Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Pie Chart

Via IFLS

A Scientific Proposal

How to read a scientific journal report:
  1. Avoid reading the whole thing. That will put you to sleep.
  2. Read title. (If interesting, continue.)
  3. Read abstract. (If interesting, continue.)
  4. Look at graph
  5. Read conclusion (If interesting or suspicious, read the body of the report.)

Via Science is Beauty (with lots more good stuff ) and IFLS

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Higgs Boson and the End of the Universe


We humans have been talking about the Big Bang for some time. The story we tell explains the beginning of the universe. Usually, we gloss over the part about it being impossible. That, as I understand it, is the excitement behind the Higgs Boson. The Higgs Boson suggests a storyline that makes the Big Bang possible.

Unfortunately, within a year of its discovery, the Higgs Boson folks have been doing some thinking. Fresh from declaring the beginning of the universe possible, they have now noticed that so is the end.

Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds, who adds his usual practical application.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

A Boy in Philidelphia


Anthony Esolen does some thinking about boys in Philadelphia, where about half the kids drop out between grade 9 and graduation, more if they are black or Hispanic boys. He imagines the letter one might write about his situation and how well society has served him. He sounds angry.
Our government has failed to admit that its own selfishness is the root of many societal problems it has tried to address.