Category: Items of Interest

Best letter response. . .EVER

Charles Bennett has a beef with the wording of an article title in Science: “At long last, Gravity Probe B satellite proves Einstein right”.

I find myself frequently repeating to students and the public that science doesn’t “prove” theories. Scientific measurements can only disprove theories or be consistent with them.

Instead of going on about the philosophy of science at length, let’s just quote the spot-on quote from their response:

Bennett is completely correct. It’s an important conceptual point, and we blew it.

Bravo!

 

LEG-Orrery

Yes. I love these things. Deal.

*Hat tip to The Brothers Brick.

Jello shots

Even if we assume for the moment that I have the character complexity of an extra on Two and a Half Men, am completely defined by my job, and make sure to advertise these facts whenever I host and/or attend social gatherings – this is not how I would make jello shots. I would make them in 50 milliliter conical vials* for ease of consumption, ease of transport, durability, and making it not look like I’m feeding my guests the plague. Unless it was Halloween.

*The BD Falcon 50mL Conical Centrifuge Tube available from Fisher Scientific for only $305.80 per 500. The petri dishes are far more affordable at $206.85 per 500.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Day

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Day is an official holiday in my house. According to the calculations of Larry Granillo, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off occurred on 5 June 1985, which ironically falls on a Sunday this year.

In honor of the 26th anniversary, I give you Ferris Club*:


*If you have not seen Fight Club, you will not get this; but, if you have not seen Fight Club, that probably happens to you a lot.

The werewolves are hungry

Very hungry.

If you are like me (let’s hope not), you have wasted time wondering why werewolves traditionally act like monsters. You know, killing and eating people. Sure, there is that whole “primal nature of the beast” overwhelming “humanity” thing; but that is clearly not sufficient to explain the lycanthropic killing sprees. Aquarium sharks don’t kill all their roommates, and it is hard to get more primal than a shark. Why do sharks act in this reasonable way? Because they aren’t hungry[1]. Continue reading “The werewolves are hungry”