Some light reading for fellow science fiction junkies

amisnewmapsofhellAt last: I’ve got an author index of my science fiction reviews here at The Finch and Pea. If you compulsively read vintage science fiction like me (my interests mostly fall in the ~1945 to 1986 range), then you may just find something to your liking here.

Why vintage science fiction? It is a literature that has a lot to say about our culture’s relationship with science and technology, one that has developed some striking metaphors for science and nature.

Over the last few years I’ve managed roughly 30 reviews, fewer than I’d hoped, but not too shabby. Up next is a series on Big Dumb Object science fiction, already begun with Rendezvous with Rama. Coming up soon will be a discussion of Niven’s Ringworld, Varley’s Titan, Bob Shaw’s Orbitsville, Greg Bear’s Eon, and finally, once I finish working my way through the Polish original, Lem’s Solaris. Continue reading “Some light reading for fellow science fiction junkies”

How to reference a rejected paper on your CV

From Rob Phillips’ list of publications on his lab website:

A First Exposure to Statistical Mechanics for Life Scientists. (with Hernan G. Garcia, Jane’ Kondev, Nigel Orme and Julie A. Theriot), Rejected by Am. J. Phys., 2007. [online full text]

The paper itself is a great read, with some important ideas for anyone who thinks about how to incorporate more quantitative/physical concepts into our program of biology education. It also tells you that stat mech is almost effortless once you understand the Boltzmann distribution: Continue reading “How to reference a rejected paper on your CV”

STEAM = Robot poetry dioramas

Yes, interactive robot poetry dioramas (by MindShift). I went to high school in the wrong decade. Though, I did once have an animatronic element on my Science Fair board (studying circadian rhythm in gerbils).

*Hat tip to SpongeLab.

The Art of Science: Engineering Nature

orb
The Orb of Tranquility, 2012
Photo by Pete Duvall

Michael Enn Sirvet is a sculptor, a nature lover and structural engineer. All of these come together in his work in wood, plastic and metal, which he says are “inspired by chaotic and yet uniform naturally occurring patterns, and the technology and industry which mimic them.”

This 2012 sculpture, The Orb of Tranquility, is made up of two aluminum dishes with multiple holes and an LED light source between them.  Its name and shape evoke the moon, stars and planets.  Its intricately patterned surface, however, may be more reminiscent of atoms, molecules, or dividing cells.

Although his work is based in nature, industrial materials and technology form an intrinsic part of Sirvet’s sculpture. “The most organic of my sculptures are industrial, and the most engineered of my pieces reflect primitive natural calm.”

You can see more of Michael Enn Sirvet’s work at his website.

Sometimes, “Girls with Slingshots” is a science comic…

Girls with Slingshots #358 by Danielle Corsetto (All Rights Reserved - Used & Adapted with Permission)
Girls with Slingshots #358 by Danielle Corsetto (All Rights Reserved – Used & Adapted with Permission)

This one goes back to November 2007, but I recently rediscovered a lovely bit of science humor and art from Danielle Corsetto in her wonderful comic strip Girls with Slingshots. As an added bonus, note that Hazel wins for “Most Sophisticated” costume, not “Nerdiest”.

The actual strip feature no real nudity, but, if your workplace or conservative christian dominated place of residence objects to pseudo-nudity, you may want click through in a private location.*

You can follow Danielle on Twitter.

*Girls with Slingshots is very funny, poignant, and has strong sexual themes. So, some employers may not want you browsing there on your work computer