To me, the take home message from David Brooks’ article “What You’ll Do Next” and Tyler Cowen’s follow-on comment is that “Big Data” is a potentially useful tool, but alone it is not a coherent or inspiring approach to life.
Tag: Linkonomicon
“Take a Chance on Me”, only for suckers that can’t do a Punnett Square
Physicist Sara Callori uses Punnett squares to try to figure out who Sophie’s father really is in Abba’s Mamma Mia?.
One of the interesting implications of her approach is that our expectations would changes with each new casting of the musical.
Science “Fair?”
As a science-y spouse of a secondary school biology teacher, I’ve judged my share of science fairs. I have routinely struggled with the judging criteria. In one case, my wife rewrote the judging rubric being used to focus on how well the student implemented the scientific method, not superficial elements. I often struggled with being asked to give points for “importance” or “novel research”. These are high school/middle school science fairs. You want curiosity. And screw “novel”. Reproducibility and retesting are part of science too. I would leave glowing notes complimenting students even though the judging criteria wouldn’t let me give them top scores because, for example, parts of their board presentation were hand written.
The previous paragraph was an incoherent ramble. For a very coherent discussion of Science Fair issues, especially reinforcing privilege and excluding disadvantaged students, you need to read Erin Salter’s “Science fairs: rewarding talent or privilege?” at PLoS’s Sci-Ed blog.
The nominal purpose of science fairs is to promote student-led inquiry and give kids hands-on experience with the scientific method. Much of our science education centers on the “product” of science – established laws, facts, and theories…Student-led projects (like those done for the science fair) are one way to incorporate open-ended inquiry into education.
However, the rewards system of the science fair is flawed. There is no equity of access to lab facilities and equipment or access to scientific mentors, meaning some students are disadvantaged from the start…the students who win these science fairs will often be the ones with the best access. – Erin Salter
Crowdfund it?
Need money for your research project? Then someone has probably suggested “crowdfunding” as a solution. But, what does that really mean? Is it really a good solution? How would you actually implement it?
I’m certain that experts in this area will find issues with the document, but what is of real interest is the academic institution taking an active role in trying to help their faculty and students navigate waters that are much trickier and more complex than many realize. In particular, they are providing guidance with how to use crowdfunding within their organization, which will vary from place to place.
There is also a flowchart. Internet, you love flowcharts.
*Hat tip to Steven Roberts.
Economic Regions
Physicist Dirk Brockman used data on dollar bill movements to identify economic regions.
While the physical transfer of cash may no longer represent our economic activity as well as it once did, it is still interesting stuff. I do quibble with the concept that the economic activity regions correspond to “states” (Brockman is German). I also think information on direction of flow is extremely important. I am happy to see that the concept of “The Carolinas” is apparently real and that Ohio State fans express their dislike of Michigan with their wallets too.
*Hat tip to Jennifer Ouellette.
The Finch and Pea 