2006 Was Just This Year, You Know: I lost a lot of weight, read a lot of books, taught a lot of classes, did a bit of research, and oh, yeah, I got tenure.
Dorky Poll: Favorite Tool: In the comments to the post where I noted how many more people had least favorite textbooks than favorite ones, dr. dave writes: “Textbooks… particularly SCIENCE textbooks, are not really written to be ENJOYED by anyone.”
Maryland vs. Duke: One-sentence review of this game: I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many two-foot shots missed in a Division I game.
On the Superiority of String Theory: As we look at science in general, and physics in particular, a clear pattern emerges: the scientific endeavours most worthy of praise and acclaim are the most abstract and mathematical sciences.
Undergraduate Research: Why It Works: I wrote yesterday’s post about the undergraduate research study very quickly, basically just to note the existence of the survey.
Less Dorky Poll: Pleasure Reading: I’m kind of fried this morning– it’s been a long week full of after-work events associated with the end of the year– so I’m not up to doing weighty posts about physics, so here’s a lighter discussion topic: “What’s the last non-Internet thing you read for fun?”
You Gripe About What You Know: Via PZ, a blog on biology and science fiction is griping that biology gets no respect, and links to a Jack Cohen article complaining that authors and filmmakers don’t take biology seriously.
Physics “News” Solid State Edition: I’m on vacation this week, and taking this opportunity to clear out a large backlog of news items that I flagged as interesting, but never got around to commenting on.
Arithmetic and Music (special guest-blogger post): Taking a break from all this physics, I thought I’d talk a little about music and some related mathematical coincidences.
Help School Children: DonorsChoose Fundraiser: As you may or may not remember from last year, a number of us at ScienceBlogs participated in a charity drive, raising $34,000 for the educational charity DonorsChoose.
Stephen Colbert Is Afraid of Me: Well, so are all the other Presidential hopefuls– not one of them has responded to my offer to endorse any candidate who will play me in basketball– but I particularly want to address Colbert.
Ninja Squirrel: “Fear! Fire! Foes! Awake! Fear! Fire! Foes! Awake!”