Category Archives: Uncategorized

The previous LOTRW post reflecting on science diplomacy triggered two responses that prompt this brief postscript. The first came from a social-scientist/Facebook friend via Messenger. My colleague opined: The concept of what is valid academic scholarship and research must change … Continue reading →

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Jesus (Matthew 9:37-38 NIV) Diplomacy frequently consists in soothingly saying “Nice doggie” … Continue reading →

Whistler’s Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 (you may know it by another name). File information A week ago a bout of insomnia found me web-browsing and coming across this challenge in the New York Times – Test Your Focus: … Continue reading →

Physics Today’s July 2024 issue provides the happy news, in an article authored by Timothy DelSole and Paul A. Dirmeyer. They begin in this (excerpted) vein: As senior scientists, we have navigated the challenging waters of the PhD qualifying exam—both … Continue reading →

On July 11 my InBox contained this contribution from a New York Times (subscription) service, a thoughtful piece by David Gelles entitled A.I.’s insatiable appetite for energy. He cited an interview that he and other reporters had held some weeks … Continue reading →

On June 26, Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences and Chair of the National Research Council, presented what NASEM billed as an inaugural State of the Science Address. A February press release had publicized the event this way: “Just … Continue reading →

On May 13th  the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate held a day of sessions entitled Enabling US Leadership in Artificial Intelligence for Weather. A webcast made the experience available to a … Continue reading →

Heaven, if it exists, will be made of plastic, that glowingsky space of eternity floating abovebright colors of every size from nano-to peta-chip—a kind of technicolorbeach—and we’ll waft above the seaholding on to our paragliders of plastic bags—trying to sight … Continue reading →

“A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.” – Will Rogers[1] I absolutely love this book: High Tension, FDR’s Battle to Power America, by John (“Jack”) Riggs came out in … Continue reading →

“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult … Continue reading →