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Open questions in science
Some time ago, I wanted to do a PhD, but I never did. I couldn't seem to find that one topic that would truly inspire me, that would capture my attention for at least three years, and possibly up to seven. I knew that if I chose the wrong subject, or even the wrong institute, the odds of my completing it would be drastically reduced. I discovered ( Read more... ) -
UK Space Conference 2011
The UK now has it's own shiny new space agency, and they're about to hold their first conference. There were already several space conferences in the UK each year, but now the UKSA is hosting this one some people expect it will absorb some of the others ( Read more... ) -
Identity
Identity is a funny thing, and here I mean the way in which we think of ourselves; who we feel we identify as, or with. Let's say you meet a bunch of people in the pub, and ask them where they're from. One person says "London", and another says "Russia". Perhaps a third says "up North" or "down South" depending on where the pub is. My belief is ( Read more... ) -
Boycott the UK census because of the war in Iraq ... what?
I just encountered a rather curious article in the Financial Times. I'd post a link, but FT.com articles are only available to registered users and subscribers and I don't want to link to something behind a paywall. In short, it's about somebody objecting to the upcoming recent UK census on the grounds that the automated reading of the census forms ( Read more... ) -
Riding a laserbeam into space
Back when I was 17, I went through the process of applying for university courses. I knew I wanted to study Physics with a specialization in a space related field, but at the time it wasn't really clear to me what the difference between "astrophysics" and "space science/technology" was. Somebody, and I confess I have sadly forgotten who, explained ( Read more... ) -
In case of emergency
I have one of those standard "In case of emergency" posters in my office. You know the sort, with phone numbers for first aid, security, etc. I just noticed it reads ( Read more... ) -
For the fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children ( Read more... ) -
Science is Vital, not Useless
Last week, a large body of scientists held a protest in London against the proposed cuts to the UK science budget. Two of them were interviewed by the BBC, which you can see here. (not sure I can embed it directly, sorry!)
There were two things the BBC reporter said that particularly struck me when I watched it.
"Even a cursory search of the ( Read more... ) -
Energy from Music
I haven't cycled to work for a while. Or rather, I hadn't cycled to work regularly for a while, until this week. Yesterday I was thinking "dear gods, it can't really have been THAT long" as I struggled up the hill. But then I remembered: I'd forgotten my music. So today, I cycled in listening to Disturbd, Muse, NIN and so forth ... and my lord was ( Read more... )
