Why read something you don’t care for?
A minor matter of a subscription raises a point of vital importance.
Somone else’s poetry
explanation
The postures of photography
Conforming to the machine
Our photographer notices how a new technology forces our bodies into new positions.
Science and the long shot
Why new discoveries are over-hyped
We often hear of new scientific results that promise great things, especially in the health field, but then hear no more of them. Most scientific ideas don’t work out. Why, then, do we still hear the hype?
Ringing the changes
The sophisticated basis of old technology
Our astronomer spent a few years in England, where he learned something of the arcane art of ringing church bells. In the belfries of that country are wonderful examples of essentially Medieval technology that also demonstrate advanced mathematical and physical ideas.
The yellow zone vs. the idiot light
What information are you given as an operator?
Much about automobiles has changed greatly over the past decade or two. Part of it comes from different ideas of what the driver should be doing.
If it’s worth doing. . .
Why bother with tentative research?
Our astronomer ponders the state of the science in the middle of the last century, when things were so different and difficult.
What are tests for?
Several possible answers (and an essay)
One of our consultants has begun tutoring, which has brought him into contact with the world of standardized tests after many years away.
It doesn’t look like that
The universe is photoshopped
Our astronomer points out that that pictures of outer space don’t actually show what you’d see if you went there.
Unhappy with success
The Standard Model works too well
An enormous apparatus for scientific research is finding only what was expected. This bothers scientists.
The scientific cult of personality
Do electrons care about Feynman?
Our chief consultant explores an unexpected feature of scientific magazines.