Comments on: A Spectacular Breakdown of the Law of Averages http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:49:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-16129 Clifford Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:40:36 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-16129 I miss it too. ;-) -cvj I miss it too. ;-)

-cvj

]]> By: Brunsli http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-16128 Brunsli Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:38:28 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-16128 Clifford, You haven't changed. I miss your overly-analytical outlook on life. :) Clifford, You haven’t changed. I miss your overly-analytical outlook on life. :)

]]> By: Samantha http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15827 Samantha Fri, 24 Mar 2006 21:26:54 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15827 #17 This has actually happened to me. I was at a fancy dress party (hosted by my house-mate, a physicist), and was chatting to some chap in chains and asked him (politely) what he had come as. A blue movie star, he said. I said (wisely) ah, and what do you do in real life? There was an awkward silence and he said, well I'm a (gay) blue movie star. And there was nothing, nothing I could say to that. Nothing. #17 This has actually happened to me. I was at a fancy dress party (hosted by my house-mate, a physicist), and was chatting to some chap in chains and asked him (politely) what he had come as. A blue movie star, he said. I said (wisely) ah, and what do you do in real life? There was an awkward silence and he said, well I’m a (gay) blue movie star. And there was nothing, nothing I could say to that. Nothing.

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15785 Clifford Fri, 24 Mar 2006 05:20:21 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15785 AstroCook:- Thanks! -cvj AstroCook:-

Thanks!

-cvj

]]> By: AstroCook http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15782 AstroCook Fri, 24 Mar 2006 04:35:38 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15782 I would leave it to you to find the non-average things in a seemingly average life, though. many people would ignore such treats. =) I just remember the story you told about the young girl on the bus. Most people might just ignore that sort of thing! Props. =) I would leave it to you to find the non-average things in a seemingly average life, though. many people would ignore such treats. =)

I just remember the story you told about the young girl on the bus. Most people might just ignore that sort of thing! Props. =)

]]> By: Arun http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15778 Arun Fri, 24 Mar 2006 02:57:01 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15778 Clifford, I think the law of averages doesn't work in your case, whether it be in the bus or on the plane. Clifford, I think the law of averages doesn’t work in your case, whether it be in the bus or on the plane.

]]> By: Plato http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15774 Plato Thu, 23 Mar 2006 23:03:48 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15774 Maybe Sourav you could commet sometime on the Cerenkov radiation and what is expected from ICECUBE? thanks Maybe Sourav you could commet sometime on the Cerenkov radiation and what is expected from ICECUBE?

thanks

]]> By: Sourav http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15773 Sourav Thu, 23 Mar 2006 22:48:47 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15773 Clifford, Sorry if my facetiousness was not apparent. However, I <em>am</em> frustrated by narrow coach seating -- my shoulders don't fit. (We have not met, but I did enjoy <em>D-Branes</em>.) Best, Sourav Clifford,

Sorry if my facetiousness was not apparent. However, I am frustrated by narrow coach seating — my shoulders don’t fit.

(We have not met, but I did enjoy D-Branes.)

Best,

Sourav

]]> By: Sleepless in Louisville | Cosmic Variance http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15770 Sleepless in Louisville | Cosmic Variance Thu, 23 Mar 2006 22:20:00 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15770 [...] Sean « A Spectacular Breakdown of the Law of Averages      [...] [...] Sean « A Spectacular Breakdown of the Law of Averages      [...]

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15768 Clifford Thu, 23 Mar 2006 22:18:48 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15768 John Doe (comment #1):- In fact, they were returning to Canada (Montreal), which is where she'd moved to from France, and I assumed it was Cirque du Soleil, but did not ask. Hmmmmm, maybe they are agressively recruiting physicists indeed! Sourav:- I've never met you (unless you're that guy). I was talking about that guy, (or the collective ones I've encountered) and nobody else. Adam:- "Better to go down laden with cheese....".... LOL! Cheers, -cvj John Doe (comment #1):- In fact, they were returning to Canada (Montreal), which is where she’d moved to from France, and I assumed it was Cirque du Soleil, but did not ask. Hmmmmm, maybe they are agressively recruiting physicists indeed!

Sourav:- I’ve never met you (unless you’re that guy). I was talking about that guy, (or the collective ones I’ve encountered) and nobody else.

Adam:- “Better to go down laden with cheese….”…. LOL!

Cheers,

-cvj

]]> By: Elliot http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15766 Elliot Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:42:03 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15766 You could always say you are writing a play/screenplay :) about mathemeticians physicists and are doing research and you just happen to have a character that is an attractive french woman. You could always say you are writing a play/screenplay :) about mathemeticians physicists and are doing research and you just happen to have a character that is an attractive french woman.

]]> By: adam http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15765 adam Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:33:11 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15765 If they made it from physicist parts it could have Absence of Social Graces superpowers, for a start. Like Dick Cheney with a smiley painted face and intent on Unifying the Fields in order to achieve Total World Domination. If they made it from physicist parts it could have Absence of Social Graces superpowers, for a start. Like Dick Cheney with a smiley painted face and intent on Unifying the Fields in order to achieve Total World Domination.

]]> By: JustAnotherInfidel http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15760 JustAnotherInfidel Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:30:22 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15760 You could always tell people you're a gay porn star, and then say "Nah I'm just kidding...I'm actually a theoretical physicist." I'm just sayin...it's worked before. You could always tell people you’re a gay porn star, and then say “Nah I’m just kidding…I’m actually a theoretical physicist.” I’m just sayin…it’s worked before.

]]> By: Plato http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15758 Plato Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:25:42 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15758 President of OWA I presume? I never thought of it like that before adam. Scary:) Rival to King KOng holding the beautiful girl while being shot at? Larger then life, primitive emotions kind of thing? President of OWA I presume?

I never thought of it like that before adam. Scary:)

Rival to King KOng holding the beautiful girl while being shot at? Larger then life, primitive emotions kind of thing?

]]> By: Sourav http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15757 Sourav Thu, 23 Mar 2006 20:58:28 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15757 Rare events are common. :) And, I take offense to being characterized as a "leaky" airline passenger -- those seats are designed for anorexic midgets from the 1970s! Rare events are common. :)

And, I take offense to being characterized as a “leaky” airline passenger — those seats are designed for anorexic midgets from the 1970s!

]]> By: adam http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15755 adam Thu, 23 Mar 2006 20:51:21 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15755 This is all beside the point. If they build a Superclown, who knows what will happen? It could be the End Of The World. This is all beside the point. If they build a Superclown, who knows what will happen? It could be the End Of The World.

]]> By: Plato http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15753 Plato Thu, 23 Mar 2006 20:17:04 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15753 Mortician.....maybe just shoot the breeze and ask what kind of sabersaw he has, or any other kind of implements of the trade that he might use? :) As far as genius's go, skill's of the trade, maybe? :) "They" (is large population presented) can certainly do other things. Joanne, the drain engineering, or "painting the deck" by Clifford. Chef's capabilities let's not forget. Where's the degree? :) So "reverse scenario" that the lawn guy "is" actually interested in flowers and plants, then the science of the person? Naw! The "pizza guy" and Sean always comes to mind. They/I, mean well. Have the same deeper motivaton about life? People are no different no matter what kind of "hat" they wear? Right? Or, are they? Careful, least I show you Math/physics people are human too :) Mortician…..maybe just shoot the breeze and ask what kind of sabersaw he has, or any other kind of implements of the trade that he might use? :)

As far as genius’s go, skill’s of the trade, maybe? :)

“They” (is large population presented) can certainly do other things. Joanne, the drain engineering, or “painting the deck” by Clifford. Chef’s capabilities let’s not forget. Where’s the degree? :)

So “reverse scenario” that the lawn guy “is” actually interested in flowers and plants, then the science of the person? Naw!

The “pizza guy” and Sean always comes to mind. They/I, mean well. Have the same deeper motivaton about life?

People are no different no matter what kind of “hat” they wear? Right? Or, are they? Careful, least I show you Math/physics people are human too :)

]]> By: citrine http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15746 citrine Thu, 23 Mar 2006 18:17:15 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15746 Yeah, those of us in Physics/ Math have it pretty bad when it comes to answering the inevitable "what do you do"? However, I think we have it over the beleaguered souls who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to pursuits such as ....ummmm .... Gyneacology and Proctology. Also, I wonder what kind of responses Morticians get when they announce their line of work? Yeah, those of us in Physics/ Math have it pretty bad when it comes to answering the inevitable “what do you do”? However, I think we have it over the beleaguered souls who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to pursuits such as ….ummmm …. Gyneacology and Proctology. Also, I wonder what kind of responses Morticians get when they announce their line of work?

]]> By: Supernova http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15743 Supernova Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:57:57 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15743 I have somewhat the opposite problem: people tend to be overly excited when they find out I'm an astronomer, often to the point of ignoring or even subtly denigrating other people in the conversation. My husband calls it the "That's nice" effect, in reference to all the times that someone we've just met, after waxing poetic about how much they loved astronomy as a kid, has asked him what he does and, on hearing "rhetoric" has responded, "Oh, that's... nice..." (once even, "It's good that someone's doing that"). What bothers me even more is the people who think that those of us who study physics/astronomy must be inscrutable geniuses far beyond the comprehension of most mere mortals. Last time I went to DC for an NSF review panel, I stayed in a very nice B&B run by a wonderful friendly woman who nonetheless let me eat breakfast every morning in silent solitude because (I eventually discovered) she figured I'd rather be left alone with my grand thoughts than socialize with someone like her. As someone who believes such attitudes are a big part of physics' PR problem and largely our fault to begin with, I found this truly dismaying and obsessed for days over what I might have said or done to seem arrogant or dismissive. We have a long way to go in this culture struggle! I have somewhat the opposite problem: people tend to be overly excited when they find out I’m an astronomer, often to the point of ignoring or even subtly denigrating other people in the conversation. My husband calls it the “That’s nice” effect, in reference to all the times that someone we’ve just met, after waxing poetic about how much they loved astronomy as a kid, has asked him what he does and, on hearing “rhetoric” has responded, “Oh, that’s… nice…” (once even, “It’s good that someone’s doing that”).

What bothers me even more is the people who think that those of us who study physics/astronomy must be inscrutable geniuses far beyond the comprehension of most mere mortals. Last time I went to DC for an NSF review panel, I stayed in a very nice B&B run by a wonderful friendly woman who nonetheless let me eat breakfast every morning in silent solitude because (I eventually discovered) she figured I’d rather be left alone with my grand thoughts than socialize with someone like her. As someone who believes such attitudes are a big part of physics’ PR problem and largely our fault to begin with, I found this truly dismaying and obsessed for days over what I might have said or done to seem arrogant or dismissive. We have a long way to go in this culture struggle!

]]> By: Jeff Hodges http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/a-spectacular-breakdown-of-the-law-of-averages/#comment-15736 Jeff Hodges Thu, 23 Mar 2006 16:24:48 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/03/23/713/#comment-15736 Andrew: I've crafted a <a href="http://somethingsimilar.com/wordpress/2006/02/13/defeating-the-physics-face/" rel="nofollow">half-way decent response</a> to the Physics face. Andrew: I’ve crafted a half-way decent response to the Physics face.

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