Comments on: Shopping, Sightseeing, Science http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:01:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: More Future Scientists Revealed! - Asymptotia http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-118461 More Future Scientists Revealed! - Asymptotia Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:41:03 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-118461 [...] This year I was unable to do so due to a trip across the Atlantic concerning the birth of my sister’s son (details of the london trip here, here, here and here; Last link has a fun trip to Harrods and to the Science Museum). But my USC colleague Chris Gould -the chief organisational engine behind the fair- has prepared hundreds of photographs again, and you can go and have a look here, and see some of the project descriptions also. [...] [...] This year I was unable to do so due to a trip across the Atlantic concerning the birth of my sister’s son (details of the london trip here, here, here and here; Last link has a fun trip to Harrods and to the Science Museum). But my USC colleague Chris Gould -the chief organisational engine behind the fair- has prepared hundreds of photographs again, and you can go and have a look here, and see some of the project descriptions also. [...]

]]> By: Big Ears | Cosmic Variance http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-27348 Big Ears | Cosmic Variance Sat, 27 May 2006 00:15:07 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-27348 [...] I was put in mind of it last week when I popped over to London to play the role of uncle, wander the streets for a bit, do a bit of sightseeing, and hemorrhage a bit of money. I was all prepared to be annoyed by the Guardian, which was once my favourite newspapers, since I had not seen it very often since they (lamentably) made major modifications to the format. As it turned out, I did not get annoyed too much, although I would prefer it if they took it back to the correct size for a respectable newspaper. It still has a lot of news and good writing in it, and I am led to understand that the huge amount of football-related stuff in it is a passing phase because there is some sort of contest going on in Germany of some relevance. (Um… that would be “soccer”, you folks over on the extreme left hand side with the funny shaped ball.) [...] [...] I was put in mind of it last week when I popped over to London to play the role of uncle, wander the streets for a bit, do a bit of sightseeing, and hemorrhage a bit of money. I was all prepared to be annoyed by the Guardian, which was once my favourite newspapers, since I had not seen it very often since they (lamentably) made major modifications to the format. As it turned out, I did not get annoyed too much, although I would prefer it if they took it back to the correct size for a respectable newspaper. It still has a lot of news and good writing in it, and I am led to understand that the huge amount of football-related stuff in it is a passing phase because there is some sort of contest going on in Germany of some relevance. (Um… that would be “soccer”, you folks over on the extreme left hand side with the funny shaped ball.) [...]

]]> By: Danger in London’s Science Museum | Cosmic Variance http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26947 Danger in London’s Science Museum | Cosmic Variance Thu, 25 May 2006 16:59:15 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26947 [...] This was spotted on my very enjoyable visit to the Science Muesum on Sunday, described earlier. I am disturbed by this picture for several reasons. Click on it and read the text surrounding the picture. I am not even complaining about the fact that this picture -in prominent display in the spaceflight part of the London Science Museum- contains a lot of silly science fiction nonsense about warp drive (it is right next to a model of the Starship Enterprize) - this stuff has no place in an otherwise excellent display of real science, in my opinion. [...] [...] This was spotted on my very enjoyable visit to the Science Muesum on Sunday, described earlier. I am disturbed by this picture for several reasons. Click on it and read the text surrounding the picture. I am not even complaining about the fact that this picture -in prominent display in the spaceflight part of the London Science Museum- contains a lot of silly science fiction nonsense about warp drive (it is right next to a model of the Starship Enterprize) - this stuff has no place in an otherwise excellent display of real science, in my opinion. [...]

]]> By: cynic http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26510 cynic Wed, 24 May 2006 06:47:04 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26510 Lovely photos, Clifford. Have you checked out the Museo di Storia della Scienza, in the Piazza de' Giudici, Florence? And the neighbouring shops are way cool, too. Retail therapy for the discerning dilettante; Galileo and Gucci within spitting distance of each other. Lovely photos, Clifford. Have you checked out the Museo di Storia della Scienza, in the Piazza de’ Giudici, Florence? And the neighbouring shops are way cool, too. Retail therapy for the discerning dilettante; Galileo and Gucci within spitting distance of each other.

]]> By: Travis http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26109 Travis Tue, 23 May 2006 22:37:49 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26109 IrrationalPoint, I really enjoyed the the History of Science Museum as well. I can't say it brought me back to anything, but maybe in the future it will be responsible for giving me that kind of feeling. The best part of the museum was my complete surprise in finding it. Earlier this month, while visiting CERN for the first time I went into Geneva and walked around pretty randomly, and while making my way along Rue de Lausanne I simply stumbled upon it. It was also a nice surprise finding the Antiquités Scientifiques shop in the old town. Lots of nice brass things to look at. IrrationalPoint,
I really enjoyed the the History of Science Museum as well. I can’t say it brought me back to anything, but maybe in the future it will be responsible for giving me that kind of feeling.

The best part of the museum was my complete surprise in finding it. Earlier this month, while visiting CERN for the first time I went into Geneva and walked around pretty randomly, and while making my way along Rue de Lausanne I simply stumbled upon it.
It was also a nice surprise finding the Antiquités Scientifiques shop in the old town. Lots of nice brass things to look at.

]]> By: Science http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26108 Science Tue, 23 May 2006 22:28:24 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26108 Mike and IP, See the physics paper http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~kovar/hall.html "Conclusion "Going into physics was the biggest mistake of my life. I should've declared CS. I still wouldn't have any women, but at least I'd be rolling in cash." So don't try to do new physics for money, fame and women. There are deeper reasons: searching for the meaning of everything, the missing pieces of the mathematical jigsaw between classical physics (GR and Maxwell) and quantum field theory. Even if nobody wants your ideas, at least you get a fulfilment from the enthusiasm when you think you have an advance. The excitement inspires you to try to learn more and that can't be a bad thing. Mike and IP,

See the physics paper http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~kovar/hall.html

“Conclusion

“Going into physics was the biggest mistake of my life. I should’ve declared CS. I still wouldn’t have any women, but at least I’d be rolling in cash.”

So don’t try to do new physics for money, fame and women. There are deeper reasons: searching for the meaning of everything, the missing pieces of the mathematical jigsaw between classical physics (GR and Maxwell) and quantum field theory.

Even if nobody wants your ideas, at least you get a fulfilment from the enthusiasm when you think you have an advance. The excitement inspires you to try to learn more and that can’t be a bad thing.

]]> By: adam http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26106 adam Tue, 23 May 2006 22:09:12 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26106 Hey, I met my wife in the physics department. Hey, I met my wife in the physics department.

]]> By: IrrationalPoint http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26101 IrrationalPoint Tue, 23 May 2006 21:35:07 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26101 I love the History of Science Museum in Geneva ...takes me back to many fond memories of the days when I was just a little geeklet.... <blockquote>'What about the fame? The fame associated with being the next Einstein? What about the fortune? What about the girls?!? '</blockquote> I think if you decide that your calling in life is to search for girls, the physics department may not be your best bet, lol. --IP I love the History of Science Museum in Geneva …takes me back to many fond memories of the days when I was just a little geeklet….

‘What about the fame? The fame associated with being the next Einstein? What about the fortune? What about the girls?!? ‘

I think if you decide that your calling in life is to search for girls, the physics department may not be your best bet, lol.

–IP

]]> By: Mike http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26099 Mike Tue, 23 May 2006 21:13:53 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26099 What about the fame? The fame associated with being the next Einstein? What about the fortune? What about the girls?!? What about the fame? The fame associated with being the next Einstein? What about the fortune? What about the girls?!?

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26098 Clifford Tue, 23 May 2006 21:01:02 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26098 Sigh. Hi Mike, (1) There is way more to life than solving problems in physics. (2) Also, looking at other aspects of life brings fresh insight into physics (and other science) problems. (3) Also, learning about the history of physics (and other science) teaches a lot about physics problems today. Best, -cvj Sigh.

Hi Mike,

(1) There is way more to life than solving problems in physics.

(2) Also, looking at other aspects of life brings fresh insight into physics (and other science) problems.

(3) Also, learning about the history of physics (and other science) teaches a lot about physics problems today.

Best,

-cvj

]]> By: Mike http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26095 Mike Tue, 23 May 2006 20:24:49 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26095 Come on, folks! Time's a wasting! There are problems in physics and in our understanding of the universe! Maintain your focus! Come on, folks! Time’s a wasting! There are problems in physics and in our understanding of the universe! Maintain your focus!

]]> By: adam http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26081 adam Tue, 23 May 2006 17:23:59 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26081 I bet Harrods sells blackboards, which would surely be more valuable if they were covered in string theory calculations. I bet Harrods sells blackboards, which would surely be more valuable if they were covered in string theory calculations.

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26077 Clifford Tue, 23 May 2006 16:27:44 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26077 Heh... You mean I could have Arkady to come shopping with me in Harvey Nichols and Harrods? <em> Why didn't I think of that!? </em> -cvj Heh… You mean I could have Arkady to come shopping with me in Harvey Nichols and Harrods? Why didn’t I think of that!?

-cvj

]]> By: adam http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26076 adam Tue, 23 May 2006 16:24:08 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26076 I bet Arkady Tseytlin was at work on Sunday. I bet Arkady Tseytlin was at work on Sunday.

]]> By: citrine http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-26071 citrine Tue, 23 May 2006 15:11:07 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-26071 Clifford, Looks like you had a great time exploring that part of the universe! As far as clothes go, you could note down the high quality garments in the upscale stores and look for deals on the same stuff on e-bay. I use this method to get books, clothes, shoes, etc. online at big discounts. Clifford,

Looks like you had a great time exploring that part of the universe! As far as clothes go, you could note down the high quality garments in the upscale stores and look for deals on the same stuff on e-bay. I use this method to get books, clothes, shoes, etc. online at big discounts.

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-25983 Clifford Tue, 23 May 2006 12:48:54 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-25983 Hi, No. And definitely not on a Sunday! No, this visit really was just an unscheduled hop to London for the <a href="http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/18/the-tea-tastes-great-so-i-must-be-in/" rel="nofollow">aforementioned reasons</a>. No professional physics visiting involved. In fact, I'm back in LA now. -cvj Hi,

No. And definitely not on a Sunday! No, this visit really was just an unscheduled hop to London for the aforementioned reasons. No professional physics visiting involved. In fact, I’m back in LA now.

-cvj

]]> By: adam http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-25937 adam Tue, 23 May 2006 12:22:46 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-25937 Have you been visiting the String Theorists in the Imperial Theory Group, Clifford? Have you been visiting the String Theorists in the Imperial Theory Group, Clifford?

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-25879 Clifford Tue, 23 May 2006 06:16:21 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-25879 Oh, my goodness....just had to be the first to make fun of myself here: An earlier version of the first paragraph (written in a jetlag haze.... bad idea) was very poorly written! Made me sound like a schlocky vampire character....maybe something out of an Anne Rice novel. Have since restored it to my more normal level of, uh.... craziness. -cvj Oh, my goodness….just had to be the first to make fun of myself here: An earlier version of the first paragraph (written in a jetlag haze…. bad idea) was very poorly written! Made me sound like a schlocky vampire character….maybe something out of an Anne Rice novel. Have since restored it to my more normal level of, uh…. craziness.

-cvj

]]> By: Clifford http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-25862 Clifford Tue, 23 May 2006 01:55:25 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-25862 No, I have not been there. I will try to go next time. Thanks! -cvj No, I have not been there. I will try to go next time. Thanks!

-cvj

]]> By: Travis http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/05/22/shopping-sightseeing-science/#comment-25861 Travis Tue, 23 May 2006 01:53:40 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=834#comment-25861 I love the old brass instruments. I have not been to London, but when I do I will have to make sure to visit the London Science Museum. While it is certainly a much, much smaller and less glamorous museum, have you been to the History of Science Museum in Geneva? It has a nice collection of instruments, and is located in the Villa Bartholoni which is worth visiting in its own right. I love the old brass instruments. I have not been to London, but when I do I will have to make sure to visit the London Science Museum.

While it is certainly a much, much smaller and less glamorous museum, have you been to the History of Science Museum in Geneva? It has a nice collection of instruments, and is located in the Villa Bartholoni which is worth visiting in its own right.

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