Comments on: Vacation! And a Small Competition http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:53:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Why Study Physics? - The Results | Cosmic Variance http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17049 Why Study Physics? - The Results | Cosmic Variance Sun, 18 Jun 2006 17:27:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17049 [...] It’s about time I reported on the small competition I initiated before my last trip. As a reminder, I said I'd like to construct a Letterman-like top ten list of reasons why undecided college students should seriously consider physics as their choice of undergraduate major. An important ground rule is that it is not my assumption that anyone choosing to become a physics major would intend to later go to graduate school and become a professional physicist, although they might. [...] […] It’s about time I reported on the small competition I initiated before my last trip. As a reminder, I said I’d like to construct a Letterman-like top ten list of reasons why undecided college students should seriously consider physics as their choice of undergraduate major. An important ground rule is that it is not my assumption that anyone choosing to become a physics major would intend to later go to graduate school and become a professional physicist, although they might. […]

]]> By: Cosmic Variance http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17048 Cosmic Variance Sun, 18 Jun 2006 17:23:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17048 <strong>Why Study Physics? - The Results</strong> I’m currently in England to attend the annual meeting of the Editorial Board of New Journal of Physics. I flew in on Thursday morning, watched England scrape a win against Trinidad & Tobago with friends in a pub in London that afternoon and... Why Study Physics? - The Results

I’m currently in England to attend the annual meeting of the Editorial Board of New Journal of Physics. I flew in on Thursday morning, watched England scrape a win against Trinidad & Tobago with friends in a pub in London that afternoon and…

]]> By: Elliot http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17046 Elliot Sun, 11 Jun 2006 02:07:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17046 oops...I guess I fell into the old stereotypes myself...my bad. oops…I guess I fell into the old stereotypes myself…my bad.

]]> By: citrine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17047 citrine Sat, 10 Jun 2006 22:43:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17047 Elliot, A few of us prefer, as a formal outfit, a jacket + skirt = (business) suit over tweed sports coat and slacks. :) Elliot,

A few of us prefer, as a formal outfit, a jacket + skirt = (business) suit over tweed sports coat and slacks. :)

]]> By: Elliot http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17045 Elliot Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:36:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17045 twaters, I believe physicsts don't need any suits. Just a tweed sports coat and slacks. twaters,

I believe physicsts don’t need any suits. Just a tweed sports coat and slacks.

]]> By: Say Lee http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17044 Say Lee Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:33:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17044 Then there is econophysics ... Then there is econophysics …

]]> By: citrine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17043 citrine Thu, 08 Jun 2006 17:58:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17043 candace, It seems to me (based on the experiences of several female Physics friends and my own as well) that the converse you pondered upon hold true at a significantly lower rate. In fact, if I want to get rid of a guy in a social situation I tell him that I teach Physics. (And I have it on good authority that I'm not by any means ugly, malodorous or in other way disagreeable.) candace,

It seems to me (based on the experiences of several female Physics friends and my own as well) that the converse you pondered upon hold true at a significantly lower rate.

In fact, if I want to get rid of a guy in a social situation I tell him that I teach Physics. (And I have it on good authority that I’m not by any means ugly, malodorous or in other way disagreeable.)

]]> By: candace http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17042 candace Thu, 08 Jun 2006 11:46:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17042 Because... Chicks dig physicists. This is supported by reams of evidence, from Einstein to Schroedinger to Feynman, not to mention a pub conversation last night where someone I'd just met declared that she'd only date physicists and musicians. What was the first thing I noticed about my husband when we met? His astrophysics degree. I'm working on my own physics degree, despite the fact that I'm not sure if it works the other way around -- oh well. But the reason I do it is not for the allure, it's more for the power trip. No other intellectual pursuit in my life has brought me so low, or lifted me so high. I'm in it for the ultimate thrill of pursuit. Because…
Chicks dig physicists.

This is supported by reams of evidence, from Einstein to Schroedinger to Feynman, not to mention a pub conversation last night where someone I’d just met declared that she’d only date physicists and musicians.

What was the first thing I noticed about my husband when we met? His astrophysics degree.

I’m working on my own physics degree, despite the fact that I’m not sure if it works the other way around — oh well. But the reason I do it is not for the allure, it’s more for the power trip. No other intellectual pursuit in my life has brought me so low, or lifted me so high. I’m in it for the ultimate thrill of pursuit.

]]> By: Joe http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17041 Joe Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:20:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17041 When people say about some task "It's hardly rocket science", you can respond with, "Yes, if it was, then it would be easy!". When people say about some task “It’s hardly rocket science”, you can respond with, “Yes, if it was, then it would be easy!”.

]]> By: citrine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17040 citrine Thu, 08 Jun 2006 04:26:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/06/03/vacation-and-a-small-competition/#comment-17040 Attributes that would be seen as deficiencies in most people (lack of fashion sense, sub-par social skills etc.) confer a sort of reverse prestige on physicists. When you are referred to as a nuclear physicist or rocket scientist, it may not be a mere figure of speech. Attributes that would be seen as deficiencies in most people (lack of fashion sense, sub-par social skills etc.) confer a sort of reverse prestige on physicists.

When you are referred to as a nuclear physicist or rocket scientist, it may not be a mere figure of speech.

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