Comments on: Physics on the Perimeter http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:21:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Haludza http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255360 Haludza Sun, 29 Apr 2007 03:00:43 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255360 Maynard, While I'm still puzzled at your dissatisfaction with the site, I suspect that your e-mails had the misfortunate of being sent to the wrong person (even though their job title would indicate otherwise). I watched the lecture by Mark online and enjoyed it very much! As with most of their online lectures, it was there literally minutes after it had ended at PI. Maynard,

While I’m still puzzled at your dissatisfaction with the site, I suspect that your e-mails had the misfortunate of being sent to the wrong person (even though their job title would indicate otherwise).

I watched the lecture by Mark online and enjoyed it very much! As with most of their online lectures, it was there literally minutes after it had ended at PI.

]]> By: Mark http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255230 Mark Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:38:19 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255230 Maynard, my actual point is neither of the things you mention. I was just mildly amused by the idea that I would visit an institution, at their invitation, and commence criticizing them while there - that's all. I've personally never tried to deal with the online stuff from PI, and so haven't enountered any problems. If I had, I would have contacted them, but not saved it up for a discussion while visiting - that's not what the visit is for. Delivering an invited presentation at an academic institution is not the same thing as manning a booth at a trade show. Maynard, my actual point is neither of the things you mention. I was just mildly amused by the idea that I would visit an institution, at their invitation, and commence criticizing them while there - that’s all.

I’ve personally never tried to deal with the online stuff from PI, and so haven’t enountered any problems. If I had, I would have contacted them, but not saved it up for a discussion while visiting - that’s not what the visit is for. Delivering an invited presentation at an academic institution is not the same thing as manning a booth at a trade show.

]]> By: Maynard Handley http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255197 Maynard Handley Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:35:47 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255197 So, Mark, what is your actual point? * One should NEVER criticize some aspect of an organization? or * One should NEVER criticize some aspect of an organization while there in person? It's not like PI seems to do anything in response to emails. I have sent them at least two (a whole lot more polite than my rant, explaining the specific problems and how they might be fixed) to no obvious effect. Pointing out a serious issue while speaking to the people involved strikes me as a perfectly reasonable thing to do. Certainly, when I was at trade shows on behalf of my former employer, I would expect this is what people would and should do --- it was there one chance to try to influence the future directions of products they cared about and wanted improved. So, Mark, what is your actual point?
* One should NEVER criticize some aspect of an organization? or
* One should NEVER criticize some aspect of an organization while there in person?

It’s not like PI seems to do anything in response to emails. I have sent them at least two (a whole lot more polite than my rant, explaining the specific problems and how they might be fixed) to no obvious effect.
Pointing out a serious issue while speaking to the people involved strikes me as a perfectly reasonable thing to do. Certainly, when I was at trade shows on behalf of my former employer, I would expect this is what people would and should do — it was there one chance to try to influence the future directions of products they cared about and wanted improved.

]]> By: Mark http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255184 Mark Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:01:44 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255184 You got it Moshe. You got it Moshe.

]]> By: Moshe http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255180 Moshe Sat, 28 Apr 2007 16:32:55 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255180 Hey Mark, I feel cheated, next time you're at UBC I want the stand up routine also :-). Hey Mark, I feel cheated, next time you’re at UBC I want the stand up routine also :-).

]]> By: Mark http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255156 Mark Sat, 28 Apr 2007 15:23:54 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255156 Hi B - thanks. It would have been nice to meet up. Hopefully next time. Hi B - thanks. It would have been nice to meet up. Hopefully next time.

]]> By: B http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255114 B Sat, 28 Apr 2007 13:23:09 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255114 Hi Mark, sorry I didn't get to talk to you, I enjoyed your colloq - though <a href="http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2007/04/without-time.html" rel="nofollow">I was late...</a>. I find the modified source scenarios quite interesting, I've been thinking in that direction for a completely different reason, maybe I should look more into it (if I find the time that is). @ Maynard Regarding Websites: ARGH. You have to know that this is the *improved* version (it's been updated last fall). It drives me nuts! Whenever I try to link to a site it will move the next day and the link is dead. It is impossible to find a seminar, even if one knows the name of the speaker (which I hardly ever do). Not to mention that there is no sensible way to put files on the web. Whenever I complain to IT they tell me they are short on time and people and they just can't take care of all that. But sooner or later they usually address all the issues, it just takes some time... It would probably make a difference if you complain not here, but to the IT guys, just send an email, it's on the websites - if you find it ;-) Best, B. Hi Mark,

sorry I didn’t get to talk to you, I enjoyed your colloq - though I was late…. I find the modified source scenarios quite interesting, I’ve been thinking in that direction for a completely different reason, maybe I should look more into it (if I find the time that is).

@ Maynard

Regarding Websites: ARGH. You have to know that this is the *improved* version (it’s been updated last fall). It drives me nuts! Whenever I try to link to a site it will move the next day and the link is dead. It is impossible to find a seminar, even if one knows the name of the speaker (which I hardly ever do). Not to mention that there is no sensible way to put files on the web. Whenever I complain to IT they tell me they are short on time and people and they just can’t take care of all that. But sooner or later they usually address all the issues, it just takes some time…

It would probably make a difference if you complain not here, but to the IT guys, just send an email, it’s on the websites - if you find it ;-)

Best,

B.

]]> By: Mark http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-255091 Mark Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:21:34 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-255091 Yes Maynard, after my brief introduction in my talk, in which I thanked them for the invitation and the wonderful hospitality while there, I launched into a 10 minute rant about how "retarded" their they are in this way. They loved it! Said it was just what they'd been hoping for when they invited me! Also, at the end of the talk, when I could tell people were losing interest in the whole science thing, I wound up with a series of rapid-fire "Your momma's so fat, ..." jokes. They've asked me to come back for a longer visit, and I'm pretty sure it was becasue of the abuse and tough-love. Yes Maynard, after my brief introduction in my talk, in which I thanked them for the invitation and the wonderful hospitality while there, I launched into a 10 minute rant about how “retarded” their they are in this way. They loved it! Said it was just what they’d been hoping for when they invited me!

Also, at the end of the talk, when I could tell people were losing interest in the whole science thing, I wound up with a series of rapid-fire “Your momma’s so fat, …” jokes.

They’ve asked me to come back for a longer visit, and I’m pretty sure it was becasue of the abuse and tough-love.

]]> By: Haludza http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-254930 Haludza Sat, 28 Apr 2007 07:06:51 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-254930 haha, I was just about to post about how great PI was for providing archived videos of many of their colloquia and seminars (pdf, mp3, AND streaming video no less!). This is all you need Richard Hadlee! : http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/en/Scientific/Seminars/Advanced_Seminar_Search/ haha, I was just about to post about how great PI was for providing archived videos of many of their colloquia and seminars (pdf, mp3, AND streaming video no less!).

This is all you need Richard Hadlee! :
http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/en/Scientific/Seminars/Advanced_Seminar_Search/

]]> By: Maynard Handley http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-254826 Maynard Handley Sat, 28 Apr 2007 04:01:54 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-254826 Mark, did you point out to PI how completely retarded they are concerning the internet? They have no non-painful way to browse their talks, no downloads, no podcasts, nothing. It's like it was put together by a bunch of not very smart refugees from 1997. As a result, while I follow what's going on at KITP (who have a magnificently well organized internet+podcast story) pretty well, I basically ignore what's happening at PI. Now PI probably don't care what I do or don't listen to, but there probably is at least one student somewhere whose opinion does actually matter who, for the exact same reasons as me, follows KITP and ignores PI. Mark, did you point out to PI how completely retarded they are concerning the internet? They have no non-painful way to browse their talks, no downloads, no podcasts, nothing. It’s like it was put together by a bunch of not very smart refugees from 1997.

As a result, while I follow what’s going on at KITP (who have a magnificently well organized internet+podcast story) pretty well, I basically ignore what’s happening at PI. Now PI probably don’t care what I do or don’t listen to, but there probably is at least one student somewhere whose opinion does actually matter who, for the exact same reasons as me, follows KITP and ignores PI.

]]> By: Mark http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-254534 Mark Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:51:19 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-254534 A number of people have been motivated to think about modified gravity as a way to explain cosmic acceleration - a phenomenon we currently do not understand - that's the motivation. In any modified gravity theory one most certainly does have to think about the effects on black holes, the solar system, cosmic history (in fact that's the motivtion), gravitational waves, etc. People do do this and talk about it a lot. These provide many of the constraints that rule out lots of modifications. As for the geometrical basis; none of the modifications I was discussing mess that up at all. One is free to think about modifications that do - but it is a huge challenge to agree with all the data I mentioned. I don't have any idea how to do it right now. A number of people have been motivated to think about modified gravity as a way to explain cosmic acceleration - a phenomenon we currently do not understand - that’s the motivation. In any modified gravity theory one most certainly does have to think about the effects on black holes, the solar system, cosmic history (in fact that’s the motivtion), gravitational waves, etc. People do do this and talk about it a lot. These provide many of the constraints that rule out lots of modifications.

As for the geometrical basis; none of the modifications I was discussing mess that up at all. One is free to think about modifications that do - but it is a huge challenge to agree with all the data I mentioned. I don’t have any idea how to do it right now.

]]> By: Neil B. http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-254526 Neil B. Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:21:41 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-254526 Sorry, I know the poster is taking this issue and the listeners etc, so I meant it doesn't seem to get out and about in the common discussion - as kids mean by "anyone" at school etc., and that we actually hear about. Sorry, I know the poster is taking this issue and the listeners etc, so I meant it doesn’t seem to get out and about in the common discussion - as kids mean by “anyone” at school etc., and that we actually hear about.

]]> By: Neil B. http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-254524 Neil B. Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:19:30 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-254524 Modified Gravity - I gather it is pressed into consideration by peculiar observations (movements of and inside galaxies that can't even be explained by dark matter, or perhaps Pioneer 10, 11 anomalies etc.) But what is the theoretical basis? There certainly wasn't an <i>a priori</i> reason in theory to change anything, true?I thought Einstein's GR had reached a rather orthodox state, and how can it be changed to incorporate all that without undermining the particular, elegant-seeming application of the geometric basis? Why doesn't anyone (?) worry or at least talk much about the larger implications of having to change gravity theory (like, how it affects black holes, cosmic expanision and how we have evaluated it, etc.) Don't MOND etc. have a sort of tacky inelegance? It seems we don't have much dialog about this, it seems under the radar most of the time. Modified Gravity - I gather it is pressed into consideration by peculiar observations (movements of and inside galaxies that can’t even be explained by dark matter, or perhaps Pioneer 10, 11 anomalies etc.) But what is the theoretical basis? There certainly wasn’t an a priori reason in theory to change anything, true?I thought Einstein’s GR had reached a rather orthodox state, and how can it be changed to incorporate all that without undermining the particular, elegant-seeming application of the geometric basis? Why doesn’t anyone (?) worry or at least talk much about the larger implications of having to change gravity theory (like, how it affects black holes, cosmic expanision and how we have evaluated it, etc.) Don’t MOND etc. have a sort of tacky inelegance? It seems we don’t have much dialog about this, it seems under the radar most of the time.

]]> By: Angus McQuarrie http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/04/26/physics-on-the-perimeter/#comment-254385 Angus McQuarrie Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:33:51 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=1215#comment-254385 There's always a little spark in my head whenever I read in high-profile articles about Waterloo. As a student there, you hear a lot of hype about about the University, about the Perimeter Institute, the Accelerator Center, RIM in general. All in all, most of us aren't drinking the kool-aid, but it's good to hear some of the propaganda is substantiated from outside sources. There’s always a little spark in my head whenever I read in high-profile articles about Waterloo. As a student there, you hear a lot of hype about about the University, about the Perimeter Institute, the Accelerator Center, RIM in general. All in all, most of us aren’t drinking the kool-aid, but it’s good to hear some of the propaganda is substantiated from outside sources.

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