Comments on: The Girl is Crafty like Ice is Cold http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:57:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: humble humanist http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-305382 humble humanist Sat, 01 Dec 2007 03:43:25 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-305382 Very cute costume! On the relative apparent technical prestige of sewing vs. astrophysics or even a circuitboard: Maybe it's because with the former, you can actually *see* or *touch* everything involved, but with the latter two, you have to assume the existence of phenomena that can't be perceived by the naked eye (electricity, dark matter, etc.). So even though the spatial reasoning is just as complicated for carrying out a sewing project, it's not as mystified. Yay, sewing geekery! Very cute costume!

On the relative apparent technical prestige of sewing vs. astrophysics or even a circuitboard: Maybe it’s because with the former, you can actually *see* or *touch* everything involved, but with the latter two, you have to assume the existence of phenomena that can’t be perceived by the naked eye (electricity, dark matter, etc.). So even though the spatial reasoning is just as complicated for carrying out a sewing project, it’s not as mystified.

Yay, sewing geekery!

]]> By: Helen http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-305171 Helen Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:05:39 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-305171 @ jason: I think it is well established that the biology and brain function of men and women is fundamentally different, though of course all humans exist on an amazingly wide spectrum of behavior, so one can't make assumptions about an individual. It is a fascinating topic - I'd love to study psychology! I used to go rockclimbing with my husband - and will again when the kids are a little older - and he likes the big, long, expedition climbs, and short, scary, exposed climbs. Endurance or strength. I prefer short, elegant climbs - actually I like toproping, because you don't have to interrupt the flow to unclip pro - for me climbing is an aesthetic pursuit, not a sport. @ jason: I think it is well established that the biology and brain function of men and women is fundamentally different, though of course all humans exist on an amazingly wide spectrum of behavior, so one can’t make assumptions about an individual. It is a fascinating topic - I’d love to study psychology!

I used to go rockclimbing with my husband - and will again when the kids are a little older - and he likes the big, long, expedition climbs, and short, scary, exposed climbs. Endurance or strength. I prefer short, elegant climbs - actually I like toproping, because you don’t have to interrupt the flow to unclip pro - for me climbing is an aesthetic pursuit, not a sport.

]]> By: JoAnne http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-304050 JoAnne Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:29:18 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-304050 NOw, that is a great looking dolphin! NOw, that is a great looking dolphin!

]]> By: Hectora http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303774 Hectora Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:56:03 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303774 "I'm not a shark, I'm a dolphin." "Candygram." “I’m not a shark, I’m a dolphin.”

“Candygram.”

]]> By: citrine http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303638 citrine Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:52:27 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303638 I read somewhere that when Dirac visited one of his friends, only the wife was home - knitting in the living room. Dirac sat across from her and intently watched the knitting for a while. (Remember that he's seeing the pattern from the reverse side.) Then he had asked "could you do it this XYZ way?" Well, there are two basic knitting methods - knitting and pearling - and he had figured out the alternate method. I read somewhere that when Dirac visited one of his friends, only the wife was home - knitting in the living room. Dirac sat across from her and intently watched the knitting for a while. (Remember that he’s seeing the pattern from the reverse side.) Then he had asked “could you do it this XYZ way?” Well, there are two basic knitting methods - knitting and pearling - and he had figured out the alternate method.

]]> By: The AstroDyke http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303575 The AstroDyke Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:36:47 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303575 So true, so true! Knitting a sweater requires real math skills: 3D-->2D projection, scaling relationships, and the ability to think algorithmically (knitting patterns use subroutines.) Sewing requires more dimensional translation and less scaling. I refused to learn handicrafts in my youth b/c they were too girly. Thankfully I got over it, and now find that making curtains or a sweater uses the same part of my brain as reparing a surfboard, or indeed, designing a set of observations. So true, so true! Knitting a sweater requires real math skills: 3D–>2D projection, scaling relationships, and the ability to think algorithmically (knitting patterns use subroutines.) Sewing requires more dimensional translation and less scaling.

I refused to learn handicrafts in my youth b/c they were too girly. Thankfully I got over it, and now find that making curtains or a sweater uses the same part of my brain as reparing a surfboard, or indeed, designing a set of observations.

]]> By: Julianne http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303466 Julianne Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:08:29 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303466 The most groan-worthy costume I remember is a guy who came with a potato swinging from his belt buckle at crotch level. He claimed he was a dictator. And yeah, that strawberry pincushion is the industry standard. The little dangly strawberry contains something like chalk that you can use to de-burr your needles. I'm sure the origins of the strawberry pincushion go way way back, and will be the subject of a wikipedia entry sometime soon. The coat project sounds facinating, Carl. I am actually terrible at tailored clothes for people, and am duly impressed. The most groan-worthy costume I remember is a guy who came with a potato swinging from his belt buckle at crotch level. He claimed he was a dictator.

And yeah, that strawberry pincushion is the industry standard. The little dangly strawberry contains something like chalk that you can use to de-burr your needles. I’m sure the origins of the strawberry pincushion go way way back, and will be the subject of a wikipedia entry sometime soon.

The coat project sounds facinating, Carl. I am actually terrible at tailored clothes for people, and am duly impressed.

]]> By: Jeff http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303461 Jeff Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:41:40 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303461 great stuff, and great Beastie Boys quote! At an astronomer party the other night someone (not an astronomer, but a clever gal), came all dressed in black with two huge diamond earings. No one could guess what she was: Dark Matter -- with two twinkling starts. The groans... and the applause! great stuff, and great Beastie Boys quote!

At an astronomer party the other night someone (not an astronomer, but a clever gal), came all dressed in black with two huge diamond earings.

No one could guess what she was:

Dark Matter — with two twinkling starts.

The groans… and the applause!

]]> By: jeebus http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303460 jeebus Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:30:14 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303460 I found that covering your whole body with white yarn and walking around with a vibrator in your hand always makes for a great (and easy) "String Theory" costume. ;) I found that covering your whole body with white yarn and walking around with a vibrator in your hand always makes for a great (and easy) “String Theory” costume.

;)

]]> By: Stu Savory http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303446 Stu Savory Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:39:23 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303446 I prefer sewing a black Dracula costume . . . It's the only chance I get to manipulate dark Matter ;-) man, even the holes in it are black ;-) I prefer sewing a black Dracula costume . . .

It’s the only chance I get to manipulate dark Matter ;-)

man, even the holes in it are black ;-)

]]> By: Sean http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303445 Sean Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:42:23 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303445 Like Moshe, I contribute to the equilibration of gender roles by not building anything, whether it involves nails or stitches. Next year, maybe you can make a <a href="http://twistedphysics.typepad.com/cocktail_party_physics/2007/10/get-your-physic.html" rel="nofollow">Doppler Effect</a> costume? Like Moshe, I contribute to the equilibration of gender roles by not building anything, whether it involves nails or stitches.

Next year, maybe you can make a Doppler Effect costume?

]]> By: Moshe http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303443 Moshe Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:14:03 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303443 Beautiful costume, I am jealous, wish I was able to make such costumes myself. Alas, operating heavy machinery may be hazardous to the safety of myself and those around me , I'd have to stick to smaller projects, just sheer altruism in my case. Beautiful costume, I am jealous, wish I was able to make such costumes myself. Alas, operating heavy machinery may be hazardous to the safety of myself and those around me , I’d have to stick to smaller projects, just sheer altruism in my case.

]]> By: citrine http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303441 citrine Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:42:22 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303441 Great job, Julianne! Yes, an Astrophysics degree does come in handy when mentally rotating a 3D image and converting it into 2D components. Your daughter looks adorable in the get-up :) Great job, Julianne! Yes, an Astrophysics degree does come in handy when mentally rotating a 3D image and converting it into 2D components. Your daughter looks adorable in the get-up :)

]]> By: peter http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303440 peter Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:24:58 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303440 well done, if there is one holiday still worth having fun with, it's halloween. far too few parents take it seriously any more... well done, if there is one holiday still worth having fun with, it’s halloween. far too few parents take it seriously any more…

]]> By: citrine http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303438 citrine Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:12:05 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303438 My typical Halloween costume is Schrodinger's Cat. Wear a black outfit, stuff an old pantyhose leg with old socks and pin it at the back, draw alert whiskers on one side of my face and droopy ones on the other. Complete the outfit with a tag - return dead or alive to E.Schrodinger. My typical Halloween costume is Schrodinger’s Cat. Wear a black outfit, stuff an old pantyhose leg with old socks and pin it at the back, draw alert whiskers on one side of my face and droopy ones on the other. Complete the outfit with a tag - return dead or alive to E.Schrodinger.

]]> By: NB http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303436 NB Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:09:08 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303436 At first I thought you meant Hillary ... ;-) At first I thought you meant Hillary … ;-)

]]> By: TomC http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303434 TomC Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:30:28 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303434 Not to mention the fact that I can't figure out how to post onto these Internets right. Not to mention the fact that I can’t figure out how to post onto these Internets right.

]]> By: TomC http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303433 TomC Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:29:19 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303433 The fact that the same person (regardless of gender) is sewing kids' Halloween costumes <em>and</em> quoting Licensed To Ill-era Beastie Boys makes me feel old, old, old, old, and old. The fact that the same person (regardless of gender) is sewing kids’ Halloween costumes and quoting Licensed To Ill-era Beastie Boys makes me feel old, old, old, old, and old.

]]> By: TomC http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303432 TomC Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:28:55 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303432 The fact that the same person (regardless of gender) is sewing kids' Halloween costumes <i>and</i> quoting Licensed To Ill-era Beastie Boys makes me feel old, old, old, old, and old. The fact that the same person (regardless of gender) is sewing kids’ Halloween costumes and quoting Licensed To Ill-era Beastie Boys makes me feel old, old, old, old, and old.

]]> By: Åka http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303429 Åka Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:20:32 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/01/the-girl-is-crafty-like-ice-is-cold/#comment-303429 Some people, like my grandmother, always say that women are less suited for technical and engineering things, while still effortlessly deciphering very complicated knitting instructions -- and constructing patterns for clothing. They don't consider it technology, to them it's not the same category as circuit boards or carpentry. Some people, like my grandmother, always say that women are less suited for technical and engineering things, while still effortlessly deciphering very complicated knitting instructions — and constructing patterns for clothing. They don’t consider it technology, to them it’s not the same category as circuit boards or carpentry.

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