Comments on: We Have Agents In The Field http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:42:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: String Theory’s Star on the Rise | Cosmic Variance http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13881 String Theory’s Star on the Rise | Cosmic Variance Sat, 01 Apr 2006 07:00:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13881 [...] Not far from where I do my shopping in the Hollywood Farmer’s market is the Hollywood walk of fame, where various stars of screen, stage, radio, etc are celebrated with a star in the pavement/sidewalk when they rise to a certain level. I never thought I’d see the day when someone would get a star for contributions to the popularisation of science on television (Carl Sagan never got one), but look what I stumbled upon earlier this week (I was so impressed I asked a tourist to take a shot of me): [...] [...] Not far from where I do my shopping in the Hollywood Farmer’s market is the Hollywood walk of fame, where various stars of screen, stage, radio, etc are celebrated with a star in the pavement/sidewalk when they rise to a certain level. I never thought I’d see the day when someone would get a star for contributions to the popularisation of science on television (Carl Sagan never got one), but look what I stumbled upon earlier this week (I was so impressed I asked a tourist to take a shot of me): [...]

]]> By: SteveM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13880 SteveM Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:48:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13880 Dolph Lundren was supposed to be doing a Phd in chemical engineering at MIT, and had degrees already from Sweden and Austrailia having won various scholarships. But he got the part of the Russian boxing machine "Ivan Drako" in the film "Rocky IV" opposite Sylvester Stallone, and then had a film career playing heavies ever since. I like this particular example since I am an athlete too with a scientific/technical background. Actually, I think "Brain and Brawn" is MIT's motto? Dolph Lundren was supposed to be doing a Phd in chemical engineering at MIT, and had degrees already from Sweden and Austrailia having won various scholarships. But he got the part of the Russian boxing machine “Ivan Drako” in the film “Rocky IV” opposite Sylvester Stallone, and then had a film career playing heavies ever since. I like this particular example since I am an athlete too with a scientific/technical background. Actually, I think “Brain and Brawn” is MIT’s motto?

]]> By: Clifford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13879 Clifford Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:58:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13879 Great! That's very encouraging. Probing further....did she do research beyond UG level, 'cos that would be excellent! (Wait....I don't understand the "so there!". I'm hoping that there are <em>more</em> examples than commonly suspected.... it's supposed to be a good thing. I'm not going into this discussion saying that it is impossible, just that it is commonly percieved as rather improbable.) Cheers, -cvj Great! That’s very encouraging. Probing further….did she do research beyond UG level, ‘cos that would be excellent!

(Wait….I don’t understand the “so there!”. I’m hoping that there are more examples than commonly suspected…. it’s supposed to be a good thing. I’m not going into this discussion saying that it is impossible, just that it is commonly percieved as rather improbable.)

Cheers,

-cvj

]]> By: Cathy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13878 Cathy Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:46:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13878 I don't know about Heidi Klum, but I seem to recall that Cindy Crawford was an engineering major. So there! I don’t know about Heidi Klum, but I seem to recall that Cindy Crawford was an engineering major. So there!

]]> By: Arun http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13877 Arun Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:03:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13877 Climbing up the food chain, http://nutrition.tufts.edu/news/points/2004-04.html#og Climbing up the food chain,
http://nutrition.tufts.edu/news/points/2004-04.html#og

]]> By: Arun http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13876 Arun Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:56:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13876 It would be interesting to examine the science, here are some: http://www.organicconnection.net/nutritional.html It would be interesting to examine the science, here are some:
http://www.organicconnection.net/nutritional.html

]]> By: Peter Armitage http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13875 Peter Armitage Tue, 28 Mar 2006 09:29:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13875 Although not a phycist herself, Oliva Newton-John's grandfather was Max Born! ...which puts "Let's get Physical" into a new context doesn't it? Although not a phycist herself, Oliva Newton-John’s grandfather was Max Born! …which puts “Let’s get Physical” into a new context doesn’t it?

]]> By: Clifford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13874 Clifford Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:22:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13874 Frumious B. Thanks for your wisdom. Please go away and find a blog more up to your standards. It is so easy and, frankly, tedious to find some way of tearing something down. It is much more impressive to show that you can build something. Give it a try. Cheers, and maybe goodbye (?) -cvj Frumious B. Thanks for your wisdom. Please go away and find a blog more up to your standards.

It is so easy and, frankly, tedious to find some way of tearing something down. It is much more impressive to show that you can build something. Give it a try.

Cheers, and maybe goodbye (?)

-cvj

]]> By: Frumious B. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13873 Frumious B. Tue, 28 Mar 2006 05:10:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13873 That so-called amazing website is filled with misinformation. For one thing, vitamin content of food is set by genetics. Organically grown vegetables are not more nutritious than conventionally grown. First the acupunture, now organics. Is this a science blog or a pseudoscience blog? That so-called amazing website is filled with misinformation. For one thing, vitamin content of food is set by genetics. Organically grown vegetables are not more nutritious than conventionally grown.

First the acupunture, now organics. Is this a science blog or a pseudoscience blog?

]]> By: Arun http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13872 Arun Tue, 28 Mar 2006 04:30:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13872 I met Feynman's first (or was it second) Ph.D. student. He said the most important thing he learned from Feynman was how to be happy. (Physics wasn't the most important thing in the world, and he wasn't doing physics.) Pyracantha, I can understand that parents will be really puzzled and worried if after a PhD and all that effort, one turned around and did something totally unrelated. One should talk to them and explain. But not being able to change out of some notion that one wasted time, it is low-class, a shame, etc., is the opposite of wisdom. I met Feynman’s first (or was it second) Ph.D. student. He said the most important thing he learned from Feynman was how to be happy. (Physics wasn’t the most important thing in the world, and he wasn’t doing physics.)

Pyracantha, I can understand that parents will be really puzzled and worried if after a PhD and all that effort, one turned around and did something totally unrelated. One should talk to them and explain. But not being able to change out of some notion that one wasted time, it is low-class, a shame, etc., is the opposite of wisdom.

]]> By: Clifford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13871 Clifford Tue, 28 Mar 2006 03:56:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13871 Pyracantha: You said: <blockquote> Wouldn't that be a total waste of talent and long hours of hard work for a high-ranking PhD scientist to do something like be a pop star? Is THAT what her parents sent her to Harvard/Yale/UCLA for? Anything less than academia, is a low-class letdown and a shame. At least, that's what my parents imply with me. </blockquote> I don't think that. I don't want to have much to do with people who do. I'm sorry if your parents taught you to think that way. I'm hoping that you're joking....(?) Cheers, -cvj Pyracantha:

You said:

Wouldn’t that be a total waste of talent and long hours of hard work for a high-ranking PhD scientist to do something like be a pop star? Is THAT what her parents sent her to Harvard/Yale/UCLA for? Anything less than academia, is a low-class letdown and a shame.
At least, that’s what my parents imply with me.

I don’t think that. I don’t want to have much to do with people who do. I’m sorry if your parents taught you to think that way. I’m hoping that you’re joking….(?)

Cheers,

-cvj

]]> By: Pyracantha http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13870 Pyracantha Tue, 28 Mar 2006 01:44:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13870 But hey, wait a minute. First: Do we want scientists to be judged and appreciated for the same criteria that we appreciate pop stars or models? Like, Ms. Scientist not only is brilliant, but she's gorgeous too?? That's just more hype that an aspiring (girl) scientist would have to live up to. Next: Wouldn't that be a total waste of talent and long hours of hard work for a high-ranking PhD scientist to do something like be a pop star? Is THAT what her parents sent her to Harvard/Yale/UCLA for? Anything less than academia, is a low-class letdown and a shame. At least, that's what my parents imply with me. But hey, wait a minute.
First: Do we want scientists to be judged and appreciated for the same criteria that we appreciate pop stars or models? Like, Ms. Scientist not only is brilliant, but she’s gorgeous too?? That’s just more hype that an aspiring (girl) scientist would have to live up to.
Next: Wouldn’t that be a total waste of talent and long hours of hard work for a high-ranking PhD scientist to do something like be a pop star? Is THAT what her parents sent her to Harvard/Yale/UCLA for? Anything less than academia, is a low-class letdown and a shame.
At least, that’s what my parents imply with me.

]]> By: joseph http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13869 joseph Tue, 28 Mar 2006 01:22:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13869 You can also get math tutoring from Danica McKellar at http://www.danicamckellar.com/ You can also get math tutoring from Danica McKellar at http://www.danicamckellar.com/

]]> By: Arun http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13868 Arun Tue, 28 Mar 2006 01:16:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13868 Clifford, interesting thought, and I'll see if I can think up of some names. But in the meantime, I was wondering whether "the idea could have legs" is an unconscious something following from "supermodels". :-) Clifford, interesting thought, and I’ll see if I can think up of some names. But in the meantime, I was wondering whether “the idea could have legs” is an unconscious something following from “supermodels”. :-)

]]> By: Clifford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13867 Clifford Tue, 28 Mar 2006 00:07:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13867 Yes! A good Example! -cvj Yes! A good Example!

-cvj

]]> By: Kristin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13866 Kristin Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:44:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13866 Hey, and I did learn about Sandra Tsing Loh <a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/12/04/the-loh-down-on-science/" rel="nofollow">right here</a> at Cosmic Variance! She didn't always do science programs, either. I'd say her <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Tsing_Loh" rel="nofollow">career path</a> was pretty unusual and far afield of physics. Hey, and I did learn about Sandra Tsing Loh right here at Cosmic Variance! She didn’t always do science programs, either. I’d say her career path was pretty unusual and far afield of physics.

]]> By: Clifford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13865 Clifford Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:13:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13865 Kristin: Don't get me wrong.....I think your post and rubric were valid questions too. Science and writing are very very important. I was just trying to look for the much more unusual career paths ..... Ah yes, those Engineers.... Cheers, -cvj Kristin: Don’t get me wrong…..I think your post and rubric were valid questions too. Science and writing are very very important. I was just trying to look for the much more unusual career paths …..

Ah yes, those Engineers….

Cheers,

-cvj

]]> By: Kristin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13864 Kristin Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:08:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13864 Well, <a href="http://www.radioactive-banana.com/blog/2006/03/11/ex-physicists-in-the-culture-realm/" rel="nofollow">Mike Judge</a> certainly went far afield of physics in creating <i>Beavis and Butthead</i>, <i>King of the Hill</i>, and <i>Office Space!</i> Ted Rall is more underground, admittedly. Of course the science writers thing is less surprising, but they still counted according to my rubric. Anyway, <a href="http://www.engineeringk12.org/students/fun_section/famous_engineers.htm" rel="nofollow">engineers have it over physicists</a> in terms of going over the wall and influencing the greater culture, it looks like. They can claim Montel Williams, Mr. Bean, the lead singer of Boston, Herbie Hancock, Boris Yeltsin, Jimmy Carter, Alexander Calder, Leonid Brezhnev, Scott Adams.... They do have an advantage in terms of absolute numbers to start with, admittedly. Well, Mike Judge certainly went far afield of physics in creating Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill, and Office Space! Ted Rall is more underground, admittedly. Of course the science writers thing is less surprising, but they still counted according to my rubric.

Anyway, engineers have it over physicists in terms of going over the wall and influencing the greater culture, it looks like. They can claim Montel Williams, Mr. Bean, the lead singer of Boston, Herbie Hancock, Boris Yeltsin, Jimmy Carter, Alexander Calder, Leonid Brezhnev, Scott Adams…. They do have an advantage in terms of absolute numbers to start with, admittedly.

]]> By: Clifford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13863 Clifford Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:07:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13863 And I also built my own electric guitar as a teenager, but there the similarity between myself and Brian ends. He wears his hair a bit longer than I do, for example. -cvj And I also built my own electric guitar as a teenager, but there the similarity between myself and Brian ends. He wears his hair a bit longer than I do, for example.

-cvj

]]> By: Aaron Bergman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/comment-page-1/#comment-13862 Aaron Bergman Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:03:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2006/03/27/we-have-agents-in-the-field/#comment-13862 Oops. You're right. There's "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams, I suppose. Oops. You’re right. There’s “Summer of ’69″ by Bryan Adams, I suppose.

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