Comments on: The Cathedral of Learning http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:31:31 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64209 Sean Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:18:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64209 Amanda, there's not much to tell; it was mostly social chat. He told some amusing stories about famous physicists that are probably not for public consumption. And he made a few good-natured semantic points about the arrow of time; he doesn't like it when people refer to the "direction" of time, as it prejudices the prejudices the idea that time "moves" in a certain direction. He prefers the "anisotropy" of time, although he'll accept the "arrow" of time, as at least an arrow has a head and also a tail. Amanda, there’s not much to tell; it was mostly social chat. He told some amusing stories about famous physicists that are probably not for public consumption. And he made a few good-natured semantic points about the arrow of time; he doesn’t like it when people refer to the “direction” of time, as it prejudices the prejudices the idea that time “moves” in a certain direction. He prefers the “anisotropy” of time, although he’ll accept the “arrow” of time, as at least an arrow has a head and also a tail.

]]> By: Amanda http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64208 Amanda Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:56:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64208 Pelase do tell us more about your conversation with Adolf, Dr. Carroll. Pelase do tell us more about your conversation with Adolf, Dr. Carroll.

]]> By: Bryan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64201 Bryan Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:56:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64201 There aren't so many gothic skyscrapers around these days, it seems. ;-) We were happy to have you, and look forward to your next visit. There aren’t so many gothic skyscrapers around these days, it seems. ;-) We were happy to have you, and look forward to your next visit.

]]> By: Yvette http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64196 Yvette Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:31:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64196 Did you check out the Hungarian room by chance? I spent many many hours of my preschool days there, as my mom taught a Hungarian language class that met in that room so she often took my twin brother and me. We still decorate the room for Christmas every year- anyone in Pittsburgh who has never done so should check out the heritage rooms around the holidays, as it's like seeing them all over again! Ah, memories. So odd to think of special places half a world away. :) Did you check out the Hungarian room by chance? I spent many many hours of my preschool days there, as my mom taught a Hungarian language class that met in that room so she often took my twin brother and me. We still decorate the room for Christmas every year- anyone in Pittsburgh who has never done so should check out the heritage rooms around the holidays, as it’s like seeing them all over again!

Ah, memories. So odd to think of special places half a world away. :)

]]> By: Julia http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64193 Julia Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:19:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64193 As one of the less blog-savvy grad students of the 'trip highlight' lunch during the author's visit, I must say I was delighted to find this post via a link left on my Facebook wall by a friend from Houston who thought I might like to see a nice write-up on the town I moved to last August. Little did he know... Very flattering post! I was thrilled to meet Sean and look forward to final subtitle of his upcoming book. And any time anyone wants to talk big ideas (especially if they are about the ontology and experience of the passing of time) we Pitt HPS grad students are always game for a chat. As one of the less blog-savvy grad students of the ‘trip highlight’ lunch during the author’s visit, I must say I was delighted to find this post via a link left on my Facebook wall by a friend from Houston who thought I might like to see a nice write-up on the town I moved to last August. Little did he know…

Very flattering post! I was thrilled to meet Sean and look forward to final subtitle of his upcoming book. And any time anyone wants to talk big ideas (especially if they are about the ontology and experience of the passing of time) we Pitt HPS grad students are always game for a chat.

]]> By: gyokusai http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64164 gyokusai Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:59:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64164 I’m awed. Makes me want to start studying again, from scratch. Why not physics. I’m awed. Makes me want to start studying again, from scratch. Why not physics.

]]> By: Tod R. Lauer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64160 Tod R. Lauer Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:22:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64160 I'm absolutely delighted to learn about this. While also not religious, I had always thought that cathedrals would make a fantastic space for academic work. Modern variants are possible - it doesn't have to be in a literally gothic style, as long as attention is taken to create an inspirational space. Sadly, too many departments are set in indifferent or even antagonistic architecture, under the belief that architecture that promotes thinking and interaction is a needless luxury. Few of us have the occasion to participate in the design of our work spaces, but it's an area that can produce real rewards when the opportunity to shape it is taken seriously. I’m absolutely delighted to learn about this. While also not religious, I had always thought that cathedrals would make a fantastic space for academic work. Modern variants are possible – it doesn’t have to be in a literally gothic style, as long as attention is taken to create an inspirational space. Sadly, too many departments are set in indifferent or even antagonistic architecture, under the belief that architecture that promotes thinking and interaction is a needless luxury. Few of us have the occasion to participate in the design of our work spaces, but it’s an area that can produce real rewards when the opportunity to shape it is taken seriously.

]]> By: John http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-64154 John Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:24:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/02/23/the-cathedral-of-learning/#comment-64154 Since the University of Pittsburgh is a few miles from downtown, the Cathedral of Learning is the only tall building in the area and is a really inspirational sight for miles around. I'm hoping to be a Pitt grad student in the fall. No idea if the quote is true or not though. Since the University of Pittsburgh is a few miles from downtown, the Cathedral of Learning is the only tall building in the area and is a really inspirational sight for miles around. I’m hoping to be a Pitt grad student in the fall.

No idea if the quote is true or not though.

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