Comments on: Spousal Shout-Out http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Fri, 25 May 2012 13:10:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Thomas http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-154028 Thomas Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:09:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-154028 Just received the book today, just think the dedication was kind of cute. "For Sean, the sine to my cosine." Thank you for the book, Jennifer. Will enjoy reading it tomorrow. Just received the book today, just think the dedication was kind of cute. “For Sean, the sine to my cosine.”

Thank you for the book, Jennifer. Will enjoy reading it tomorrow.

]]> By: Jennifer Ouellette http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153757 Jennifer Ouellette Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:35:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153757 @Baby Bones: Funny you should talk about freezing temps, because one of the most common analogies for traffic behavior is phase transitions -- with the cars as molecules that flow freely in the air and liquid phases, but at some point become so dense that they start to "freeze." The point at which that happens is kind of like the phase transition where a liquid turns into a solid. But phantom traffic jams are a bit more complicated, so the analogy is overly simplistic. WHat actually seems to be happening is that when the car "molecules" become too dense they become "strongly correlated" -- a jargon term I didn't want to use on the show -- which means that tiny shifts in speed, sudden braking, etc. ripples through the correlated cars and causes pockets of "jamming." If only I could have spit that out on the show. C'est la vie. :) @Baby Bones: Funny you should talk about freezing temps, because one of the most common analogies for traffic behavior is phase transitions — with the cars as molecules that flow freely in the air and liquid phases, but at some point become so dense that they start to “freeze.” The point at which that happens is kind of like the phase transition where a liquid turns into a solid.

But phantom traffic jams are a bit more complicated, so the analogy is overly simplistic. WHat actually seems to be happening is that when the car “molecules” become too dense they become “strongly correlated” — a jargon term I didn’t want to use on the show — which means that tiny shifts in speed, sudden braking, etc. ripples through the correlated cars and causes pockets of “jamming.”

If only I could have spit that out on the show. C’est la vie. :)

]]> By: Baby Bones http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153725 Baby Bones Tue, 15 Feb 2011 07:35:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153725 The Venturi effect bit was really funny. Why can't traffic physics be more like fluid mechanics? Does traffic have a freezing temperature? The Venturi effect bit was really funny. Why can’t traffic physics be more like fluid mechanics? Does traffic have a freezing temperature?

]]> By: Frankel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153710 Frankel Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:07:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153710 I had this post bookmarked in order to watch the clip, but turned on the TV last night (I live in Australia) and was overjoyed to see this interview was actually on! I think Jennifer did a great job, it must be hard trying to get a point across on a show like that, but I think she did it with grace and good humour. I had this post bookmarked in order to watch the clip, but turned on the TV last night (I live in Australia) and was overjoyed to see this interview was actually on!

I think Jennifer did a great job, it must be hard trying to get a point across on a show like that, but I think she did it with grace and good humour.

]]> By: Lotty http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153709 Lotty Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:05:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153709 Congratulations Jennifer! The interview was great and very fun. Congratulations Jennifer! The interview was great and very fun.

]]> By: Jennifer Ouellette http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153708 Jennifer Ouellette Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:42:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153708 @ricardo: Yeah, I had a brain freeze there. I was trying to convey something about how the Venturi effect applies to fluids, but when cars on the freeway reach a certain density threshhold, they cease to "flow" like a fluid (air, liquid) and start behaving more like a solid. But I didn't quite get up to speed in time -- it was a smart and astute question. Phantom traffic jams are fascinating because they're so complex. But the foam car stuff he came up with to save my ass was totally awesome. That said, I'm glad folks don't go to late-night TV to learn physics. :) @ricardo: Yeah, I had a brain freeze there. I was trying to convey something about how the Venturi effect applies to fluids, but when cars on the freeway reach a certain density threshhold, they cease to “flow” like a fluid (air, liquid) and start behaving more like a solid. But I didn’t quite get up to speed in time — it was a smart and astute question. Phantom traffic jams are fascinating because they’re so complex. But the foam car stuff he came up with to save my ass was totally awesome.

That said, I’m glad folks don’t go to late-night TV to learn physics. :)

]]> By: spyder http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153690 spyder Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:20:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153690 I think one of the differences between Ferguson and the other late night talking heads (including Stewart and Colbert) is that Craig is always willing to push his own education and learning. He has done some of the most powerful interviews on television featuring race and inequalities. He can delve into physics and chemistry with the best of them. A real treasure that is on so late it is shameful. And giving the golden harmonic to Jennifer was a real treat. Aaarrrrsome. I think one of the differences between Ferguson and the other late night talking heads (including Stewart and Colbert) is that Craig is always willing to push his own education and learning. He has done some of the most powerful interviews on television featuring race and inequalities. He can delve into physics and chemistry with the best of them. A real treasure that is on so late it is shameful. And giving the golden harmonic to Jennifer was a real treat. Aaarrrrsome.

]]> By: ricardo sandoval http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153683 ricardo sandoval Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:34:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153683 The part where she explains that the water is compressible can be misleading. I guess what she meant is that water is "malleable", in fact, it is because the water is incompressible the water has to speed up when the pipe tightens so that the amount of water volume that passes thought is always the same. That is the reason I was lost when she talked about sponges since clearly they are compressible. The part where she explains that the water is compressible can be misleading. I guess what she meant is that water is “malleable”, in fact, it is because the water is incompressible the water has to speed up when the pipe tightens so that the amount of water volume that passes thought is always the same.

That is the reason I was lost when she talked about sponges since clearly they are compressible.

]]> By: Mike http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153667 Mike Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:42:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153667 Very cool indeed!! Very cool indeed!!

]]> By: Sean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153614 Sean Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:36:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153614 Absolutely. Ferguson doesn't mind playing the goofball for laughs, but he is a very smart cookie. See e.g.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt-kAIyeJf8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUwGzHzdc0s Absolutely. Ferguson doesn’t mind playing the goofball for laughs, but he is a very smart cookie. See e.g.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt-kAIyeJf8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUwGzHzdc0s

]]> By: Susan Pritzker http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153612 Susan Pritzker Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:27:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153612 What fun. I love the book, too. Thanks Jennifer!! What fun. I love the book, too. Thanks Jennifer!!

]]> By: John Preskill http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153611 John Preskill Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:12:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153611 It's so much fun I watched it twice. Jennifer is wonderful, but Ferguson should get his due, too --- he did a great interview. They got into an excellent rhythm together. It’s so much fun I watched it twice. Jennifer is wonderful, but Ferguson should get his due, too — he did a great interview. They got into an excellent rhythm together.

]]> By: Kevin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153609 Kevin Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:50:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153609 This is full of awesome! I watch Craig Ferguson regularly - pretty sure Jennifer's segment is one of the best interviews I've seen so far. And the Golden Mouth Organ is the proof! So far only three out of hundreds of guests have won this before... This is full of awesome! I watch Craig Ferguson regularly – pretty sure Jennifer’s segment is one of the best interviews I’ve seen so far. And the Golden Mouth Organ is the proof! So far only three out of hundreds of guests have won this before…

]]> By: Chris Lindsay http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153607 Chris Lindsay Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:22:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153607 Jennifer did a nice job of keeping up with Craig - who went into some far out places in the conversation. I picked up the Calculus Diaries a couple weeks ago. I've not had a chance to read it yet, but it's definitely something I'm looking forward to reading. Jennifer did a nice job of keeping up with Craig – who went into some far out places in the conversation.

I picked up the Calculus Diaries a couple weeks ago. I’ve not had a chance to read it yet, but it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to reading.

]]> By: Jake http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153605 Jake Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:28:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153605 You wife is not only beautiful and intelligent she is AWESOME!!! Which is why I've always loved reading her blog. But I just didn't realize her AWESOMENESS until she showed the world that she could play the harmonica!! And she won the GOLDEN MOUTH ORGAN AWESOME! I've to run an post a comment on her blog now. AWESOME! You wife is not only beautiful and intelligent she is AWESOME!!! Which is why I’ve always loved reading her blog. But I just didn’t realize her AWESOMENESS until she showed the world that she could play the harmonica!! And she won the GOLDEN MOUTH ORGAN AWESOME!

I’ve to run an post a comment on her blog now. AWESOME!

]]> By: incognegro http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153602 incognegro Sun, 13 Feb 2011 06:43:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153602 Don't take this the wrong way Sean, but your wife is hot. LOL Don’t take this the wrong way Sean, but your wife is hot. LOL

]]> By: Ole Phat Stu http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153601 Ole Phat Stu Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:58:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153601 Well done Jennifer! It must be really difficult reacting to someone like Craig who has all that show business practice. You never know when they're going to go off at a tangent! So Sean, when are you going to put up an mp3 or even a video of Jennifer playing the golden mouth organ? ;-) Well done Jennifer! It must be really difficult reacting to someone like Craig who has all that show business practice. You never know when they’re going to go off at a tangent!

So Sean, when are you going to put up an mp3 or even a video of Jennifer playing the golden mouth organ? ;-)

]]> By: The Stand-Up Physicist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153596 The Stand-Up Physicist Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:47:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153596 OH MY, she won the golden mouth organ! That will become a family heirloom. OH MY, she won the golden mouth organ! That will become a family heirloom.

]]> By: Christopher Darrin Horn http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153595 Christopher Darrin Horn Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:39:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153595 LOL! Love that book title. Classic! LOL! Love that book title. Classic!

]]> By: Sean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/02/12/spousal-shout-out/comment-page-1/#comment-153594 Sean Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:59:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/?p=6201#comment-153594 Yes we all know the Venturi effect discussion was discombobulated. That's real time for you. Yes we all know the Venturi effect discussion was discombobulated. That’s real time for you.

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