Random Asides

  • Free Will

    The problem of free will is the problem of whether rational agents exercise control over their own actions and decisions. (Wikipedia) Intuitively, it seems simple. I wake up every morning and choose lots of things – what I’m going to have for breakfast, what I’m going to wear, whether or not I feel like going to work. My instinct tells…

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  • The Oceanographer’s Ball

    I was hoping to post the third installment of my TAM 5 adventures today, but I am afraid that will have to be post-poned because of a very important social engagement. Tonight, I am going to the Woods Hole graduate student formal at The Captain Kidd Restaurant. The definition of “formal” attire is quite loose for this event, actually. I…

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  • The Oceanographer's Ball

    I was hoping to post the third installment of my TAM 5 adventures today, but I am afraid that will have to be post-poned because of a very important social engagement. Tonight, I am going to the Woods Hole graduate student formal at The Captain Kidd Restaurant. The definition of “formal” attire is quite loose for this event, actually. I…

    Read More »
  • Evelyn’s Adventures at TAM 5, A Quick Aside

    Jason, a good friend, and I dancing the can-can at TAM 5. Note that Jason is wearing his TAM 5 T-shirt. Part II in the installment of my adventures at TAM 5 will likely come later today. I have been insanely busy with work since I arrived back in Boston. I’ve been plotting isotope data for a paper, crushing rock…

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  • Evelyn's Adventures at TAM 5, A Quick Aside

    Jason, a good friend, and I dancing the can-can at TAM 5. Note that Jason is wearing his TAM 5 T-shirt. Part II in the installment of my adventures at TAM 5 will likely come later today. I have been insanely busy with work since I arrived back in Boston. I’ve been plotting isotope data for a paper, crushing rock…

    Read More »
  • Home grown

    The NRA recently developed a mini-graphic novel, featuring some…well, fairly wacky claims. The first thing I noticed was that all the threatened families were white, and all the bad people in the vignettes weren’t. The second thing that struck me, though, was this illustration: Hairy legs, tattoos, and Birkenstocks=terrorism! (Also–land lobsters? WTF?) Anyway, this hits a repeated syllogism from the…

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  • Isn’t it nice when laziness is the right thing to do…

    I received three emails in the last month asking if I’d like to be the “green ambassador” for my department at work, to support our new recycling program. I cringed and ignored each message until someone else finally volunteered. It’s times like this that I curse Penn & Teller. I haven’t personally conducted a cost and benefit analysis on recycling,…

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  • Isn't it nice when laziness is the right thing to do…

    I received three emails in the last month asking if I’d like to be the “green ambassador” for my department at work, to support our new recycling program. I cringed and ignored each message until someone else finally volunteered. It’s times like this that I curse Penn & Teller. I haven’t personally conducted a cost and benefit analysis on recycling,…

    Read More »
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