- An Open Letter to New Graduate Students | ProfHacker
Excellent article that you should consider circulating to the incoming class at your institution. - Physics: number of A-level entrants roars beyond 30K | The Institute of Physics blog
“Although the number of entrants has increased much work is still required to reduce the gender divide in the physics classroom as the proportion of girls against boys taking physics exams remains stubbornly fixed at approximately 1 girl to every 3 boys.” - American Students Struggle for U.S. Grad School Slots Against Foreign-Born Applicants | Science Insider
I think we all knew this was happening…but this is the first time I’ve seen quantitative evidence for it. I’d also like to see a the intl-vs-US student passing the qual on the first try comparison. - When Tenure Disappears: Walking Away from the Ivory Towers | Inside Higher Ed
“If tenure is disappearing, let’s face this head on. Let’s create a vision. Don’t train your PhD students to become your replacements. Train them to create a new society, a better society. Give them the hope that they can make an impact and change the world. Don’t pitch them into a snake pit of hopeless competition for a diminishing number of positions. Train them to become knowledge catalysts, to make a difference. Train them to walk away from the ivory towers.” - The Odds of Surviving a Plane Crash | Book of Odds
The stat I keep in mind is this one: odds of being in a plane crash is 1 in 10.8 million. (via Freakonomics)
Writing
- Why writing is more draining than programming | ryantate
“Added to the pain of prolonged self criticism is the pain of mental state change.” (via @adampash) - The Rule of 200 | ProfHacker
“My document word count must increase by 200 before I am done for the day, no exceptions. 200 words can be anything as long as it contributes to the complete draft.”
Productivity and Workspace
- Is the Multiple-Monitor Productivity Boost a Myth? | Lifehacker
“There’s an optimal number of pixels you need to complete the tasks you need to complete. Worry about that number, not the number of monitors you have. That optimal number, for the vast majority of people is about 2500×1400. In 2003…two LCDs was the only affordable way to acquire an optimal number of pixels. Today, you can pick up a 27 inch display with 2560×1440 pixels along with a computer attached to it for under $1500.” - How to Make the Most of a Small Workspace | Lifehacker
- Work From Home Tips | Productivity501
I’ve never really got working from home to work. I always end up doing chores.
Applications
- IDL 8.0: a new graphics interface | michaelgalloy.com
“You can see a listing of all of the color names available by using HELP on !color…One of my favorite features in the new graphics API is that LaTeX escape sequences are built-in!” - IDL 8.0 wrap-up | michaelgalloy.com
- 10 iPhone Apps for Astronomers | Supernova Condensate
- Gmail Voice and Video Chat for Linux | Google Operating System
He takes the constructive and rational influences of the Bauhaus and Scandinavian modern, adds American Shaker and 1950s design elements, and merges them with the materials and sensibility of his native culture.