While the Nobel Prizes are 115 years old, rewards for scientific achievement have been around much longer. As early as the 17th century, at the very origins of modern experimental science, promoters of science realized the need for some system of recognition and reward that would provide incentive for advances in the field. Before the […] … learn more→

Students are far more likely to not complete a thesis than to fail. Part of the reason for this is what I like to call the swamp of sadness. The swamp of sadness comes from the kids book The Never-ending Story. In which a boy reads a book about another boy riding a horse around […] … learn more→

As we edge closer to global consensus on climate change and the need to reduce emissions, the focus has moved from debating the science or the need for global action to the responsibility of individual countries to provide assistance to those affected. Not all countries have same capability to reduce emissions, measure and report progress, […] … learn more→

Going to university can be a test for anyone, fresh, or not-so-fresh from school. Students are not only expected to adapt to independent study and increased reading loads, but they also have to learn as soon as possible how to “do” the kind of academic writing and academic talk their given field demands. And for […] … learn more→

As I’ve pointed out so many times before, the administrative caste on campus is an expensive irrelevancy. Even a campus with but a dozen faculty (making $35k a year) might sport two dozen or so administrators, each getting $100k a year, and I’ve highlighted more than enough Poo Bahs whose “compensation” for ruling over a […] … learn more→

In the age of advanced technology, you are already in the middle by a lot of things: social media, relationships, news, sports, academics, etc. While there is too much for a teeny tiny 15cm brain to take, such thoughts can be really disturbing. Also, certain life changing events such as an accident, a plane crash, […] … learn more→