Category Archives: Social commentary

Quantitative Revolution

Posted on 8 November 2012 by Joseph

We’re going through an interesting sort of revolution in America. One after another, various disciplines are realizing (or, it’s coming out publicly that they have realized) that math is useful for stuff. Wherever there is data available, a scientific, quantitative approach … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Social commentary | Leave a comment

The Most Important Issue

Posted on 21 October 2012 by Joseph

I’ve seen some political surveys recently that ask respondents to pick the most important issue to them from a predefined list, and I’ve never had any of these lists include what I think is the most important issue facing our … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | Leave a comment

They’ve Still Got It

Posted on 27 August 2012 by Joseph

I pulled my car into my lot today, and as I walked over to the mailbox, I passed three young kids from the apartment complex. One of them asks me, “do you work for NASA?!” (There’s a NASA meatball sticker on … Continue reading →

Posted in NASA, Social commentary | Leave a comment

People’s Reactions to the MSL Landing System Bother Me

Posted on 23 June 2012 by Joseph

On 5 August, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity will attempt its landing on the Red Planet. MSL is an exciting mission, the biggest rover we’ve ever sent to Mars, packed full of science experiments and capabilities, and it’s going to start … Continue reading →

Posted in NASA, Social commentary, Space | Leave a comment

What’s the Value of Liberal Arts?

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Joseph

There was an NPR article today about how the pressures of the economy are casting some doubt on the value of liberal arts colleges and liberal arts education. I have a bit of an opinion on this, since I went … Continue reading →

Posted in Social commentary, Williams | 2 Comments

Antitechnocracy

Posted on 14 January 2012 by Joseph

A reporter from This American Life did something interesting for today’s broadcast: she brought together a ninth-grade global warming skeptic and the executive director of the National Earth Science Teachers Association together in the show studio for a discussion. (Audio available here.) … Continue reading →

Posted in People, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | Leave a comment

The Science is Real

Posted on 18 August 2011 by Joseph

It worries me when I see public figures, or aspiring public figures, disparaging scientific work because it is not compatible with their personal positions. The public gets to hear phrases like, “that’s only a theory,” or “that scientific theory has … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | 1 Comment

It’s How You Use It

Posted on 24 June 2011 by Joseph

A couple years ago, I was at a house party in Ithaca where I met a first-year grad student who asked me what I was studying. “Aerospace engineering,” I said. “Cool,” he replied. “Just don’t ever work for Lockheed Martin.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Graduate school, Politics, Science, Social commentary | 2 Comments

Call Me Dr. Twit

Posted on 9 March 2011 by Joseph

After much pressure from my girlfriend, I’ve signed up for a Twitter account. I’m going to use the account to echo posts here on Quantum Rocketry. It’s not a communication medium I really see a lot of value in; if … Continue reading →

Posted in Social commentary | 2 Comments

House Republicans Hate Science

Posted on 11 December 2010 by Joseph

I wish I were kidding. I really, really, do. I recognize that the way political parties supposedly work is to offer different solutions to problems – not “good” or “bad” solutions: they are all patriotic, and none of them are … Continue reading →

Posted in Graduate school, Politics, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | 8 Comments