Monthly Archives: January 2014

More Teacher Evaluation Insanity

Posted on January 5, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Education reformers style themselves as problem solvers who get things done. The reality, however, is that they’re grade A fuckups (boldface mine): A single missing suffix among thousands of lines of programming code led a public school teacher in Washington, … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Statistics | 3 Comments

The Shift From Well-To-Do to Wealthy

Posted on January 5, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

A while ago, I discussed how certain groups and professions dramatically increased their wealth, starting in the 1980s, especially in Washington D.C. Steven Pearlstein describes the Washington D.C. phenomenon in detail (boldface mine): The son of a diplomat and academic, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | 1 Comment

Links 1/4/13

Posted on January 4, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: NIH still doesn’t get anywhere close to a response to the Ginther finding. Peering Through the Flowcell Glass, Darkly Rethinking Sleep Genzyme’s MS drug rejected by FDA: Lemtrada side effects, clinical trials faulted; company plans appeal … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | 1 Comment

Washington D.C. As Plant Still Life

Posted on January 4, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Observed in the U.S. Botanic Garden: The Washington Monument: The Capitol Building: The Lincoln Memorial: The Jefferson Memorial:

Posted in Museums etc. | 1 Comment

“We Are the Marauders”: A Difference in Degree, Not Kind

Posted on January 4, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

National Geographic has a show about survivalists, “Doomsday Preppers.” I’ve never understood survivalists: as paranoid and fearful as I am, these guys are crazy. But everyone needs hobbies I suppose, and it’s relatively harmless. Until you get to this guy … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Links 1/3/13

Posted on January 3, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Positive epistasis between co-infecting plasmids promotes plasmid survival in bacterial populations Toxic Halitosis Protects Tobacco-Eating Caterpillar I Had My DNA Picture Taken, With Varying Results (to the cognescenti, neither surprising nor new, but good introduction) Without … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Comments Off on Links 1/3/13

Has Boston Become Really Wimpy About Snow? (With Some Pictures As a Reward)

Posted on January 3, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

It seems to me that over the last year or so, Boston has started freaking out about snow. I’m not talking about last year’s Snowmaddegon, which truly was too much snow for too long (there’s no place to put it … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston | 5 Comments

Is Open Access/Science the Biggest Problem We Face? (How About a Different Emphasis For 2014?)

Posted on January 3, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Before the new year, there was a bit of a backlash against boycotting the glamour magz, spurred by Nobel Laureate Randy Schekman’s call to avoid said glamour magz. I like open access and alternative publishing models–hell, I would just as … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, Jobs | 4 Comments

Links 1/2/13

Posted on January 2, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Which Is More Important: Military Drones Or A Cure For Cancer? (excellent) Geographic Divergence in Mortality in the United States Entitlement, Success and Meritocracy Pro-fat an unhealthy status quo Fitting and overfitting data Other: Ta-Nehisi Coates … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Comments Off on Links 1/2/13

Hancock Tower Still Lifes

Posted on January 2, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

In putting together collections of my favorite Boston photos for the end of the year roundup, I realized that the Hancock Tower featured prominently (pun intended). Here’s a year of Hancock Tower photos. Through a Glass, Darkly: Tower in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boston | 1 Comment