Mon - July 18, 2005

Femtoreview: The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowiecki


The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowiecki, is a look at what must be many years of research into the way collective decision making may actually be more efficient and accurate than individual—even expert—reflection. I think this might be a very useful concept in scientific research and in running a research group.

Posted at 04:03 PM     Read More   |

Mon - January 24, 2005

Larry Summers: Turning Back the Clock


We may never know what Harvard president, Larry Summers, told his distinguished and learned audience last week about possible gender-based science proclivities. We can say for sure, however, that he has done science—and indeed his own institution—a grave disservice. My blunt take: we do not know what makes a good scientist, and it is impossible to use existing statistics to gauge gender differences.

Posted at 12:08 AM     Read More   |

Wed - November 17, 2004

Femtoreview: A Century of Nature: Twenty-One Discoveries that Changed the World


A "Femtoreview" of the book A Century of Nature: Twenty-One Discoveries that Changed the World edited by Laura Garwin, Tim Lincoln, and Steven Weinberg. "Femtoreviews" are short, extremely short reviews of books I've read, or tried to read.

Posted at 05:03 PM     Read More   |

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