Bit of politics

Apparently Margaret Thatcher may not be long for this world, and there's talk of giving her a state funeral. Surely this would be the ultimate insult to a prime minister who believed so fervently in the superiority of the free market? Why should the state interfere in an industry where the private sector is already providing a perfectly good service? State funerals are the council houses of the dead.

A glamorous invitation

Well, it actually is kind of glamorous really. We are organising an event at the Wellcome Trust (info below) would any of you lot like to be on the guest list? I think I can rustle up a rationale for why you'd be a valid person for us to invite...

Beyond Blogging - How should scientists engage with the public in 2010?

Wednesday 20 October, 18.00-20.00

Wellcome Trust, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE

The internet is an increasingly important space for science engagement, as shown by the recent explosion of high-profile science blogging networks and mass-participation citizen science projects such as Foldit. But there is enormous potential that remains untapped: science engagement needs to move 'Beyond Blogging'.

Gallomanor, the producers of 'I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here!', supported by the Wellcome Trust, are bringing scientists, science communicators and policy makers together with experts from civil society to explore how the internet can enable science engagement in ways 'Beyond Blogging'.

http://beyondblogging.imascientist.org.uk/event-details/reception-programme-evening/

You will hear from scientists who have taken part in 'I'm a Scientist', from experts leading the way in making government data public and from the Wellcome Trust on the importance of public engagement.

Please RSVP to shane@gallomanor.com to let us know whether you can attend. Please call 01225 869450 if you have any questions.

I would write for this in-flight magazine

More of them should follow this editorial approach.

"The rooms are individually air-conditioned, accessorized with amenities you will find in 4-star hotels abroad, sheets are clean, view from the room is nice, and—after the suicide bombing that took place—security measures have been implemented."

Why do in-flight mags always feel the need to be so upbeat anyway? I mean, by the time you read them, you're already committed to going abroad. It's not like you read "Restaurant Highlights of Caracas" and think "Ooh! I must go to Caracas! Wait a minute, I'm currently sitting on a flight to Caracas! Even better!"

The Emulating of Fish without Engines

Robert Boyle's list of interesting scientific projects.

How to write a science article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/sep/24/1

Reality resembles bad special effect, part 2

Tornado made of fire. Looks like something from "The Ten Commandments".

How Charles Darwin terraformed Mars

Well, Ascension Island. Ten points for bonus polar exploration reference!

Toxo!

Fascinating stuff about the parasite that makes rats attracted to the smell of cats... on a personal note, I had tutorials in 1996 with Joanne Webster, who's cited in the article.

Work/sleep/repeat

Five eight-hour days and then two days off is standard. In theory, you should be able to get the same amount of work done in four ten-hour days, and then take three days off. But why stop there? I think my ideal work schedule would be eight ten-hour days and then six days off. Yes, I'd be pretty tired by the end of the eight days - but effectively this would feel like having a week-long holiday almost every other week, which would be terrific. Future employers please note. Any other preferences?
On another topic, I may be 33 but that's not too old to be entertained by the news (in a film review) that the apparently awful film "The Last Airbender" is about a conflict between four different factions of wizards, each of which can manipulate (or "bend") one of the four alchemical elements: so you have airbenders, waterbenders, firebenders and earthbenders. You also, and this is where the juvenile sense of humour kicks in, have unintentionally comic lines like "There are many powerful benders in the north of this country."

Russian ghosts

Extraordinary photos. Pictures of Russia and Germany from the second world war, superimposed on photos taken in exactly the same place today.