To be privy or not to be privy ?

His answer (or lack thereof) about the question on joining the Privy Council is simply bloody brilliant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34276963

Mopra merchandising

I tried to download the Mopra data to make a nice 3D visual for them, but I had problems registering. I emailed them to see if I can get that fixed.

"If you have a particular idea for a reward that you'd like to see put into the gift box or included at a lower level do let us know. Especially with regards to the data products, but also with the physical rewards. "
I think I should let them know about this :
http://www.rhysy.net/virgo-glass.html

Also, I've been suggesting "adopt a hydrogen detection" for years. Maybe now Robert Minchin will take me seriously. :P

Originally shared by null

Save the Mopra Telescope & Map the Milky Way

We have spent the last four years mapping the Southern portion of our Milky Way Galaxy with the Mopra Radio Telescope in Australia. However, due to drastic budget cuts the telescope will be shut down at the end of September, leaving our map unfinished and our knowledge incomplete. Help us finish the survey and make it public, so that we can put the Milky Way on the map.

#TeamMopra #Science   #Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/astrocate/teammopra-save-a-telescope-and-map-the-milky-way

Climate change is about more than breaking records

I don't think this is a sensible way of reporting on climate change. Firstly, it's very difficult for people to believe because we don't think statistically. You can tell me that 2015 was the hottest year on record, and maybe you're right, but it's a very difficult fact for me to believe. Especially when those sorts of figures are disputed.

Secondly, setting a record isn't important if you're talking about a change in climate. Britain had a very cold, snowy winters not so long ago, and that wasn't touted as indicative of global warming. Using outliers to demonstrate the overall trend is a bad idea.

Thirdly, this particular article reports a prediction. This is good because predictions can be held to account. The downside is that it's even harder to convince people about predictions than it is about statistical data.

Finally, this wouldn't be so bad if those predictions weren't adjusted to conform to expectations. The recent claim that there was no pause in global temperature rises may be perfectly correct, but it looks dreadful from a PR perspective.

I believe in humans as a main cause of climate change. I am not an expert in the science, but it seems to me that the way it's being reported isn't doing anyone any favours. Naming and shaming the hottest years is headline grabbing but doesn't help anyone believe what's happening.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34226178

Corbyn's policies : mostly decent

Mostly things I believe too. Especially anti-austerity, immigration (I see we're now finally calling them what they are : refugees - about time too !), and a maximum wage.

Things I don't agree with : cancelling Trident (a very good idea in principle, but not right now - or if it is scrapped, use the money on conventional forces instead), uniting Ireland, and possibly leaving NATO.

I support his idea of talking to militant groups in the Middle East, but :
"Asked during a Sky News hustings whether there were any circumstances in which he would deploy UK military forces, Corbyn said: "I'm sure there are some but I can't think of them at the moment.""
IS are burning people alive. Ruling out military intervention seems like a bad idea at this stage.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34209478

The difficulties of writing real research as exciting as the crap

"Archaeologists are trained as anthropologists to recognize and celebrate the diversity of humanity, both today and in the past.  Eric Cline succinctly explains this in his review, noting “pseudoarchaeologists cannot accept the fact that the mere humans might have come up with great innovations such as the domestication of plants and animals or built great architectural masterpieces such as the Sphinx all on their own; rather, they frequently seek or invoke divine, or even alien, assistance to explain how these came to be.”

"But these books are perhaps most problematic for archaeologists because, as Lekson notes, “alternative archaeology is more interesting than the stuff we write… more interesting to more people, that is.”  Academic archaeologists are not trained to write readably, which means there is a large opening for authors to connect with the “guy on the airplane.” Archaeologists like Brian Fagan who do write more approachable books have to walk a fine line between making data interesting and not making extraordinary claims."

I, for one, highly recommend Britain B.C. by Francis Pryor (yes, even if you're not British). It does an amazing job of making what could be an incredibly boring subject absolutely fascinating.

http://www.amazon.com/Britain-BC-Ireland-Before-Romans/dp/000712693X

You can also find the T.V. documentary online, but honestly the book is so much better.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2015/09/03/what-archaeologists-really-think-about-ancient-aliens-lost-colonies-and-fingerprints-of-the-gods

Bizarre beasties

"Tests have shown that the water does not contain any food particles, and is chemically and biologically sterile. Instead, the food comes from the strange frothy foam sitting on top of the water. Rather than using light as an energy source, the Movile bacteria use a process known as chemosynthesis."
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150904-the-bizarre-beasts-living-in-romanias-poison-cave

Moaaaar universities !

"The biggest difference is that a much smaller proportion of young people go to university in Germany. In Germany, about 27% of young people gain higher education qualifications. In the UK, the comparable figure is 48%. The expansion in university entry in the UK has been one of those changes that has been so big that no one really notices."

I'm pretty sure quite a lot of people did notice, actually. In my opinion it was a laudable but misguided goal. You don't really need a University degree for a lot of jobs.
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-34132664

The stupid, it literally burns

"He tells the BBC that as a "novelty tool" it is not his responsibility to check who is buying it or what it will be used for.
"Who are we to deny individuals the ability own a product?" he says. "We don't assume everyone is a criminal."

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGHHH.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34131334

Three trillion trees

Apparently counting trees is really difficult.

""The previous estimate of trees in the world was 400 billion. The new estimate is three trillion large trees. There are so many margins of error in this study that the real number could be anything between the two - or even 10 times higher," he said."
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34134366

Terminator meets The Little Mermaid

I suppose this is what you'd get if you crossed Terminator with The Little Mermaid....
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34129490