Adam Fields (weblog)

This blog is largely deprecated, but is being preserved here for historical interest. Check out my index page at adamfields.com for more up to date info. My main trade is technology strategy, process/project management, and performance optimization consulting, with a focus on enterprise and open source CMS and related technologies. More information. I write periodic long pieces here, shorter stuff goes on twitter or app.net.

11/11/2004

CJR article on the dynamics between the standards of journalism and science

Filed under: — adam @ 11:39 am

‘[...] After all, the journalistic norm of balance has no corollary in the world of science. On the contrary, scientific theories and interpretations survive or perish depending upon whether they’re published in highly competitive journals that practice strict quality control, whether the results upon which they’re based can be replicated by other scientists, and ultimately whether they win over scientific peers. When consensus builds, it is based on repeated testing and retesting of an idea.

Journalists face a number of pressures that can prevent them from accurately depicting competing scientific claims in terms of their
credibility within the scientific community as a whole. First, reporters must often deal with editors who reflexively cry out for “balance.” Meanwhile, determining how much weight to give different sides in a scientific debate requires considerable expertise on the issue at hand. Few journalists have real scientific knowledge, and even beat reporters who know a great deal about certain scientific issues may know little about other ones they’re suddenly asked to cover.’

CJR November/December 2004: Blinded by Science


Pandacam

Filed under: — adam @ 11:16 am

Via Anne:

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandas/pandacam/index.html


Clooney/Soderbergh to produce series on 10 Commandments in a modern context

Filed under: — adam @ 10:22 am

"The 10-hour project explores the spiritual and moral issues faced by modern America as interpreted by 10 different directors."

I’m more impressed with George Clooney every day. I’ve watched Confessions of a Dangerous Mind a few times now, and every time I’m just more impressed with what an incredible directorial debut it is. There’s genius in there.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=7157


Nader Demands a Recount in NH

Filed under: — adam @ 10:08 am

‘”We have received reports of irregularities in the vote reported on the AccuVote Diebold Machines in comparison to exit polls and trends in voting in New Hampshire,” Nader wrote Secretary of State William M. Gardner. “These irregularities favor President George W. Bush by 5% to 15% over what was expected.”‘

Losing by 335,000 in N.H., Nader Demands a Recount (washingtonpost.com)


Nah, there’s no such thing as global warming

Filed under: — adam @ 10:03 am

Ooops.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65654,00.html


Sexual Physics

Filed under: — adam @ 10:00 am

"My boyfriend, Terence, is an adventurous physics student always looking for new ways to improve our sex life. Recently he has been talking about Einstein and relativity, suggesting that we should try having sex at the speed of light or faster. But I am worried. If we were to engage in consensual sex at faster than the speed of light, would I go back in time, so that he would end up having sex with a 5 year old girl? And what are the potential legal implications of this?"

Also, don’t miss "TOP 10 REASONS WHY SEX AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS NOT AN ADVISABLE FORM OF PROCREATION".

http://www.sexualphysics.com/


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