Tag Archives: Opinion

String theory and mathematical fertility

Posted on July 17, 2011 by

“String theory dominates the research landscape of quantum gravity physics (despite any direct experimental evidence) due to its mathematical fertility. String theory has generated many surprising, useful, and well-confirmed mathematical ‘predictions’ made on the basis of general physical principles entering into string … Continue reading →

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Pathological science in Goodstein’s “On Fact and Fraud”

Posted on April 6, 2011 by

“Cold Fusion is a pariah scientific field founded by Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann. Cold fusion papers were almost never published in refereed scientific journals, with the result that those articles didn’t receive the normal critical scrutiny that science requires. Although there is … Continue reading →

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The Ortega hypothesis in Goodstein’s “On Fact and Fraud”

Posted on April 5, 2011 by

“Science is a true meritocracy, however, it is important to be in the right place at the right time.” The Ortega hypothesis: “Financial support for doing science and access to scientific facilities should be shared democratically, not concentrated in the hands of a … Continue reading →

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Swendsen in Am. J. Phys., “How physicists disagree on the meaning of entropy”

Posted on March 20, 2011 by

“Nobody really knows what entropy really is.”—John von Neumann. Contradictory opinions among practicing physicists on entropy: “The theory of probability (has nothing to do with/ is the basis of) statistical mechanics.” “The entropy of an ideal classical gas of distinguishable … Continue reading →

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Rohn in Nature on “Give postdocs a career, not empty promises”

Posted on March 2, 2011 by

“The first step is to admit we have a problem, and that the problem is worth tackling. [...] The career structure for scientific research in universities is broken, particularly in the life sciences. Fellowships are few, every advertised academic post … Continue reading →

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