blike

Take a look at this picture to see how light is bending around the object in the center. That's the concept they're trying to convey.

Also, if some of you prefer just the forum, simply click the "Forum Link" and then bookmark it. That way you can pretend there is no front page

He's just kidding. They still suck, but we're aware of it and looking into options.

The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Nextby Lee Smolin In this groundbreaking book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that physics-the basis for all other science-has lost its way. The problem is string theory, an ambitious attempt to formulate "a theory of everything" that explains all the forces and particles of nature and how the universe came to be. With its exotic new particles and parallel universes, string theory has captured the public's imagination and seduced many physicists. But as Smolin reveals, there's a deep flaw in the theory: no part of it has been proven, and no one knows how to prove it. As a scientific theory, it has been a colossal failure. And because it has soaked up the lion's share of funding, attracted some of the best minds, and penalized young physicists for pursuing other avenues, it is dragging the rest of physics down with it. With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin charts the rise and fall of string theory and takes a fascinating look at what will replace it. A group of young theorists has begun to develop exciting new ideas that are, unlike string theory, testable. Smolin tells us who and what to watch for in the coming years and how we can find the next Einstein. This is a wake-up call, and Lee Smolin; a former string theorist himself; is the perfect person to deliver it. I want to give everyone some time to purchase the book or find somewhere where they can read it before we start discussions. However, if you've already read the book and want to share some comments now, feel free to do so. Also feel free to post along as you read. You don't need to finish the book before you post! Please read the book discussion FAQ for more information on what this is all about. Purchase from Amazon.com

DO IT> (I got the PDF to work) Is this a sayo original production?

I'll see if my laptop can handle a hasselhoff pdf

Your PDF locked up my PC, otherwise it would be on my school's study room table

Does anyone think we should bring the front page back, or do you prefer it this way?

Don't worry about it! Welcome, hope you enjoy your stay.

In what sense was it a mistake? This forum was never intended to be a one-stop shop. The fact that it took on that characteristic was an unintended consequence of creating a religion and politics forum in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I did not mind having the forums on this website. Nonetheless, when they festered up I had absolutely no qualms about getting rid of them. They are not science forums and as such they exist on this forum soley at our pleasure. Thus, to call it a mistake for removing them is misdirected. As you'll find, our purpose statement includes no such discussion. I speak for myself here, and not any other staff nor the site. Ignorance isn't chastized, idiocy is. There exists a large and quite discernable divide between the two. I have little patience for those who refuse to even make an attempt to cross the bridge. The only thing it should tell you is that they refused in some capacity to follow our rules. I do not care how nice or informative they are on other forums.

The goal of this site isn't to create a place to post about whatever you want to post about just for the sake of having high post counts. Yes, the post count dropped significantly with dropping of the theology forum -- does that mean there was an error or a mistake? Only if your primary goal is to have high post counts at whatever expense. That's not our goal. Our goal here is to have a nice free forum to talk about science. That's it. What does everyone think? What can we do to increase volume here? Was having the frontpage more attractive?

There was a lot more than 38 posts -- how did you arrive at that number?

I'm leaning heavily towards the Wii at this moment -- if only for price reasons (and the ability to download NES / SNES games for $5; and the neat controller idea). I'll likely end up getting a PS3 when the price drops significantly.

ecoliPosts: 3,906

This forum is really the only forum I visit consistently, and sometimes I can't even visit this one consistently

Ack! Thanks for pointing this out. Fixed that. However, your SFN username and password will work there already -- no need to re-register.

A flux capacitor.

Indeed, after cap'n is done stabbing them I'll string 'em high. The trailer was a humorous afterthought by someone, can't remember who.

I'm reading "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat: And Other Clinical Tales" by Oliver Sacks. From Amazon: "A neurologist who claims to be equally interested in disease and people, Sacks (Awakenings, etc.) explores neurological disorders with a novelist's skill and an appreciation of his patients as human beings. These cases, some of which have appeared in literary or medical publications, illustrate the tragedy of losing neurological facultiesmemory, powers of visualization, word-recognitionor the also-devastating fate of those suffering an excess of neurological functions causing such hyper states as chorea, tics, Tourette's syndrome and Parkinsonism. Still other patients experience organically based hallucinations, transports, visions, etc., usually deemed to be psychic in nature. The science of neurology, Sacks charges, stresses the abstract and computerized at the expense of judgment and emotional depthsin his view, the most important human qualities. Therapy for brain-damaged patients (by medication, accommodation, music or art) should, he asserts, be designed to help restore the essentially personal quality of the individual." I'm also reading "Intelligent Thought: Science versus the ID Movement"

Woot!

Thanks for pointing that out, should be fixed now. (default visible age was only a month)

My nomination is Glider's post found here: http://www.scienceforums.net/showthread.php?p=306917#post306917

I'm glad you were able to vent.

He was guilty before the trial even started. There is no way any court would have found him innocent--too much political pressure.

Haggard was the pastor Richard Dawkins interviewed in his series "The Root of All Evil" (search on youtube)