Non-Disclosure Agreements — Economic Tool or Kabuki Theatre?
The use of NDAs is praised by some, abhorred by others. Why they exist in pricing negotiations reveals a lot about not only about market forces, but also the value of discretion.
Bang! Bang! Terry Gross and Mike Birbiglia Go Behind the Scenes of "Fresh Air"
In a funny “behind the scenes” video, NPR’s Terry Gross shows comic Mike Birbiglia what’s really behind her unflappable demeanor.
What Is a Hipster?
What are hipsters? And what do they have to do with liver disease? A charming and interesting video will tell you all about it.
Publish-or-Perish Culture Promotes Scientific Narcissism
Publication rewards productive scientists but has the unintended consequences of isolating scholars, reducing knowledge transfer and steering scientists away from engaging in policy and the press.
Universal Citation Paper Lacks Universality
A bold claim that citation impact is comparable across fields is disputed by researchers who question why uncited papers were excluded from the analysis.
Making Mistakes in a Good Direction — The God Complex and Experiments
This fascinating TED talk will resonate on many levels with people who read this blog — study design, arrogance, vindication, creativity, inspiration, complexity, evolution, and authority are all dealt with. The topic is “the God complex” — the tendency for […]
A Blogosphere Divided — Differences Abound Within Left and Right Political Blogs
A very thoughtful study of the political blogosphere finds that liberal and conservative approaches to Web 2.0 differ dramatically, underscoring that it’s now that you do that matters, but how you do it.
"The Muppet Show" — It All Started With a Pitch
Selling an idea well takes a lot of skill and daring. How “The Muppet Show” was pitched reveals a lot about why it worked.
Review: "How Economics Shapes Science," by Paula Stephan
A new book on the economics shaping science is a treasure trove of facts arranged sensibly and put wonderfully into context. In addition, it’s an example of how to design a print book.
A Sincere Thank You to Adam, Jamie, and Morgan
Two popular science shows take a different approach to science education and inspiration, but both are effective, and more than welcomed.
Tea Party-led Super PAC Coalition Seeks to Limit US Research to US Taxpayers
A surprising new coalition of Tea Party and US-first activists begin an effort to limit US taxpayer-funded research to US taxpayers. Will it succeed?
Why Is Science Both More Important and Less Trusted?
Science has always been politicized, but its political involvement and use is different these days. What is happening? And what can we do about it?
Brave Girl's First Ski Jump — The Great Feelings of Overcoming Fear
Will she? Can she? This 9-year-old teeters on the edge of her first ski jump with moving results.
Comments — The Weakest Part of Blogs, the Weakest Part of Online Journals
Post-publication peer-review systems are still something fancied here and there. But with comments failing on blogs everywhere, especially as traffic grows, more bloggers are talking about new approaches — ones that focus on invited experts, quality opinions, and high standards. Where have we heard that before?
The Story of "Keep Calm and Carry On" — An Iconic Poster Almost Lost Forever
A now-famous poster was printed in large quantities but almost lost to history. Here’s what happened.