I found this on tumblr a few days ago, and really liked it. 11 rules of a scientist’s life. I liked it because it does a good job of summarising the rules which I genuinely try to live by. As … Continue reading
Sometimes I find something in my data which agrees with my predictions. This makes me happy, and usually prompts me to casually mention this fact on twitter. And sometimes, as in this case, my followers give me good advice. @TWeDK … Continue reading
❝ The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; they study it because they delight in it, and they delight in it because it is beautiful. If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and … Continue reading
Recently I was, for the first time ever, asked to peer review a paper. My initial response was one of bemusement at the idea that someone thinks I know what I’m talking about, followed by a brief flurry of excitement. … Continue reading
❝ Far too many of us have been taught in school that a scientist, in the course of trying to figure something out, will first come up with a “hypothesis” (a guess or surmise—not necessarily even an “educated” guess). … … Continue reading
❝ Success depends on adequate knowledge: that is, it depends on sufficient knowledge of the special subject, and a variety of extraneous knowledge to produce new and original combinations of ideas.❞ Rosamund E. M. Harding, 1942
❝ It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance between two conflicting needs: the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses that are served up to us and at the same time a great openness to new … Continue reading
It’s always interested me that inspite of what you might expect, PhD training doesn’t tend to come with any formal lessons on how-to-be-a-scientist. There’s a distinct lack of any proper training in philosophy of science, even though it’s something we’re … Continue reading
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate. (Plurality is not to be posited without necessity.) There are a number of principles in modern science which are quite pivotal for how science itself works. Principles which can often be used to distinguish … Continue reading
Writing this blog is a labour of love, and one which I evidently need a little encouragement towards on occasion. If you like what I write, the best way to show your gratitude would be to fuel my caffeine addiction and buy me a coffee to say thank you. All coffee donations are gratefully accepted!
Never stop dreaming...
