Stilgoe, John R. VISU-S-160
Answer:
Reflections - A mirror can reverse image top-to-bottom if its shape is concave.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/reflection.html
Responses:
Liberal Arts - In class we discussed the value of a Liberal Arts Education. I find myself in general agreement with the opinions volunteered by my classmates. I failed to articulate, in explicit terms, my own point of view; I support the concept of a Liberal Arts Education, it's in the practice that I have problems.
The Liberal Arts movement was designed to give a student a well-rounded education, unfortunately those who get Liberal Arts Educations often receive degrees in an over-specialized major. This defeats the purpose of Liberal Arts Education. The student has essentially gone to a trade-school and become well apprenticed, for example, in British Literature from 1805-1810. Those that receive a B.A. in a more general field of study are no better off. It is surprising to me how many College Educated people I meet who are not educated.
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/cs/2008/04/the_mfa_is_the_new_mba.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/opinion/27mon2.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V122ICNS8_0
Solar Storms - I have been thinking a lot about your idea that the Carrington Super Flare caused mutations that are only now presenting as cognitive/learning disorders. While ADD/ADHD may be both over-diagnosed, and misdiagnosed (it shares symptoms with other disorders, as well as stages of normal development), true cases exist. There is evidence now that the condition may also be hereditary, and could the aforementioned "shared symptoms" be a tell-tale also?
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml#pub3
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Could_ADHD_Be/
Solar Storm Warning for July 7th, 2009!
Pseudoscience....we hope:
http://io9.com/5306026/did-this-jellyfish-crop-circle-accurately-predict-a-solar-storm
Friday, July 3, 2009
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Arthur C. Clarke once wrote, "My favourite definition of 'Intellectual' is: 'Someone who has been educated beyond his/her intelligence.'"
ReplyDeleteThis idea has often been erroneously attributed to Clarke. He is actually quoting a quote. It makes me crazy when "intellectual" is used as a pejorative (perhaps "pseudo intellectual" would be a better fit).
But I can't get too steamed at this quote. First, it's funny. Second, I've met so many people around here who have been "educated beyond their intelligence."
What category do I fall under? I hope neither. I feel I have a ways to go before I am either fully educated or over-educated.
Update: Higher Education...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.onpointradio.org/2009/07/higher-ed-lower-costs
When men as handsome and as immaculately dressed as Mr. David Evans walk across Massachusetts Avenue everyone perforce stares in admiration. And long ago, such staring led to pedestrians being run down by the trains of the Somerville Branch of the B&M, which railroad built a two-storey gate-tender's building so the watchman might lower the crossing gates . . . a building become an attorney's office, since the right-of-way is temporarily a walking path . . . .
ReplyDeleteI always thought the design of the building smacked of railroad, but it looked to me like something you'd see in a large yard somewhere instead. However, I can see why they would want to be on the lookout for those attired in the fashion of Mr. Evans. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOn old maps you can see the line had a pair of tracks and multiple sidings. The North Harvard Station was diagonally across from the gate-tender's as well as a coaling station. I believe the lumber yard (still in business) had a siding too.
I know the line (aka:Fitchburg Cutoff/B&M Freight Cutoff)came up from Somerville Junction (the station platform is still there), connecting the Lowell and Fitchburg lines. It also had tracks connecting it to the Arlington line and the tracks to Watertown too.
Google Maps, Google Earth, and especially their "Street View" option ARE very scary. One thing they are good for is seeing where things used to be. They have left their footprints, visible only from on high.
Ah, the impermanence of all things. B&M (and its heirs) have relinquished freight rights to the Somerville Line, but the MBTA hasn't relinquished any rights-of-way for that line, or any of the "rail trails" in the area. Guilford/Pan Am still has claims here and there, separate from their B&M affiliations.
ReplyDelete