Scientific Process

Science is less about abrupt phase changes and more about slowly convincing your critics that what you say makes sense.

Equivalences

Seriously, it feels like the authors of textbooks are sometimes just trying to mess with me.

In Theory

“I don’t know why people think my job is so special.”

Show Your Work

“We’re working with professionals here, not some young grad students!”

“But what about the grad students like me who are trying to learn from our paper?”

“I’m sure they will figure it out.”

Frictionless Learning

Watch a pretty video explaining a concept, and you will come out thinking you know everything. Sit down and try to work through a problem, however, and you will quickly realize you learned almost nothing.

Learning requires a lot of slow movement, with a lot of friction.

Impress Versus Scare

I’m firmly convinced that physicists and mathematicians are some of the best marketers for their equations.

The Scientific Jungle

“When no one can answer your questions, you’re getting close!”

(Originally part of my post on ErrantScience Clutter.)

Productive Breaks

“The best thinkers always figured out the solution to their problems when they weren’t working. I’m just trying to emulate them!”

Influence

We influence so many people that we never hear from ever again or know existed that it’s kind of amazing to think about.

By Inspection

“You don’t see it? But it’s jumping out right at you!”