Small in America
Have I mentioned that Small Wonders is being published in America? I don’t think I mentioned that Small Wonders is being published in America. Well, Small Wonders is being published in America. The name has been changed to The Invisible Kingdom, and it got some updates (things move quickly in the world of Microbiology) and a new bonus Bonus Track at the end; also, some Australian references (Cricket, the distance from Sydney to Melbourne) were replaced by American-friendly ones (Baseball). Other than that, it’s the same book....
read moreQueensland and beyond:
SW has been shortlisted for the 2009 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards, Science Writer category. I’m thrilled. But that’s nothing compared to what happened to my publisher’s publicity manager…
read moreFrom Our Physics Desk:
The Fourth Matter Following common Matter, Dark Matter, and Antimatter, long recognized by Science, is the less well-known Doesn’t Matter, the study of which has for quite some time now gone under-funded, unappreciated, and rather difficult to publish. “It’s a problematic issue, although not very” says a not-so-notable Physicist (cornered during a longish lift ride). “Research into this field has always struggled with indifference in the scientific community, not to mention the public. Even research staff and...
read moreThe Differently Awake
Like most people, I fit into several different minority groups; in this age of subdividing society from every possible direction, the number of people who feel entirely embedded within the majority in every aspect of life is very small indeed (and this should, of course, qualify them as a minority group in itself – the “totally well-adjusted”, perhaps. Poor things.) Yet the trait which causes me the most acute feelings of not belonging is hardly ever mentioned. Is it, I ask myself sometimes late at night, just me? Can it be that I am the only...
read morepenupmanship:
Take 1: Some decades ago, not long after the start of the American space program, NASA figured out that ordinary pens will not work under zero-gravity conditions. Therefore, much research effort went into developing a special “spacepen” that could be used by astronauts in outer space. This took years and millions of dollars to develop. The Russians, meanwhile, used pencils. Take 2: A few years after hearing this story and chuckling at the silly Americans, I came upon a spacepen for sale at an outdoor-gear shop. This led me to...
read moreTables are Turning
The pretty girl waiting for the 7:16pm train at Jolimont station gave me a look and a sweet smile as I walked by. I don’t normally get these, but today I definitely cut a striking figure. ‘Nice table’ she said. Compliments too! I haven’t been so admired in ages. Pity I’m happily married. ‘I thought so too,’ I replied, ‘that’s why I just bought it’. I walked up to where I judged the least crowded car would be stopping and unburdened myself of the “Solid Timber (probably teak), 115x71x75cm, VGC” dining table I had purchased from a total...
read moreSmall news roundup:
New Scientist explores some ideas about Kangaroos and methanogenic microbes in this recent article. Readers of Small Wonders can only shake their heads in a complacent manner and say “we knew that already”. No, I’m kidding. It’s got some good stuff and recent advances on the subject. Also in New Scientist, while we browse this worthy publication, a bit of encouraging news for people (me! me!) who would love it if life were to be found on other planets (meeeee!), and a rather dispiriting discovery that there are...
read moreWhat year ISIS?
While researching the life and work of Prof. Max Von Pettenkofer, distinguished chemist and one-time cholera-sample drinker (“The Pettenkofer Files” in SW will give you the full story), I came across a link to a NY Times news story about his his (non cholera-related) 1901 suicide. result 19 of googling “Pettenkofer” (near the bottom of this page) gives us this text: “Max Von Pettenkofer. the distinguished German chemist, committed suicide to-day by shooting himself in a fit of depression. He was born Dec. 3,...
read moreThey sing! They dance! They fire!
Pilobolus – the artillery fungi I wrote about in “Cow Crap Cannons” – are definitely going places. Check out this post in Zimmer’s “The Loom”, featuring the world’s first fungal opera.
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