Faster, please.
Category Archives: Science And Society
Tree-Ring Data Bias
Another reason trees make lousy thermometers.
Reinventing The Busemann Biplane
Here we go again. Folks at MIT are proposing a low-drag low-boom supersonic aircraft, but this is a head scratcher to me:
Through calculations, Busemann found that a biplane design could essentially do away with shock waves. Each wing of the design, when seen from the side, is shaped like a flattened triangle, with the top and bottom wings pointing toward each other. The configuration, according to his calculations, cancels out shock waves produced by each wing alone.
However, the design lacks lift: The two wings create a very narrow channel through which only a limited amount of air can flow. When transitioning to supersonic speeds, the channel, Wang says, could essentially “choke,” creating incredible drag. While the design could work beautifully at supersonic speeds, it can’t overcome the drag to reach those speeds.
If the design “lacks lift” (which it does — that’s the problem with a Busemann biplane) how does it “work beautifully at supersonic speeds”? What holds the airplane up?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The Eco-Fascists
From The “Like A Fish Needs A Bicycle” Department
Women can org@sm from exercise. The yoga thing doesn’t surprise me at all. It never happens to me. But then, I never exercise.
Derbyshire Update
Apparently, for those concerned, the prognosis is good.
Endangering The Gorillas?
It is not obvious to me that exploring and producing oil in Virunga National Park will have an adverse affect on the wildlife. If the government is responsible, the tax revenues could help pay for increased protection and security.
Fossil Fuels
What if they aren’t really “fossil” fuels? I’m skeptical on this, but maintain an open mind. If Gold is right, it’s a huge game changer, not just technologically, but politically. Of course, it will just send the carbon loons further around the bend.
It’s The Sociology, Stupid
So, apparently, I’m not skeptical about the need to wreck our economy to save the planet because many of the scientists promoting it have been shown to be frauds and hacks. No, it’s because I’m a threatened, “conservative white male.”
What would I do without professors of sociology to explain such things to me? I particularly love the “98% of scientists” line. Because, you know, science is all about majority opinion (and no, even if it was, I don’t buy the number).
Red Meat
More junk food science (not junk-food science).
People who do these studies don’t seem to understand statistics, or know how to do studies.