EN World scientists...

[Achan hiArusa]

Just so you know - my thesis work was on computer modeling of spin propagation in high-energy jet formation. I know whereof you speak here.

Are you talking about the formation of bipolar jets in blackholes? I've always wanted to know how they form, but just haven't gone through the literature.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

For the record, I have a BA in Econ (gained under some of the toughest old birds out there- if you took an econ class, you used a book by one of my profs), and did some work on applying Chaos Theory to Economics.

That said, I don't think Economics as a whole could be considered a "hard science"- after all, a good portion of it depends upon how the perceptions of human beings create interactions with observed"rules"- but certain sub-disciplines within it are almost pure math.

Call it..."hardish scienceish."

Beyond all that, I do like to apply the scientific method when I can, and that is as close as I can come to being called a scientist.

 

[Jdvn1]

For the record, I have a BA in Econ (gained under some of the toughest old birds out there- if you took an econ class, you used a book by one of my profs), and did some work on applying Chaos Theory to Economics.

Most common book is by a Harvard guy.

That said, I don't think Economics as a whole could be considered a "hard science"- after all, a good portion of it depends upon how the perceptions of human beings create interactions with observed"rules"- but certain sub-disciplines within it are almost pure math.

Well, the rules tend to be good approximations. The current models wouldn't be used if they didn't at least describe reality most of the time. It's math + empirical observations + theory.

It's a weird mix of stuff at times, and different people have their own definitions (just coming up with a definition of 'economics' isn't easy).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Most common book is by a Harvard guy.

Yes- Samuelson. During a sabbatical, he came to our program and taught from his book. There is nothing like taking a class with the guy- all the context, footnotes and behind-the-scenes stuff is walking and talking a few feet away from you.

We also got Walter Adams for Antitrust until he had to go testify in the hearings about the Time-Warner merger.

Trinity gives a LOT of high-flyers paid vacations from their home institutions, and the faculty isn't small 'taters either.

Richard Butler & John Huston were my advisors when I did that Chaos theory/Econ project- at the time they were wrapping up a huge study of deregulation of the airline industry (and how Reagan was screwing it up).

We also have William Breit, who among other things, writes mystery novels centered around fictional Harvard economist Henry Spearman, under the nom de plume Marshall Jevons.

 

[Jdvn1]

Yes- Samuelson. During a sabbatical, he came to our program and taught from his book. There is nothing like taking a class with the guy- all the context, footnotes and behind-the-scenes stuff is walking and talking a few feet away from you.

That's cool! But, Samuelson's book isn't as common as it used to be. Samuelson's was the book to use, now probably replaced by Mankiw's.

Sounds like you had a fun time there, though.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Hey- times change!

I bet the physicists on this board are happy we aren't using pre-Copernican textbooks!

 

[freyar]

Hey- times change!

I bet the physicists on this board are happy we aren't using pre-Copernican textbooks!

No kidding! Though there is a college in the States (St John's, at least the Santa Fe campus) that teaches from the primary documents. By which I mean you learn calculus from Newton, etc. While that might be very interesting, I think I picked up a lot from the combined pedagogy of the last few hundred years...

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Sometimes seeing the path can be as enlightening as the journey.

I took Texas Marital Property rights with a guy who was a lifelong Texas resident...and who was an 8X divorcee.

The man didn't need the textbooks he handed out to us- he had (for some inexplicable reason) memorized the law of TX marital property from the original state's constitution through the last update with each interim change.

By each revised section title.

It was almost impossible to keep up with him taking notes as he sped from origins through 18 different changes in the law...

 

[Tonguez]

That said, I don't think Economics as a whole could be considered a "hard science"- after all, a good portion of it depends upon how the perceptions of human beings create interactions with observed"rules"- but certain sub-disciplines within it are almost pure math.

Call it..."hardish scienceish."

Ernest Rutherford (the guy who split the atom) said that "Physics is the only true science all else is stamp collecting" which might explain the number of physicist in the room - or it might not

Really all sciences have to be considered ..."hardish scienceish" largely because "a good portion of it depends upon how the perceptions of human beings create interactions with observed "rules" and because certain sub-disciplines within it are almost pure math (thats you String Theory)

Personally I started life as an Anthropologist who did some geology and physics.

oh and discussion String Theory really should be banned under ENworlds no religion rule

 

[Gothmog]

I'm a professor of biology (PhD in Neuroscience) at a small liberal arts college now. My work has focused mostly on the theraputic and neuroregenerative use of stem cells to repair the brain and spinal cord, but I also recently started working on a project involving the use of batrachotoxin (made by poison dart frogs) as an anesthetic. I teach quite a few undergrad courses, run my lab supervising and coordinating student research, and I'm working on establishing a neuroscience interdisciplinary department.