Why did the parasitoid only donate to radio stations led by intelligent radio personalities?
Because the parasitoid's distribution was inversely dependent on local host density.
You know certain models of ecological succession are hypocritical because the most tolerant individuals are also the best at excluding others.
What's the difference between fire and the water vapor produced by the dorm showers?
One triggers the dorm fire alarm and the other promotes the establishment of conifers.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Notes and Notepaper
At the moment, I consider any reading that I don't have to take notes on reading for pleasure. Just like having to fill out a worksheet while watching a movie in class, taking notes while reading hugely changes the tone of the task.
What I didn't realize is that the sort of notepaper I use changes the tone as well. For the past few months I had been writing on unlined paper and I just ran out and made the switch to a lined notebook last week. The lined paper has been great; I feel like my notes are more regular and organized now, and it also helps to have a notebook to flip through instead of stacks of paper covering my desk.
Funnily enough, the topic I'm taking notes on is the importance of accounting for relevant parameters when optimizing a system. In light of this, I'm trying to think of other factors affecting my studying and how I might reach optimal note quality. Using multiple colors of ink is next on my list of experiments.
What I didn't realize is that the sort of notepaper I use changes the tone as well. For the past few months I had been writing on unlined paper and I just ran out and made the switch to a lined notebook last week. The lined paper has been great; I feel like my notes are more regular and organized now, and it also helps to have a notebook to flip through instead of stacks of paper covering my desk.
Funnily enough, the topic I'm taking notes on is the importance of accounting for relevant parameters when optimizing a system. In light of this, I'm trying to think of other factors affecting my studying and how I might reach optimal note quality. Using multiple colors of ink is next on my list of experiments.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Next Level Fun
Some games get less fun as you get better at them. Tic-tac-toe, for example, turns out to be simple enough that two player who know the game well will always draw.
Team Fortress 2 (a team-based first person shooter) is one of my most played computer games, and getting better at it has led me to expect to do well. When I play badly, then, I get more frustrated than I would have when I was still new to the game. However, when I'm playing well (and competitively) at my current skill level, it's a lot more fun than anything I experienced as a beginner.
Is there a way I can experience the good without the bad? So far, the answer in TF2 seems to be focusing on the teamwork aspect of the game. When I play as a medic, a relatively weak class that heals teammates, I don't necessarily expect to do well, since even a skilled medic dies easily. The fun comes in getting the rest of the team to work with and protect me, which results in everyone doing better. My favorite experiences so far in TF2 have been joining losing teams, convincing the players to work together, and ultimately winning through much effort.
Team Fortress 2 (a team-based first person shooter) is one of my most played computer games, and getting better at it has led me to expect to do well. When I play badly, then, I get more frustrated than I would have when I was still new to the game. However, when I'm playing well (and competitively) at my current skill level, it's a lot more fun than anything I experienced as a beginner.
Is there a way I can experience the good without the bad? So far, the answer in TF2 seems to be focusing on the teamwork aspect of the game. When I play as a medic, a relatively weak class that heals teammates, I don't necessarily expect to do well, since even a skilled medic dies easily. The fun comes in getting the rest of the team to work with and protect me, which results in everyone doing better. My favorite experiences so far in TF2 have been joining losing teams, convincing the players to work together, and ultimately winning through much effort.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Water Thermometer
The temperature here varies from day to day between cold and very cold (by my standards, at least). There is, however, a significant practical difference between the two in that if it's only cold I just need a coat whereas if it's very cold I need a hat, scarf, and gloves as well.
In order to tell the temperature before I go outside, I keep a cup of water on my balcony easily visible from inside. If I get up in the morning and the water is frozen, I know it's going to be very cold outside. This system is working pretty well so far, but I'll have to think of something else if I ever need to differentiate between very cold and extremely cold.
In order to tell the temperature before I go outside, I keep a cup of water on my balcony easily visible from inside. If I get up in the morning and the water is frozen, I know it's going to be very cold outside. This system is working pretty well so far, but I'll have to think of something else if I ever need to differentiate between very cold and extremely cold.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Background Noise
The college library is usually a good place to read and get work done, but it just so happens that for the past couple months there's been a construction project right outside; I assume it's taking so long because the construction only happens when there's most need for a quiet library. It's not the construction workers' fault, of course, but I find myself expecting to see someone have a nervous breakdown in the middle of the library when the noise finally becomes unbearable.
Most of the construction noise seems to be drilling, which is unfortunate. I feel like listening to a pile driver or someone shoveling gravel would be more pleasing to the ear. I'm relaxing right now by listening to all kinds of shovel sound effects.
Most of the construction noise seems to be drilling, which is unfortunate. I feel like listening to a pile driver or someone shoveling gravel would be more pleasing to the ear. I'm relaxing right now by listening to all kinds of shovel sound effects.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Chess Jargon
Possibilities in chess may be practically infinite, but there's a relatively finite set of common plays. I currently know almost none of them, but hearing the named strategies discussed is as entertaining as the fencing jargon in The Princess Bride. If white opens with e4, for example, black may adopt the Sicilian Defense, prompting white to advance the Smith-Morra Gambit, and so on.
One variation I learned of is called the Dragon, so if there's one thing I'm likely to take away from this, it's to develop the Dragon as often as possible. Using a strategy with a cool name is almost as good as winning, right?
One variation I learned of is called the Dragon, so if there's one thing I'm likely to take away from this, it's to develop the Dragon as often as possible. Using a strategy with a cool name is almost as good as winning, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)