Jeff Shaumeyer 🌈
@jnshaumeyer.bsky.social
Quondam physicist (PhD: experimental physics), interlocutor at "Read Science!", author, musician, cookbook collector, crocheter of doilies, and partisan of the Oxford comma. My photos here:
https://flickr.com/jnshaumeyer/albums
https://flickr.com/jnshaumeyer/albums
I only read the book, so I don't know whether i appreciate it or not. (Honestly, I only started it because I thought it was by the other David Mitchell.)
December 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I only read the book, so I don't know whether i appreciate it or not. (Honestly, I only started it because I thought it was by the other David Mitchell.)
What a masterful composition!
December 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
What a masterful composition!
It was very good. This was one pub where we had F&C; the other was lunch at the Stag's Head Pub, south of the river. It was somewhat different, but also very good.
December 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
It was very good. This was one pub where we had F&C; the other was lunch at the Stag's Head Pub, south of the river. It was somewhat different, but also very good.
I think the greatest burden is the energy required to build and maintain the personal myth that they earned (and "deserve"!) entirely through their own work, intelligence, and perseverance.
December 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I think the greatest burden is the energy required to build and maintain the personal myth that they earned (and "deserve"!) entirely through their own work, intelligence, and perseverance.
What a weird story; the teacher sounds like they would score very high on Situational Awareness.
Happily, a grinning outcome for "the kid". Hooray!
Happily, a grinning outcome for "the kid". Hooray!
December 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
What a weird story; the teacher sounds like they would score very high on Situational Awareness.
Happily, a grinning outcome for "the kid". Hooray!
Happily, a grinning outcome for "the kid". Hooray!
...did give tests, had a process of 1) students take test individually; 2) students me in groups of about 5 to discuss their answers and settle on consensus of what the answer *should* be; 3) group answers graded somehow--I never saw #3 in action, but it was clearly about the process & learning.
December 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
...did give tests, had a process of 1) students take test individually; 2) students me in groups of about 5 to discuss their answers and settle on consensus of what the answer *should* be; 3) group answers graded somehow--I never saw #3 in action, but it was clearly about the process & learning.
I like what you say, Chris. Deep reflection on 1) what are expected outcomes of a course; and 2) what is the actual purpose of evaluations, to lead to re-evaluating evaluation methods, sounds very valuable, even though it's a big effort.
But I did meet a few profs who had done the work. One, who
But I did meet a few profs who had done the work. One, who
December 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I like what you say, Chris. Deep reflection on 1) what are expected outcomes of a course; and 2) what is the actual purpose of evaluations, to lead to re-evaluating evaluation methods, sounds very valuable, even though it's a big effort.
But I did meet a few profs who had done the work. One, who
But I did meet a few profs who had done the work. One, who
...is the winning "strategy": running on PRINCIPAL, and that those principals should include "solidarity" and, colloquially: "everyone means every ONE".
To @phidipdbq.bsky.social and like-minded friends: If you already read Hamilton Nolan, you'll have seen this; if not, I think you'll want to.
To @phidipdbq.bsky.social and like-minded friends: If you already read Hamilton Nolan, you'll have seen this; if not, I think you'll want to.
December 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
...is the winning "strategy": running on PRINCIPAL, and that those principals should include "solidarity" and, colloquially: "everyone means every ONE".
To @phidipdbq.bsky.social and like-minded friends: If you already read Hamilton Nolan, you'll have seen this; if not, I think you'll want to.
To @phidipdbq.bsky.social and like-minded friends: If you already read Hamilton Nolan, you'll have seen this; if not, I think you'll want to.
One hopes, to the point that all three work in concert to bring about the desired result.
December 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM
One hopes, to the point that all three work in concert to bring about the desired result.
When I was writing advice on how instructors were to implement extended time on tests during remote operations, I strongly suggested they consider whether their tests needed to be timed. (Later, a notable number HAD changed the way they did testing.)
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 AM
When I was writing advice on how instructors were to implement extended time on tests during remote operations, I strongly suggested they consider whether their tests needed to be timed. (Later, a notable number HAD changed the way they did testing.)
I suspect the Epstein thing will end up mostly about financial shenanigans for him, and that might do it (coupled with the pedophile patina).
December 3, 2025 at 4:32 AM
I suspect the Epstein thing will end up mostly about financial shenanigans for him, and that might do it (coupled with the pedophile patina).
Maybe "yes", maybe you already knew--but that's what friends are for.
December 2, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Maybe "yes", maybe you already knew--but that's what friends are for.
I know, but maybe if one preaches to the choir loudly enough, some passersby outside will hear?
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I know, but maybe if one preaches to the choir loudly enough, some passersby outside will hear?
I think I see your point, too, and I'll go along, but my real point is that I tend to value narrative and character over spectacle (except for big dance numbers in MGM musicals).
December 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I think I see your point, too, and I'll go along, but my real point is that I tend to value narrative and character over spectacle (except for big dance numbers in MGM musicals).
Coming to Maryland is a fine idea: it saves me all the effort except for the fun part of discussion!
Or someplace in between, perhaps; I'm still looking for retirement projects.
And, I'll try to alert you earlier on if we come up with some vacation/travel ideas.
Or someplace in between, perhaps; I'm still looking for retirement projects.
And, I'll try to alert you earlier on if we come up with some vacation/travel ideas.
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Coming to Maryland is a fine idea: it saves me all the effort except for the fun part of discussion!
Or someplace in between, perhaps; I'm still looking for retirement projects.
And, I'll try to alert you earlier on if we come up with some vacation/travel ideas.
Or someplace in between, perhaps; I'm still looking for retirement projects.
And, I'll try to alert you earlier on if we come up with some vacation/travel ideas.
And here I thought it was *I* who told you to read Mr Armitage! Anyway, I have been for several months or more; I would have pointed out nearly every essay except it looked like you were seeing them already.
I'm amazed by his energy and how persuasively and clearly he presents his action ideas.
I'm amazed by his energy and how persuasively and clearly he presents his action ideas.
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
And here I thought it was *I* who told you to read Mr Armitage! Anyway, I have been for several months or more; I would have pointed out nearly every essay except it looked like you were seeing them already.
I'm amazed by his energy and how persuasively and clearly he presents his action ideas.
I'm amazed by his energy and how persuasively and clearly he presents his action ideas.
This essay by Chris Armitage is a succinct summary of Intuit & H&R Block shenanigans to manipulate congress into making sure more of us use commercial tax-prep services.
Aren't we tired of oligarchy yet?
Aren't we tired of oligarchy yet?
December 2, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This essay by Chris Armitage is a succinct summary of Intuit & H&R Block shenanigans to manipulate congress into making sure more of us use commercial tax-prep services.
Aren't we tired of oligarchy yet?
Aren't we tired of oligarchy yet?
Least persuasive for me: "Oh! But you MUST see it on THE BIG SCREEN!"
December 2, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Least persuasive for me: "Oh! But you MUST see it on THE BIG SCREEN!"
Chance, and chaos, play a much bigger part in the progression of our lives than we care to admit.
December 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Chance, and chaos, play a much bigger part in the progression of our lives than we care to admit.
That may be the reason I ended up doing experimental thermodynamics.
December 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
That may be the reason I ended up doing experimental thermodynamics.
Me: "I'm a physicist."
Them: "Oh. I was never very good at math."
(In my head: "Damn. I was hoping we could talk about partial differential equations.")
Them: "Oh. I was never very good at math."
(In my head: "Damn. I was hoping we could talk about partial differential equations.")
December 1, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Me: "I'm a physicist."
Them: "Oh. I was never very good at math."
(In my head: "Damn. I was hoping we could talk about partial differential equations.")
Them: "Oh. I was never very good at math."
(In my head: "Damn. I was hoping we could talk about partial differential equations.")