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Tag Archives: communication
The power of explaining someone else’s idea
In our short evening class we like to have time to think, time to write, time to talk, and time to share. When these go together well, it is transformative. Last week in the last class before spring break, we … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Posters, Presentations and seminars, Uncategorized
Tagged class, communication, explaining, posters
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Thinking of starting your paper with a quote? Be careful!
It is a wonderful feeling to start a piece with a quote that means something to you. You can connect to someone famous who has said something much more clearly than you might. From there you can move on to … Continue reading
Learning German from Jenny Erpenbeck
Jenny Erpenbeck writes a poetic, clear, and sad German. She reads herself on Audible with a crystalline German that reminds me of a young Mosel wine, or the ring of a toast from my grandparents’s hundred year old wine glasses. … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Travel
Tagged Aller Tage Abend, communication, German, Jenny Erpenbeck, language learning, travel
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How to organize a fabulous small meeting
When I see a young scientist talking to one of the grizzled leaders of the field at a meeting I have organized, I hope that the new scientist will discover something valuable from her elder. Likewise, I hope the … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Mentoring, Posters, Presentations and seminars, Scientific meetings
Tagged communication, creative interactions, fun, meetings, posters
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The essential broader impact for all NSF proposals
There is one component of your broader impacts that you should always include. It is crucially important not just for you but for the continuing funding of science. It is essential for the ultimate application of your research to the … Continue reading
Posted in Grant proposals, Public Communication
Tagged communication, k-12, NSF, public, Publishing, teaching
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Why you won’t learn to write from Steven Pinker’s The sense of style
I think Pinker is just the best. I love his writing. I love his perspective. I love the way he takes on complex and often controversial topics and finds convincing clarity. I think I’ve read all his books. So when … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Tagged communication, Kahneman, Pinker, style, system 1, system 2, Vivian Paley, writing
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Two things you must do when speaking to a broad audience
You know how important it is to be clear in a talk. You need to have a story, a clear flow. Ideally you build the argument rather than giving it all away with an outline at the beginning. You illustrate … Continue reading
Do mouse people talk outside their group? Do you?
Creativity research says to reach outside your group to come up with innovative ideas. I’ve written before on this topic, referencing Burt‘s work on structural holes and who is at risk for a new idea. Right now I’m at Janelia … Continue reading
Posted in New ideas, Presentations and seminars, Teaching
Tagged communication, creativity, HHMI, Janelia Farms, mice, Research, science
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Why you should use the word “evolution” if that is what you study
How often do you hear people say evolution when that is actually what they are working on? If you do not use the word, then some people will not get the connection of your work to this unifying theory. If … Continue reading
What exactly is a scientific sandbox or sandpit?
Our program notes say that a sandbox is an interactive session to stimulate new collaborations, ideas, and discussion. This sounds like a great idea, but I’m having a hard time understanding what exactly it means. Should it be held in … Continue reading
Sociobiology 