/sci/ - Science & Math

Was in a rut after graduation, wasn't doing anything with my life.

Turned things around, started a second BS in physics, I'm starting my second year next week and I'm already working with a faculty member on a research project and was awarded a $1100 grant for a project I'm working on with a few people from my class (spectral analysis of main belt asteroids).

I plan to go to grad school and then into either teaching, research, or advocacy.

>>3072535
I am loving this!

>>3052762
I'm double majoring in physics and astronomy at the University of Iowa. /sci/ wasn't the *only* factor that led to me going back to school, but you guys really helped motivate me.

>>1841069
5-10ft underwater at about .44 psi per ft, we're only talking about 2-4 psi.
I've used these kinds of tubes (my family had an above ground pool when I was in high school) - they're flexible but they're strong, I think a good one could withstand that kind of pressure (though obviously you'd wanna test them first)

Called Loebsack this morning! Gotta make sure this bill passes!

>>1816761

>>1785149
I've been posting a couple fliers around my campus, certainly got people talking.

If you make your own, just keep it simple and to the point. Even an outline like the OP's post would work if you add in a few clever phrases.

Awesome!
This is gonna be a big week! I'm calling Loebsack again to make sure he's still opposing the House bill.
Also, for those who haven't read it yet, the full text of both bills can be found here:
Senate Bill: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-3729
House Bill: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-5781

Glad to see one of these threads back, especially with the HoR coming back next week.

Already got my Rep (Loebsack, D-IA) to agree to vote for the Senate bill, and I convinced a few people in my astronomy lab to write in to theirs as well.

>>1724369
Non US anons can still help, if you know anyone in the US you can try to get them to write in.

>>1724402
Really, at this point I think its safe to say that capability needs to take priority over destination, and I think Rockefeller and the guys who authored the Senate bill get that. Once we have the capability to get out of LEO and into deep(ish) space, we can go wherever the fuck we want.

>>1662007
No, just making shit up.

>>1661981
Universe > Ocean

I already got a letter back from my rep saying he's going to oppose the House bill in September

>>1607107
I wrote my rep last week (Loebsack, D-IA), I got a letter from him yesterday saying he'll be voting against the House bill in favor of the Senate version.

As insane and completely impossible as it might sound, writing letters or making phone calls to your elected officials actually works!

I'm going down to my representative's local offices tomorrow, wish me luck

You don't even need people to vote no, if the bill is stalled and doesn't come up for a vote today, it won't come up before Congress returns from recess in September. That's a whole month to change minds and improve the bill.

Dos and Donts for writing to your congressmen.
DOs
1. Do be extremely respectful. Letters to senators and representatives traditionally start with
>Dear Honorable (your senator's/representative's first and last name),
use this format. Letters that don't open respectfully get thrown out.
2. Do introduce yourself, always use your real name (note: you should open the letter with the senator's name, mailing address, etc, and end with your name, address, etc... you can find this information in copy/pasteable format by looking up the House/Senate pages), you don't have to tell them your life's story but mentioning where you're from and what you do is good. Don't forget to mention that you've been a big supporter of theirs in the past (even if you aren't), maybe even mention some piece of legislation they helped pass that you 'really like'. Congressmen have egos like everyone else - complimenting them and identifying yourself as a supporter will ensure they pay more attention to your complaints.
3. Do be very precise and clear about what you want. Mention bills by their title, ex. NASA Authorization Bill, or designation. Write that you "respectfully" ask that they take suchandsuch a position on that legislation.
4. Do check if the congressman you're writing to is up for reelection. If they are, make sure to mention that this is a very important issue for you, and you're don't know if you'd be able to continue supporting a senator/representative who didn't take that position on the bill.

>>1301548
Sci fi is never about the technology, the genre simply uses technology as a means of commenting on modern issues, or raising deeper philosophical questions.
Moon isn't about fusion or cloning, it's about the fundamental question of what it means to be human. Is Sam Bell, Sam Bell?

Sigh... man if message board genre analysis is all that film degree of mine is useful for, I'm more glad than ever to be going back for Physics in the Fall.

>>1101574
All excellent points Sam

Checked it out from the library, watching it tomorrow after work. Been looking forward to it for a while.

Also, Moon