Today I used Cornell’s online purchasing system for the first time. If you needed more evidence that modern universities should be categorized among the hallowed ranks of bloated bureaucracies, look no further. Let’s quickly get past the fact that it took me a good 45 minutes to make a purchase... [Read More]

Did you know that the FAA measures the riskiness of private space operations in units of Expected Casualties? Yes, that morbid unit is exactly what it sounds like. From the FAA document that shouldn’t be read unless you’re writing a blog post about it or love the potent boredom inducing... [Read More]

Saturday Space Stories! Maybe NASA should work on playing up the technology rather than the incrementally interesting science. Photos from planet labs - pretty cool History + Technology for the win And this is how awesome happens - pulling together tech from entirely separate areas More sadly unexciting NASA PR -... [Read More]

If I described some writing as ‘like a science paper,’ what would you assume about it? For most people, I’m fairly sure the assumption would be ‘its dense and mind-numbingly boring.’ The sad fact is that most technical writing does meet that description, but it doesn’t have to be that... [Read More]

Like stacks themselves, Ditch Day announcements can span a continuum from a senior reading from a piece of paper (bleechh, in my opinion) to a production with the components of a small play – acting, props, lighting, dramatic entrances and exits. If done right, each announcement builds on the energy... [Read More]