I probably have a minor reputation for being the spelling guru on TIPS, but in this case, I want to point out an error that fails to take into account the title's clever origin.
I'm referring to a recent post about the 2013 IgNobel prize. (The poster called it IgNoble - a mistake that I recall he has made in the past.) The beauty of the clever name is that it's a nod to the Swedish Nobel Prize. But as the IgNobel website points out (http://www.improbable.com/ig/) its purpose is to make people laugh, and then think, and there are a lot of laughs and enthusiasm at this hugely popular venue, as can be seen in the video of the ceremony at the website. One of my favorites is the tradition of a little girl, dubbed "Miss Sweetie-Poo" who comes out as soon as an acceptance speech runs longer than a couple of minutes. She says, over and over, "I'm BORED. Please stop." (Don't we wish we could bring her along for some meetings?) TIPSters may also recall a bit of history: our own Robin Abrahams is in on the whole farce, along with her husband Marc, who originated the IgNobel. I don't know if Robin (also known for her popular column, Miss Conduct, in Boston Globe Magazine) is a member of TIPS anymore. Our numbers have either undergone a mass exodus, or our members have been uncharacteristically mum in the last few months. I know I've been struggling with an inclination to resign from TIPS, but so far have resisted the temptation. Welcome to a new semester. May TIPS have a rebirth of intelligent, well-considered, helpful and kind posts. Beth Benoit Plymouth State University New Hampshire On Fri, Sep 13, 2013 at 10:53 AM, Mike Palij <[email protected]> wrote: > ** > > > > > > > > Er, I mean the winners of the 2013 IgNoble prize have been announced! > Such an august event (or it a September event?) has been noted in the > popular media and here is one account: > http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24061992 > > Funniest bits in the above article are on how drinking makes a person > perceive themselves as more attractive and on penile amputations and > ducks (you'll have to read the article). > > For those who are original source purists, here is a link to the IgNobel > website where more information and video of the ceremony can be > obtained: > http://www.improbable.com/ig/2013/ > > NOTE: Look at the bottom of the page for info on the IgNoble > lectures to be presented at MIT this Saturday, Sept 14, 1pm. > > By the way, I still think that the greatest scientific contribution that > has won an Ignoble prize is the garment that can be used as gas > mask. See the photo at the top of this page: > http://www.improbable.com/ig/winners/ > And here (though you might want to be alone when you do): > http://ebbra.com/ > > -Mike Palij > New York University > [email protected] > > > > > > > > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13105.b9b37cdd198e940b73969ea6ba7aaf72&n=T&l=tips&o=27794 > > (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) > > or send a blank email to > leave-27794-13105.b9b37cdd198e940b73969ea6ba7aa...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > > > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=27816 or send a blank email to leave-27816-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
