Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with method

Looking for an engaging, well-written book that explains scientific thinking

ManInSuit — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:34:51 -0800

Looking for an engaging, well-written book that explains scientific thinking A bunch of friends of mine are starting a science book club. They are mostly artist/poet/musician/writer types, who want to learn more about science.

As the most scientifically-minded of the bunch (ie: not very), what I really want is for them to learn a bit about how to think scientifically. So while they may be initially drawn to mind-blowing stuff about cosmology or quantum physics, what I really want is for them to get down to earth, and learn some solid basics of critical thinking, and scientific method. I want them to learn how to respond critically to science reporting in the papers, maybe get a little smarter about statistics, get over their innumeracy, maybe be smart about the perils and temptations of drawing inferences too quickly.

Mostly, I guess, I just want them to stop being such artist/poet/musician/writer types all the time.

Can anyone recommend any good book(s)?

Something well-written and interesting, that'll apeal to some pretty literate readers?

Thanks!

Physical cut-ups: Making Frankenstein vinyl records and books

0bvious — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:29:01 -0800

I want to physically cut-up vinyl records and books into pieces, which I will then glue back together in various, alternate combinations. What are the best methods of doing this? Artist Christian Marclay did a similar thing with records (anyone know any sources of info on this?), so that when he glued them back together the frankenstein records could still be played. This would mean that the cutting technique did not destroy any of the vinyl's structure, it also meant that each record had to be cut very precisely, otherwise the fragments from several different records could not be glued back together.

I also wish to do a similar thing with old books, so that you get a kind of frankenstein, mish-mash of different book combinations. It would eventually be like doing a Burroughesque cut-up on physical forms.

Any ideas on technique would be greatly appreciated. How would I go about doing this? Have you seen similar things done by other artists?

Thanks

Van Morrison sample

dooabledawg — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:14:07 -0800

Calling all Van Morrison fanatics. I'm trying to identify a sample of music used at the end song "A town called Paradise" on the album "No guru, no method, no teacher". I can't upload the music here (don't know how) but the sample appears 5 minutes and 18 seconds into the song. It's driving me mad cos I heard the piece before, many years ago and I can't place it. I think it's a classical piece and was used in an epic western film like "The magnificent seven" or something like that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

How do I fast track my way into consulting?

gttommy — Sun, 27 May 2007 04:49:21 -0800

How do I fast track my way into consulting? I'm 24 year old male doing a combined Software Engineering/Int'l studies in Chinese degree. I'm interested in getting into Business consulting within 1-2 years, and believe I have the transferable skills to do so, just not the experience & qualifications.

Things I have considered:
-apply for graduate positions within a large company to work towards software/IT consulting then find a way into business consulting (seems a little tedious)
-go for business analyst roles and wait for an opportunity
-find a managerial job, if possible, and put into resume then apply

Please suggest ways to get into business consulting asap!

-------------
My only work experience is pretty much only around 17 months experience as a paid intern programmer at 2 different software companies (no longer employed by either).

Yes I have tried the search but all I found were questions related to career dilemmas.

a box inside a box inside a box inside a box

777 — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:00:51 -0800

I've already got the xmas gift figured out, now I'm trying to figure out how to give it...so what are some creative/clever/funny ways you've given gifts? I've got a digital camera and various accessories, and I'm looking for a fun way to wrap them or otherwise present (*cough*) them...

Also, what are other creative gift-giving methods you've come up with for gifts not necessarily digital-camera-sized?

No idea is too big or too small...

thanks!

Help me, Mr. Piano Man

Ogre Lawless — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 09:43:39 -0800

Bad pianohabitfilter Being mostly self-taught and rather haphazardly so, I find myself mostly playing sing-along classics. I took lessons years ago and found myself quickly frustrated by a process that only gave me a song and a half after several months' practice.

So yes, I am of the "cheater" school and haters -- y'all know what you can do.

Point being, I find myself making some odd hand positions. Some of this may result from the spurious references I may have used to teach myself the chords in the first place. For example, I've seen chords based on the root of the triad (C: C-G-E) as well as the middle of the triad (C: G-E-C).

I found the root-note triad easier to remember (as the first note struck in a "C" chord should not be, duh, G -- tho I learned trumpet first and am now forever single-note biased that way) but find that it makes for some difficult and cumbersome positionings. C# for example is position/note: 1/C#, 3/F, 5/G#

This makes for kind of a weird hand position where my middle finger is below the first and third. This seems strange and awkward, but so do the ofset triads.

What's a piano hack to do?

(I mean for himself and other than lessons. Its Christmas, damnit, I'm po')

Angering Bulls

bob sarabia — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 13:17:39 -0800

Regarding rodeo: How do they make bulls angry enough to want to kick and jump and run around to get a guy off his back? Specific method or general torture?

How do you find your keys?

mecran01 — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:20:13 -0800

I lost my car keys Saturday. I remember walking out of the van, patting my pockets, and thinking "huh. Must have tossed them in my bag." Checked later and no keys.

What's your key-finding methodology?

Resources for learning how to draw?

callicles — Mon, 29 Mar 2004 09:46:06 -0800

i've always wanted to learn how to draw. i picked up drawing on the right side of the brain for reasons i don't remember (it was on my amazon wishlist for a long time), but are there any other books/methods anyone can suggest for someone who wants to learn to draw?

What's the best way to dice an onion?

jdroth — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 11:22:18 -0800

What's the best way to dice an onion? [more inside] I dice onions a lot.

About once a month I make a delicious clam chowder that requires two onions, diced, and, of course, there are plenty of other recipes that require the dicing of these delicious bulbs. I don't mind the tearing so much (though I'd love to hear how people deal with that — I just stick my head out of doors for a few moments), but I hate the fact that my attempts at dicing produce laughably goofy chunks of onion.

Is there some secret method I'm missing? Is there a (non-electric) gadget I can buy that does the job for me?

The worst part of this whole thing is that my wife knows how to dice an onion, but refuses to divulge her secret. (And I'm too dense to pay attention when she's working with them.)