Animated Series ‘As the Wrench Turns’: New Turn for Magliozzi Brothers and PBS
Most TV series are propelled into the world by creative vision, ambition, all-out effort, and dreams of market domination. With “Click & Clack’s As the Wrench Turns,” the upcoming PBS cartoon featuring “Car Talk” stars Tom Magliozzi ’58 and Ray Magliozzi ’72, it took something else — a whole lot of cajoling.
Tackling Stereotype Of Asian-Americans In Higher Education
The image of Asian-Americans as a homogeneous group of high achievers taking over the campuses of the nation’s most selective colleges came under assault in a report issued Monday.
Our Perspective Is Shaped by MIT, Opportunities
<i>Below is the text of Class of 2008 President Phi Ho’s address to the graduates during Commencement on June 6.</i>
Grad Student Found In NW16 Basement Faces Felony Charges
A graduate student faces felony charges after MIT Police found three students in a caged room in Building NW16 late Saturday night. The incident is reminiscent of the felony charges filed against three hackers found exploring the Faculty Club in October 2006.
Interest Grows for International Iran Atom Facility
A deeply controversial plan put forth by MIT scientists to end the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program is getting increased interest from senior members of both parties in Congress and nonproliferation specialists.
Hockfield Calls for Optimism, Praises MIT Graduates’ Practicality and Vision
Graduates of MIT: This day is for you. Here, in the stately embrace of Killian Court, we gather to celebrate your success. You have distinguished yourselves in courses of study that stand among the most demanding in the world. For all that you have accomplished, you have our deepest respect.
Ekstrom: Our Spirit Is What Sets Us Apart
<i>Below is the text of outgoing Graduate Student Council President Leeland B. Ekstrom’s speech at this year’s Commencement ceremony held June 6.</i>
New Task Force Formed to Increase Input for Students
The Task Force on Student Engagement was established to increase student involvement on Institute decisions, announced administrators and student government leaders in the March/April issue of the <i>MIT Faculty Newsletter</i>.
Small Lab Explosion Injures Graduate Student; Cause Is Under Investigation
An MIT graduate student was injured Wednesday in a small lab explosion in Building 16.
Nobel Laureate Yunus Tells Grads To Make the World a Better Place
Pouring rain gave way to calmer skies as MIT’s 142nd Commencement began last Friday. Over 2,000 students received degrees in front of approximately 10,000 guests, including members of the 50-year reunion Class of 1958.
Yunus Speaks About Capitalism, Poverty, and the Future of ‘Social Business’
<i>Below is the text of Muhammad Yunus’ Commencement address delivered on June 6, 2008. Yunus was the recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.</i>
Prof. Robert Langer Wins Largest Award for Technology Innovation
Robert S. Langer ScD ’74, an MIT Institute professor and a leader in the development of controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering, has won the world’s largest award for technology innovation.
Guantanamo Camp Remains, But Not Its Legal Rationale
The Guantanamo Bay detention center will not close today or any day soon.
House Passes Extension of Unemployment Benefits
The House took another step Thursday in a running political fight over unemployment insurance by ignoring a veto threat from President Bush and easily approving an extension of benefits for idled workers whose aid is running out.
Shorts (left)
Microsoft’s four-month-long courtship of Yahoo has finally thrown Yahoo into the arms of their biggest common rival, Google.
Japan Wages War on Its Widening Waistlines
Japan, a country not known for its overweight people, has undertaken one of the most ambitious campaigns ever by a nation to slim down its citizenry.
Zimbabwe Detains Opposition Leader Again, and Aide Is Held On
The standard-bearer for Zimbabwe’s opposition was twice detained by the police on Thursday, and one of his most important deputies was arrested to face treason charges.
Shorts (right)
A leading Sunni political party’s headquarters in western Iraq was blown up early Thursday morning while in southern Iraq, where Shiite factions have been fighting one another, a powerful bomb was discovered on the road to an important Shiite shrine.
The Heat Is Gone
The series of hot days beginning last Saturday and ending last Tuesday was very unusual for this early in the season. Intense heating of the land relative to the chilly ocean (still about 60°F at the surface) typically supports a strong sea-breeze circulation, which serves to draw relatively cool air from Boston Harbor into Cambridge. During this heat wave, however, large-scale westerly winds generally did not allow the sea-breeze circulation to penetrate beyond the immediate coast line. The result was very hot afternoons, including as estimated high of 99°F (37°C) in Cambridge last Tuesday.
Critics Raise Cries of Sexism In Clinton Coverage
Angered by what they consider sexist news coverage of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, many women and erstwhile Clinton supporters are proposing boycotts of the cable networks, putting up videos on a “Media Hall of Shame,” starting a national conversation about sexism and pushing Clinton’s rival, Sen. Barack Obama, to address the matter.
The Nickname Edition: Yet Another Matchup For Celtics vs. Lakers
Praise The Basketball Gods, for you have smiled on us this June, most likely because Red Auerbach has joined your ranks. You have treated us to an incredible Lakers vs. Celtics matchup that has nearly lived up to the hype. (I say nearly because it’s not clear that even a Game Seven triple-overtime buzzer-beater fadeaway jumper could justify this amount of coverage.)
Men’s Lightweights Finish Eighth at Crew Nationals
On Saturday, June 7 the MIT men’s lightweight crew team finished eighth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships.
Outstanding Service Award for MIT Sailing Master and Coach
MIT sailing master and coach Fran Charles received the prestigious Graham Hall Award for outstanding service by a college sailing professional this past week at the 2008 Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association/Gill National Championship. As the recipient of this coveted honor, Charles was inducted into the Intercollegiate Sailing Hall of Fame.
Squid vs. Whale
For anyone who particularly cares (i.e. anyone not from America), UEFA’s Euro 2008 soccer tournament started up this week. This marks the 48th anniversary of European nations utilizing soccer as a proxy for war. Since European nations began having organized soccer tournaments in 1960, nary a war has been fought in Western Europe — a tremendous accomplishment for nations that used to invade each other for a laugh. Yes, the Union of European Football Associations, and not the UN, is to be praised for our long peace in Western Europe.
Life’s Lemmas
In a past column, I may have mentioned that I used an iron while building a desk and bookshelf. Although I’ve closed the book on the iron, there is more to say about the desk.
Talk Nerdy to Me
Shopaholic that I am, I own five different swimsuits — except, I can’t swim. Well, I can doggy paddle, but flailing pathetically around a pool just isn’t very attractive. I would wear flotation devices, except that’s even less attractive. (But, it’s a fashion statement! Suuure.)
