Book Review: �Why String Theory?� by Joseph Conlon

Why String Theory?
By Joseph Conlon
CRC Press (November 24, 2015)


I was sure I�d hate the book. Let me explain.
I often hear people speak about the �marketplace of ideas� as if science was a trade show where researchers sell their work. But science isn�t about manufacturing and selling products, it�s about understanding nature. And the sine qua non for evaluating the promise of an idea is

Away Note

I have a trip upcoming to Helsinki. After this I'll be tied up in family business, and then my husband goes on a business trip and I have the kids alone. Then Kindergarten will be closed for a day (forgot why, I'm sure they must have some reason), I have to deal with an ant-infection in our apartment, and more family business follows. In summary: busy times.

I have a book review to appear on

How can we test quantum gravity?

If you have good eyes, the smallest objects you can make out are about a tenth of a millimeter, roughly the width of a human hair. Add technology, and the smallest structures we have measured so far are approximately 10-19m, that�s the wavelength of the protons collided at the LHC. It has taken us about 400 years from the invention of the microscope to the construction of the LHC � 400 years to

NEW ART AT MADE BY GIRL

Hey everyone!

It's been awhile since we've done a painting sale......I've been busy working on quite a few things. Being a mom, working a few collaborations with other companies, paintings commissions & possibly even starting another company, so stay tuned to hear more!! - Woo Hoo!  But today, I'd like to introduce you to 5 NEW (5"X7") MINI Colors paintings! Although one of the pieces is not pictured below, it is available in the online gallery!

P.S. please keep in mind, these are vertical mini 5 x7 paintings at $65 each.

The Holy Grail of Crackpot Filtering: How the arXiv decides what�s science � and what�s not.

Where do we draw the boundary between science and pseudoscience? It�s is a question philosophers have debated for as long as there�s been science � and last time I looked they hadn�t made much progress. When you ask a sociologist their answer is normally a variant of: Science is what scientists do. So what do scientists do?
You might have heard that scientists use what�s called the scientific

Dear Dr B: If photons have a mass, would this mean special relativity is no longer valid?

Einstein and Lorentz.[Image: Wikipedia]

�[If photons have a restmass] would that mean the whole business of the special theory of relativity being derived from the idea that light has to go at a particular velocity in order for it to exist/Maxwell�s identification of e/m waves as light because they would have to go at the appropriate velocity is no longer valid?�


~ Brian Clegg

(This

Dagne Dover + Made By Girl

If you didn't know,  I recently collaborated with Dagne Dover. A handbag company that focuses on sophisticated &  organized handbags for the modern woman. Their bags are the most functional bags I've owned. In fact, I can't say enough of how functional they are on he inside, while still looking beautiful on the outside. I own their black 15 inch tote and if you're a business owner like myself, this bag is great! This design is very well thought out and even allows a protective slot for my laptop! With that said... when they approached me about a collaboration - I was on-board! 

We collaborated on around 45 items (card cases + handbags) which I hand-painted myself with my signature style. There are limited quantities available & they're almost all sold out. You can view the entire collection here.  It includes brushstrokes, lipstick kisses & flamingos!  

If interested in collaborating with me on something, shoot me an email! I'd love to hear about it!

-post by jen ramos

Book review: �The Big Picture� by Sean Carroll

The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself
Sean Carroll
Dutton (May 10, 2016)

Among the scientific disciplines, physics is unique: Concerned with the most fundamental entities, its laws must be respected in all other areas of science. While there are many emergent laws which are interesting in their own right � from neurobiology to sociology � there is no doubt

FASHION: 6 Dresses for warm weather

Hey everyone! Happy Friday!! 

New York City weather has been unpredictable - but last week we got a taste of warmer weather & I got excited at the prospect of wearing dresses again! I actually went shopping yesterday and purchased a few styles. But, if you're like me, you know there are styles online that you just won't find in stores. So, I ended up buying a couple more for the warmer weather....

I also decided to make your shopping experience a but more fuss-free & choose 6 styles that I'm sure you'll love.  I'm a size 4 - so these would suit my figure.  My husband was nice enough to get me this one by James Perse for early Mother's Day gift....now I just have to make sure I can keep working on my abs! Ha. 

Hope these will suit you too! 

1. Asos jersey dress
2. boohoo stripe shirt dress
3. House of Sunny tie front dress
4. Asos ruffle low back dress
5. james perse twisted sleeve dress
6. Asos off-shoulder mini dress



-post by jen ramos

YOU'RE INVITED: DIY MOM'S DAY EVENT AT FOSSIL

Will you be in NYC tomorrow May 7th? 

If so, I'd like to invite you to a wonderful Mother's Day DIY event that I'll be hosting at Fossil on 5th avenue.  There will be breakfast bites, mimosas & more! Plus you'll get a chance to paint your own tin & plant a succulent to bring home to mom! 

Or you can just treat yourself! All info below! Come by & say hello! Please RSVP here.

-post by jen ramos

Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity 2016

I am happy to announce that this year we will run the 5th international conference on Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity here in Frankfurt, Germany. The meeting will take place Sep 19-23, 2016.

We have a (quite preliminary) website up here. Application is now open and will run through June 1st. If you're a student or young postdoc with an interest in the phenomenology of quantum gravity,

12 Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Hello everyone!!!

It's almost the end of April & guess what? Mother's day next month! I know some of you may be wondering....what in the world do I get mom??? Or the wife?   - Often times even my husband will be at a loss what to get his own mom or me on Mom's day!  So, if you're like my husband and not so good at figuring those things out, I'm here to give you a few ideas.

So, this Mother's Day I partnered with Fossil to make that shopping decision a little easier.  Below is my list of 12 Gift Ideas for mom...but I wanted to highlight 9 & 10 and mention these two in particular.  They're from Fossil's newest collection in partnership with Me to We.  It�s a social enterprise which empowers women who are artisans from around the world in order to end poverty in their communities.  The Fossil x ME to WE collection celebrates African Mamas with a beautiful beaded collection handcrafted by artisan mamas in Kenya.

1. Sugar Paper cards

2. Me-To-We beaded bracelet via Fossil
3. Small Leather wristlet via Fossil

 4. Me-To-We leather tassle charm via Fossil

5.  Flower bouquets

6.  Kitchen Aid stand mixer

7. Fossil blush Leather Watch
 8.  Mom Tee

9.  Live Color Fully perfume via Kate Spade

10.  'My Luxe' firm density pillow

11. Sandals via Jcrew
12.  William Sonoma Pitcher

-post by jen ramos
-Sponsored by Fossil Group, Ind. All thoughts and opinion expresses are my own.