Lusus Naturae - The Rise of the Homo Zapiens

From my tumblr.

Beware of the rise of the homo zapiens...!

Or should we?

The terminology "homo zapiens" was taken by yours truly from the weekly academic news alert I get from KU Leuven: "The trick to learning on the go? Keep it simple".  Because we've gone beyond Generations X & Y...it's Generation ZAP! with all the current electronic technobaubles nowadays--laptops, smartphones, tablet PCs, mp3 players, to name a few.  But coupled with these gadgets is the pull of going on a multimedia multitasking in terms of learning.

Now, the article talks about how "multitasking" nowadays is a myth, because our brains aren't built that way. Well, as Daniel Kahnemann discusses in his seminal book "Thinking, Fast and Slow", there are two modes of thinking--Systems 1 (fast) and 2 (slow).  Try to mix those modes and you're bound to trip over your proverbial shoelaces...not unless you do slow thinking (and learning) while doing something routine and repetitive (but not necessarily boring), like running.  Definitely not Facebook-ing, Tumblr-ing, Tweeting...or surreptitiously checking on my blog.

Dear Labby - Frying Pan or the Fire?

From Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson.

Welcome to our weekly agony-column for confused (post)grad-students--Dear Labby!  This week's letter is about how we deal with curmudgeons-in-chief (i.e., your boss...es).

Dear Labby,
I think I'm losing my sanity bit by bit every time my two thesis advisers call me for a one-on-one meeting. Not only do they "highly" suggest that I do additional experiments, they contradict each other when it comes to my project planning! Prof. A wants me to jump, but Prof. B wants me to sit--just to illustrate my point, if you know what I mean. Hnnnnnngh! What am I to do??? 

Torn Between Two Mentors

Leven in Leuven - Cubicle Ephemera

Today I am off to the land of Brussels to visit my embassy for some important errands.  For now, a glimpse of a part of my lab office desk.

"Clutter, clutter everywhere, not a myth left from the ghetto," is what I would say, twisting a bit from what David Bowie once sang in "Young Americans".

Dear Labby - A Career-Changing Dilemma?

From photo-dictionary.

Welcome to your weekend agony-column for confused (post)grad students--Dear Labby! Today's letter is from a worried lady with two children--her PhD thesis AND her own unborn kid:

Dear Labby, 

I have a boyfriend for 3 years now and I am at the last leg of my PhD. I just found out that I got pregnant, but I am afraid my PI will not renew my contract next year because of funding issues. I am so close to finishing my thesis, but I don't think she understands the joy/responsibilities of having a baby.

Mommy-in-waiting

Lusus Naturae - The Mind of A Predator

Today's note is a very short one (I've been sick the past week), but upon checking my archives of science news alerts, I found an article featuring fluorescent calcium signalling in the zebrafish brain when it sees a delicious (living) item swimming past its eyes.

It's...fascinating. Especially for someone who has been working with these critters for more than 3 years already...

Leven in Leuven - An Everyday View

Mild weather days ahead, thus perfect for walking to work (sometimes). I still cannot figure out what in the world is that white pillar at the roundabout of Gasthuisberg.