Friday, May 30, 2008

Eels have spines

It's funny how when you spot a glitch in a presentation it can take on horrible proportions. Watching back my neuroscience explanantion for the Kavli prize I note that I say that eels don't have spines. I think I must have meant legs, but who knows? An old professor of mine at Cambridge was always keen to point out the difference between an error and a slip. I think the distinction is about what might reasonably have been in your head as opposed to your mouth.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Kavli Prizes

I've just got back from Oslo where I organised and chaired the announcement of the Kavli Prizes, new Nobel-like million dollar awards in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience. If you've nothing better to do, you could read about the prizes or watch the webcast including some badinage with Alan Alda (yes, that Alan Alda).