Dan Dunn’s Podium

It’s hard for me to characterize the MBTA’s most recent insanity: Are they in denial about their security problems? Or are they so disconnected from reality that they think they can hide their security problems? Let’s explore the question.
First, a review of recent events: Three MIT students study the MBTA’s security and prepare [...]

I came across this interesting article about the problems in the space station a few months ago.  Key points:

You can’t count on a cable to heat itself if you put it by the dehumidifier.
It’s worse if the dehumidifier is balky.
It’s a bad idea to have your three-way redundant power system depend on a single wire.
It’s [...]

First the Universal Hub told me that the Charles was flammable and I wondered what was going on. Later I read that the fire might be the result of MIT students and the annual sodium drop.
In this post-9/11, post-Aqua-Teen-Hunger-Force world, how long can it be until Mayor Menino demands vengeance?  How soon until he [...]

Two years ago Dr. James Sherley became one of the hundreds of talented MIT professors who were denied tenure and sent packing.  Unlike most, he started on a hunger strike.
I postulate: If someone thinks that a hunger strike is a good way to get tenure, they’re likely not a good candidate for tenure.
I’ve never met [...]

A high point of MIT geekdom.  Be sure to watch the party mode video.

Boston Globe reports on college endowment returns. MIT earned 23% on $8.4B. I don’t really wish I had $8B, but it would be nice if I earned 23% on what I do have.