Possible SETI hit

[compilerbitch]

Original story:

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996341

Immediate retraction:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3621608.stm

I wonder what is going on here?

Comments

[pseudomonas.livejournal.com]

I suspect that it's something that's dubious but of possible interest within the field, and people realised just a little too late what the press would do with it, and hence retracted rather than have it turn into a huge hype that would damage the reputation of the whole enterprise.

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

That seems most likely. It was interesting that the first news I heard about this was the retraction -- I had to go looking for the original story.

[hermeneut-me.livejournal.com]

Sorry that this isn't at all related to your post, but I was wondering if you could tell me what the Norfolk building at Ed's is like as I have been allocated a room there?

x

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

What room category is it in?

The Norfolk building is reasonably OK, quite old, with rooms that vary from quite small to quite large. It's the main college building, basically, so you have the advantage of not needing to go outside in order to go to the bar or to hall for food. I am currently in the Richard Laws building, but am moving into the Norfolk building next term. (Partly because it's slightly cheaper, partly because I think I might stand a slightly better chance of more of an in-college social life than I managed last year).

[hermeneut-me.livejournal.com]

It's a category three.
Is there a social life at Ed's?
I feel like I am learning a whole new language and culture.
x

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

Your room should be reasonably nice, I think -- it's the same category I've asked for.

Cam certainly is its own culture, and to some extent its own language, but that's something you will adapt to surprisingly quickly. At first it will seem very bizarre, but eventually your mind will begin to crumble (like ours) and it will seem normal.

Social life at Ed's is a bit variable. I don't personally find it all that easy to socialise in college, partly I think because there are a lot of overseas students who tend to form language-specific cliques. The bar tends to be well attended and friendly, though, so that's something. One *very* good bit of advice is to join a few societies at fresher's fair -- most people seem to find their strongest social group that way. I wimped out last year and didn't join any, but I'm intending to force myself this year. I have resolved to make a better attempt at the social thing this year -- I gradually got somewhere with it last year, but it took two terms!