nanila: (old-skool: science!)
Mad Scientess ([personal profile] nanila) wrote2012-02-13 01:57 pm

Bring out your bad vectors; throw 'em on the cart.

Our group has a meeting every week in which two people, a member of Space and a member of Atmos, give talks. It was my turn to speak for Space last week. I talked about new issues in magnetometer calibration, which is exactly as thrilling as it sounds. So I attempted to spice things up with photos, like this one.



[Two chaps and two ladies point sternly at a box labeled "Bad Vectors".]

You see, when we find bad data, we like to make sure that nobody tries to do science with it. We collect up the corrupted vectors and put them in the Bad Vectors box. The chap on the far left, who is extra keen, seals up the box so that none of them can escape.

This is exactly how it works. Let no one tell you otherwise.

We also have special musical accompaniment, which includes such fine titles as "Calibration" by Carr & the Gang. We even won an award for our efforts, as shown below.



[A badly Photoshopped image of Kool & the Gang. This was on my title slide, which took far longer for me to make than any of the actual content.]

If we ever actually win an award for calibration, which is highly unlikely, I intend to insist that we recreate this photo. I think we all look quite dapper.

[personal profile] boundbooks 2012-02-13 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"You see, when we find bad data, we like to make sure that nobody tries to do science with it. We collect up the corrupted vectors and put them in the Bad Vectors box. The chap on the far left, who is extra keen, seals up the box so that none of them can escape."

I KNEW IT. FINALLY, THE TRUTH REVEALED!
surexit: A beautiful, theatrically shocked woman. (:O)

[personal profile] surexit 2012-02-13 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I would be very very scared of the extra keen chap if I was a bad vector.
chickenfeet: (mew)

[personal profile] chickenfeet 2012-02-13 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
The Bad Vector Box should, of course, be tied up tight with a Tensor bandage.
lark_ascends: Blue and purple dragonfly, green background (Default)

[personal profile] lark_ascends 2012-02-16 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
Heeee heee heeee...
pbristow: (_Bogton)

[personal profile] pbristow 2012-02-18 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
That's amazing! That's exactly what we do with our bad vectors in video compression, too! =:o}
pbristow: (Gir: "Yaay!!!")

[personal profile] pbristow 2012-02-18 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I now ABSOLUTELY want to start an SF fanzine/rock band/underground political movement with the name Bad Vectors.