2008 - April/May
Dossier
Nepotism, over and above the tolerating point
The backing of one’s own professor and help from a thick web of friends in the United States is fundamental, for a university career. An inevitable conduct according to Kristopher Gutierrez, Post-Doc at the SISSA of Trieste. Much distant though from the “degenerations” found in the Italian academic world.
It’s not just about wages differences, in Italian and American universities even organization of the work of research is different. Kristopher Gutierrez, 32 year old, American, and Post-doc reseracher at the international superior School of advanced studies (Sissa) of Trieste, points out the “structural” limitations of the scientific research Made in Italy.
Doctor Gutierrez, you are involved in a special and fascinating sector like study of energies from galaxies’ , or ‘High Energy Astrophysics’. Do you have in Trieste all the necessary instruments for your researches?
“I have at my disposal the structures and experiences of Sissa, but for those doing research in my field, there aren’t any particular need of instrumentation. Full Story
Dossier
Let’s take-back merit!
To stir things up has been the project christened “Ateneo pulito” (www.ateneopulito.it) brought-upon by Lucia Lazzerini, full-tenured professor of Philology of Romance at the University of Florence. In Padua has been reintroduced by the prefect Antonio Padoin on his web site ‘www.rinnovareleistituzioni.it’. Riding the tide has arrievd the stance taken by the businessmen headed by Jacopo Silva, president of the Young members of Confindustria of Padua.
If Italy is the taillight trailing the field of research, there must be some reasons. If in the Bel Paese registration at scientific faculties is dropping, there must be a reason. If the teaching posts are held only by “the kids of” and the teaching body is almost older than the political class, it must not all be faulted to the “mama’s boys”. Full Story
Venetian Itinerary
A trace of ink long from Venice to Havana
From the Cuban beaches to the islands of Venice, the trace left by Hemingway is indelible. A human and literary journey which has become a myth.
There are lives rooted in the earth, others belonging to legends, few suspended between myth and reality. One of these is that of Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest writers of modern times, who knew how, through the same strength, to clinch in his hands a Nobel Prize as well as a glass of good rum. His fame is tied to the many literary masterpieces he left for posterity, to his reckless life and obsessive passion for travels, which incited him to move about half of the world, even when his health conditions worsened dangerously. Full Story
Current Affairs
A café to discuss science
To rediscover the gusto of spreading science seating at a pub’s table. It happens in the USA, where a new way of holding classes is spreading in university campuses and provinces. It is the fashion of the ‘Science Café’.
Who said that to attend a lesson on the evolution of the species or on the theories of biogenetic one has to walk through the portals of a great university? Listening to a “lectio magistralis” is possible, even by making an appointment at a pub while sipping a coffee or a beer. It is what’s been happening in the United States for the last few years. They are called ‘Science Café’ and, for all practical purposes, they are bonafide bars, where ordinary everyday people and students have the chance of listening to a university professor explain, in simple words, very complex scientific concepts and theories. Under the sign of democracy at all levels, United States are bringing young and not-so-young people closer to applied sciences and the results are very much evident. Full Story
Alfa Romeo makes America dream
The features of the future Alfa Romeo’s models can be already perceived in the styling of the “8C Competizione”, whose sinuous curves bring to mind the glorious past of the Italian car builder.
Alfa Romeo shows its forms…and muscles…in the USA. Smoothing the way for its return on the American market, after an absence of 15 years, with the distribution of the seducing and aggressive “8C Competizione”. Through introduction of this dream’s car, certainly not for all pockets, the prestigious Italian car builder enters, at the same time, in the super-car segment. A particularly lively niche in the United States. Eighty are the two-seaters, on a total production of 500 units, which have been allocated for sale in the USA. Full Story
Sport
World Champions!
New York elates for the Giants’ victory at the Super Bowl. The hopes of the New England Patriots crash against all the odds, thanks to a touch-down scored by the Giants at 30 seconds from the end of the game.
The champions of the world are the New York Giants. While the New England Patriots, unbeaten until Super Bowl, represent the finest example of the Murphy’s law in the history of American professional football, capitulating in the only game that they absolutely must not have lost. After winning all 18 season’s matches, the Patriots, in fact, fell for 17-14 at the hands of the New York team in the much awaited game played on February 3 in Phoenix, Arizona. Full Story
