Getting Intel From Twitter, Getting Help From Online Communities, Getting A Job And Target-Centric Astronomy (Link List)

The great things about having friends is that they send you stuff.  I love getting links and articles from contacts all over the world.  It is like Christmas every time I open my inbox...

OK, maybe not exactly like Christmas, but close!

Anyway, with no particular theme and in no particular order, here is a sampling of just some of the stuff that engaged my brain cells over the last few days:

Ten Simple Rules for Getting Help from Online Scientific Communities.  This is actually a good list for anyone trying to get help from any online community.

Truthy.  According to the site, "Truthy is a research project that helps you understand how memes spread online. Our first application was the study of astroturf campaigns in elections."  They have just recently added a feature that allows you to map any Twitter hashtags that you find interesting (It was down earlier but might be up by the time you read this).

Why grad schools should be more like steel mills.  Interesting essay on the current focus of graduate education and how it should change.  Not a bad read if you are a grad student or a teacher of grad students.  From Craig Zelizer on the Peace and Collaborative Development Network.

Do 'the Risky Thing' in Digital Humanities.  More grad student advice.  While this author focuses on digital humanities, I think the points apply to other disciplines as well.  I am particularly drawn to the advice, "Make sure that someone's got your back, but do the risky thing."  (Thanks to my colleague, Diane Chido!)

Preparing Grad Students for Careers Outside of Academia.  This post aggregates comments from Chronicle of Higher Education readers about the opportunities and challenges facing graduate students. 

Target-Centric Astronomy.  Saved the best for last!  My colleague, Steve Marrin, sent this out over the always useful IAFIE list.  It compares how astronomers do their business to how Robert Clark says intelligence analysts should do theirs.  Brilliant stuff!