Finally, something we’re not number one at. In empirical research at its finest, this paper has investigated ratings at RateMyProfessors.com, and determined that mathematicians are not number one, either in easiness, or in hotness. (We’re also not 36th out of 36 in either — this honor is reserved for chemists in both categories.)

Here’s an interesting little tidbit I spotted today. Polynesians once traveled throughout the South Pacific by canoe. Apparently, one way they navigated was by stick charts, which were bits of wood woven together to represent both the locations of islands and the direction of ocean waves. The charts themselves look like abstract sculptures rather than anything we would recognize today as maps.

More, including pictures, here.

As I’m sure everyone has heard by now, the site Career Cast announced the top professions. Number 1 is mathematician, number 2 is actuary, and number 3 is statistician. The top of the list features other taxing careers such as accountant and historian. It sounds like the metric was the reciprocal of physical exertion.