Jacobs Physics
@jacobsphysics.bsky.social
Physics program consultant; sports broadcaster; umpire. (Edna fan art by @aldescery)
Official blog: https://jacobsphysics.org
Official blog: https://jacobsphysics.org
Here's an example of how my insistence that students list the applying and experiencing object for each force in a free body helped a student get a free body just right. #iTeachPhysics
jacobsphysics.org/2026/02/14/d...
jacobsphysics.org/2026/02/14/d...
Demand that students write descriptions of forces. This method *works*.
A person pushes a block to the right. After the person pushes, the block slows down due to friction on a rough track. Draw a free body diagram of the block after the person pushes while the block s…
jacobsphysics.org
February 14, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Here's an example of how my insistence that students list the applying and experiencing object for each force in a free body helped a student get a free body just right. #iTeachPhysics
jacobsphysics.org/2026/02/14/d...
jacobsphysics.org/2026/02/14/d...
Watching men's figure skating. Currently in 1st place: Canadian skater Gogolev. Wonder if Gogolev is friends with Disco Stu.
February 10, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Watching men's figure skating. Currently in 1st place: Canadian skater Gogolev. Wonder if Gogolev is friends with Disco Stu.
This is about soccer, but has direct resonance for when physics teachers have to do public relations with folks - parents and colleagues and admins - who don’t know about physics teaching but think they do, and yet have a right to give their input. #iTeachPhysics
🔴Conceding from aerial balls ❌
⚪️Being transitioned on too easily ❌
🔴Issues with deep progression without Williamson ❌
⚪️Converting chances
This week’s Arsenal Women Newsletter looks at Renee Slegers’ ability to problem solve through coaching 👇🏻
awnewsletter.arseblog.com/on-renee-sle...
⚪️Being transitioned on too easily ❌
🔴Issues with deep progression without Williamson ❌
⚪️Converting chances
This week’s Arsenal Women Newsletter looks at Renee Slegers’ ability to problem solve through coaching 👇🏻
awnewsletter.arseblog.com/on-renee-sle...
On Renee Slegers and problem solving through coaching
Early in Renee Slegers’ reign as Interim Manager, Arsenal travelled to Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village and were absolutely robbed blind in a 1-1 draw. (The game irritates me to this day). Th...
awnewsletter.arseblog.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:44 PM
This is about soccer, but has direct resonance for when physics teachers have to do public relations with folks - parents and colleagues and admins - who don’t know about physics teaching but think they do, and yet have a right to give their input. #iTeachPhysics
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
Birnam Wood do come to Dunsinane
February 9, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Birnam Wood do come to Dunsinane
Amazon Ring: Now You Can Stalk Anyone!
February 9, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Amazon Ring: Now You Can Stalk Anyone!
That review just gave Seattle a timeout. Oy. Just go with the call on the field.
February 9, 2026 at 1:05 AM
That review just gave Seattle a timeout. Oy. Just go with the call on the field.
And shit, there's the first crypto ad. See, the Federal Reserve doesn't need to advertise at all, let alone at the Super Bowl.
February 9, 2026 at 1:03 AM
And shit, there's the first crypto ad. See, the Federal Reserve doesn't need to advertise at all, let alone at the Super Bowl.
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
Mercury, Messenger of the Gods, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 18th c, 📸 by @PhilEllsworth1
February 9, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Mercury, Messenger of the Gods, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 18th c, 📸 by @PhilEllsworth1
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
The PSA condemning anti-Semitism loses a touch of its impact when followed by a chorus of toilets singing Phil Collins.
February 9, 2026 at 12:52 AM
The PSA condemning anti-Semitism loses a touch of its impact when followed by a chorus of toilets singing Phil Collins.
Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks RB) looks like he's a 40yo English Literature professor.
February 9, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks RB) looks like he's a 40yo English Literature professor.
That Patriots pass defensed looked like the Donnarumma save from this afternoon. @meninblazers.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 12:23 AM
That Patriots pass defensed looked like the Donnarumma save from this afternoon. @meninblazers.bsky.social
Huh. Super Bowl ad for AI. So, people need to be convinced, at great expense, to use their crappy product. Sorta like pepsi.
February 9, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Huh. Super Bowl ad for AI. So, people need to be convinced, at great expense, to use their crappy product. Sorta like pepsi.
Would they say the Super Bowl is in the Chicagoland Area if it were held in Milwaukee? Cause San Jose is pretty far from the GG bridge...
February 8, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Would they say the Super Bowl is in the Chicagoland Area if it were held in Milwaukee? Cause San Jose is pretty far from the GG bridge...
Let’s just make the whole team a captain now?
February 8, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Let’s just make the whole team a captain now?
Why are these hall of famers getting serenaded by violins as they leave the port-a-john?
February 8, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Why are these hall of famers getting serenaded by violins as they leave the port-a-john?
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
Me! I'm a many who wanted an AI-free browser experience!
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser after user feedback revealed many who wanted an AI-free browser experience.
New Mozilla Firefox version to allow AI features to be blocked
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser.
www.siliconrepublic.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Me! I'm a many who wanted an AI-free browser experience!
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
I have yet to see any evidence that there is a market for AI-generated books outside of people being tricked into thinking they are not AI-generated books. AKA, it is a project of scamming and deceiving people, and really should be treated as fraud
February 8, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I have yet to see any evidence that there is a market for AI-generated books outside of people being tricked into thinking they are not AI-generated books. AKA, it is a project of scamming and deceiving people, and really should be treated as fraud
Just finished watching Liverpool/Manchester City. Gawd, I hate 115-charges-Manchester City. They earned the win tonight. The save at the end was not world class, but universe class.
February 8, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Just finished watching Liverpool/Manchester City. Gawd, I hate 115-charges-Manchester City. They earned the win tonight. The save at the end was not world class, but universe class.
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
I've updated my document that tackles four of the common arguments used to encourage teachers to use AI.
I hope this will be helpful to those educators wanting to push back on AI mania.
I hope this will be helpful to those educators wanting to push back on AI mania.
Resisting School AI Mania Help Sheet
Help Sheet: Resisting AI Mania in Schools K-12 educators are under increasing pressure to use—and have students use—a wide range of AI tools. (The term “AI” is used loosely here, just as it is by man...
docs.google.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
During the Soviet era, at times of govt instability, the state broadcaster would typically preempt scheduled broadcasts by airing performances of Swan Lake
And, tonight, the network's flagship news program -- 60 Minutes -- ran a clip show of old celeb interviews to "celebrate the movies" rather than put together an episode focused on what's going on in Minnesota.
The person who publishes the Free Press — where the words “Minneapolis” and “Minnesota” never appear tonight — also runs CBS News.
January 26, 2026 at 2:59 AM
During the Soviet era, at times of govt instability, the state broadcaster would typically preempt scheduled broadcasts by airing performances of Swan Lake
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
The 1st time I read through the whole Bible as an adult it struck me even the "fire & brimstone" Old Testament God was all fire & brimstone-y at the Israelites bc over & over they weren't caring for the "widow, the orphan, or the stranger within their gates."
The Religious Right isn't Christianity.
The Religious Right isn't Christianity.
January 23, 2026 at 8:48 PM
The 1st time I read through the whole Bible as an adult it struck me even the "fire & brimstone" Old Testament God was all fire & brimstone-y at the Israelites bc over & over they weren't caring for the "widow, the orphan, or the stranger within their gates."
The Religious Right isn't Christianity.
The Religious Right isn't Christianity.
Reposted by Jacobs Physics
I was present for the birth of the web, the explosion of personal sites, and the blogging revolution, and you know what we never had to do? Beg people to use our shit.
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I was present for the birth of the web, the explosion of personal sites, and the blogging revolution, and you know what we never had to do? Beg people to use our shit.
Huh. My son is named “Milo”, so draw your own conclusions. 🤷♀️
One of the best ways I know to sort Gen Xers/old Millennials into levels of trustworthiness is to take note of which beloved 80s/90s comic strip they never shut up about. Calvin & Hobbes? That's a good-hearted normie. Far Side? Probably annoying, plays hours of RPGs. Bloom County? Fully radicalized.
January 21, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Huh. My son is named “Milo”, so draw your own conclusions. 🤷♀️