Casual reading for the intellectually curious.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Psyched to Buy, in Groups
By DAVID POGUE
New York Times
You might think that this column is about Groupon.com, the white-hot Web site whose coupons save you 50 to 90 percent at local businesses. But it’s not. It’s about psychology.
You might think that this column is about Groupon.com, the white-hot Web site whose coupons save you 50 to 90 percent at local businesses. But it’s not. It’s about psychology.
Animation Nation
Quickly made computer-generated cartoons are attracting millions of viewers online. Now, corporations, advertisers and Hollywood executives are taking notice.
By ELLEN GAMERMAN
By ELLEN GAMERMAN
Why does contemporary classical music spurn melody?
Proponents of modern symphonic music cast unhappy audiences as unenlightened. But for most listeners, music elicits emotional rather than intellectual responses. Certainly, classical music should should challenge and evoke. It just shouldn't sound like bus crashes.
By Michael Fedo
By Michael Fedo
Christian Science Monitor
A few years before he passed, my father and I were discussing contemporary symphonic music. Like most concertgoers, Dad didn't care for it – except he wasn't like most concert-goers. He was a charter member of the Duluth, Minn., Symphony Orchestra, and sat in its French horn section for nearly 40 years.
A few years before he passed, my father and I were discussing contemporary symphonic music. Like most concertgoers, Dad didn't care for it – except he wasn't like most concert-goers. He was a charter member of the Duluth, Minn., Symphony Orchestra, and sat in its French horn section for nearly 40 years.
God at the Grammys: The Chosen Ones
Why do so many musical superstars think that their careers are part of a divine plan?
By NEIL STRAUSS
Wall Street Journal
Music interviewer Neil Strauss finds a surprising common thread that separates the famous from the super famous - a firm belief that a higher power is guiding the wildly successful into glory. He talks about his theory with WSJ's Christina Tsuei.
Music interviewer Neil Strauss finds a surprising common thread that separates the famous from the super famous - a firm belief that a higher power is guiding the wildly successful into glory. He talks about his theory with WSJ's Christina Tsuei.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
State Cyberbullying La A Brief Review of State Cyberbullying Laws and Policies
Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D. and Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D.
Cyberbullying Research Center
Cyberbullying Research Center
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Unemployment 101: Who pays for jobless benefits, anyway?
Employers pay state and federal taxes to cover all those unemployment checks. But with unemployment at 9 percent, those taxes aren't enough, leaving some states in dire straits.
By Ron Scherer
By Ron Scherer
Christian Science Monitor
The Obama administration is trying to change the way the unemployment insurance system is funded.
The Obama administration is trying to change the way the unemployment insurance system is funded.
Cameron's Multicultural Wake-Up Call
The growth of Islamist extremism in the West is something even the politically correct can no longer ignore.
By DOUGLAS MURRAY
By DOUGLAS MURRAY
Wall Street Journal
London
'Multiculturalism has failed," said British Prime Minister David Cameron last weekend in Munich. If anybody thought they had read those words before, it is because they have. Many times. Last October German Chancellor Angela Merkel (sitting onstage with Mr. Cameron when he gave his speech on Saturday) said the same. Finally, Europe's mainstream party leaders seem to be realizing what others have long noticed: Multiculturalism has been the most pernicious and divisive policy pursued by Western governments since World War II.
London
'Multiculturalism has failed," said British Prime Minister David Cameron last weekend in Munich. If anybody thought they had read those words before, it is because they have. Many times. Last October German Chancellor Angela Merkel (sitting onstage with Mr. Cameron when he gave his speech on Saturday) said the same. Finally, Europe's mainstream party leaders seem to be realizing what others have long noticed: Multiculturalism has been the most pernicious and divisive policy pursued by Western governments since World War II.
Working Stiffs: Playing Dead on TV Can Keep a Career on Life Support
Actors Are Sorely Needed for Corpse Duty; A Reporter Gets Shot on 'Law & Order'
By AMY CHOZICK
Wall Street Journal
"Corpses, hold your breath…and, Action!" the director yelled. I had been slumped in an office chair on a Hollywood set for hours, covered in a gooey mix of corn syrup and medical latex made to look like a messy chest wound.
It's not easy playing dead for a living.
"Corpses, hold your breath…and, Action!" the director yelled. I had been slumped in an office chair on a Hollywood set for hours, covered in a gooey mix of corn syrup and medical latex made to look like a messy chest wound.
It's not easy playing dead for a living.
For Federal Programs, a Taste of Market Discipline
By DAVID LEONHARDT
New York Times
Wouldn’t it be nice if taxpayers could somehow get a refund for government programs that didn’t work?
Wouldn’t it be nice if taxpayers could somehow get a refund for government programs that didn’t work?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Moles: Nature's rototillers are mightier than a machine
Mightier than a tunnel boring machine, moles are always busy making their mountainous hills.
By Lynda V. Mapes
Seattle Times
Dew sparkles on acres of lush lawn, velvety smooth and green. Except, of course, where molehills pock the perfection. [Graphic]
By Lynda V. Mapes
Seattle Times
Dew sparkles on acres of lush lawn, velvety smooth and green. Except, of course, where molehills pock the perfection. [Graphic]
Jules Verne on Google: Can you find all the hidden treasures?
Google's salute to Jules Verne has lots of nooks and crannies. Did you find the sunken crown? How about the divers?
By Chris Gaylord
Google crafted a loving tribute to Jules Verne today with its interactive logo. The company replaced its homepage banner with portholes, providing a charming view of 20,000 leagues – or at least 1,000 pixels – under the sea.
By Chris Gaylord
Christian Science Monito
Google crafted a loving tribute to Jules Verne today with its interactive logo. The company replaced its homepage banner with portholes, providing a charming view of 20,000 leagues – or at least 1,000 pixels – under the sea.
Brace yourself for the food-price bubble
If the world has a poor harvest this year, food prices will rise to previously unimaginable levels. Food riots will multiply, political unrest will spread, and governments will fall.
By Lester R. Brown
By Lester R. Brown
Christian Science Monitor
In early January, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that its Food Price Index had reached an all-time high in December, exceeding the previous record set during the 2007-08 price surge. Even more alarming, on February 3, the FAO announced that the December record had been broken in January as prices climbed an additional 3 percent.
In early January, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that its Food Price Index had reached an all-time high in December, exceeding the previous record set during the 2007-08 price surge. Even more alarming, on February 3, the FAO announced that the December record had been broken in January as prices climbed an additional 3 percent.
Death Tax Ambush
Many states now have crushing burdens.
Here's some free financial advice: Don't die in New Jersey any time soon. If you have more than $675,000 to your name and you die in the Garden State, about 54% may go to the IRS and the tax collectors in Trenton.
Here's some free financial advice: Don't die in New Jersey any time soon. If you have more than $675,000 to your name and you die in the Garden State, about 54% may go to the IRS and the tax collectors in Trenton.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Going to Great Lengths for Beautiful Hair? Dermatologist Shares Hair Care Tips for Healthy and Damaged Hair
American Academy of Dermatology
Speaking today at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, consulting professor at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C., discussed the most common sources of hair damage and tips to reverse damage and maintain healthy, lustrous hair.
The Claim: Whispering Can be Hazardous to Your Voice
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Ever have a bad case of laryngitis? To protect your voice, you may have felt the urge to whisper. But many otolaryngologists advise against this, warning that whispering actually causes more trauma to the larynx than normal speech. Singers in need of vocal rest are often given the same advice: Avoid whispering. It will damage your pipes.
New York Times
Ever have a bad case of laryngitis? To protect your voice, you may have felt the urge to whisper. But many otolaryngologists advise against this, warning that whispering actually causes more trauma to the larynx than normal speech. Singers in need of vocal rest are often given the same advice: Avoid whispering. It will damage your pipes.
Most ADHD Kids Have Multiple Conditions, Study Says
Two-thirds face other struggles, such as learning disabilities, anxiety, speech problems, data shows.
By Maureen Salamon
HealthDay
MONDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Two-thirds of American children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder struggle with other mental health and developmental conditions, such as learning disabilities and anxiety, a new study suggests.
By Maureen Salamon
HealthDay
MONDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Two-thirds of American children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder struggle with other mental health and developmental conditions, such as learning disabilities and anxiety, a new study suggests.
Why So Many Rich People Don’t Feel Very Rich
By CATHERINE RAMPELL
New York Times
Our post last week on whether the salary of Robert Gibbs, who is leaving his post as White House press secretary, is “modest” provoked some interesting reader comments. Several readers chimed in to say that even if it most likely placed Mr. Gibbs comfortably in the top 10 percent of earners, an annual salary of $172,000 probably didn’t feel like a lot of money, given where he lives, similarly educated counterparts in the private sector, etc.
Our post last week on whether the salary of Robert Gibbs, who is leaving his post as White House press secretary, is “modest” provoked some interesting reader comments. Several readers chimed in to say that even if it most likely placed Mr. Gibbs comfortably in the top 10 percent of earners, an annual salary of $172,000 probably didn’t feel like a lot of money, given where he lives, similarly educated counterparts in the private sector, etc.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Mobile Wallets Poised for European Takeoff
By KATHY GORDON
Handbag and wallet makers beware: the day when we will finally be able to leave the house with just our mobile phone is approaching. Contactless payments are being integrated into mobile phones so they can be waved past a mobile reader to pay for our shopping.
Handbag and wallet makers beware: the day when we will finally be able to leave the house with just our mobile phone is approaching. Contactless payments are being integrated into mobile phones so they can be waved past a mobile reader to pay for our shopping.
An ‘unbeatable’ jockey robot
By Bonnie James
Gulf Times
An Indian robotics research engineer has developed in Qatar a voice command jockey robot system that will save racing camels from whipping.
An Indian robotics research engineer has developed in Qatar a voice command jockey robot system that will save racing camels from whipping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)