As a Disneyana fan, having songs stuck in my head comes with the territory (it’s what kind of world after all?). I’ve always accepted it as part of my life. But now, thanks to some new research, there may be a scientific explanation. In a study published in the academic journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity
I’ve recently heard a radical idea: we should become a cashless society. The technology is pretty much here, with credit and debit cards, PayPal, and even Bitcoins. Other countries are moving in that direction. South Korea has established a goal of becoming a cashless society by 2020 (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2016/03/488_199146.html). India and the Scandinavian countries are also
What makes a good novel? You need a hero, a villain, and a compelling story. And for the story to be really memorable, your hero needs some flaws. That’s why there is kryptonite in the Superman sagas; invincibility makes for a very boring read. Now translate that into the very real world of politics. As
I am a veteran. I normally don’t say that very often, because my military career didn’t always go as planned, and my war was Vietnam. But today is Veteran’s Day, and many who were far more heroic than I deserve recognition. This day is even more meaningful when you realize that on this day in
Who hasn’t needed a little extra sleep? That’s why snooze buttons were invented. But what really happens if you push it? A recent post on the “Science of Us” website addresses this question. It cites a Wall Street Journal column by behavioral scientist Dan Ariely that reports using the snooze button (especially multiple times) doesn’t
What if you were a real meat-lover, and one day, after decades of eating whatever you wanted, you suddenly developed what appeared to be an allergic reaction a few hours after eating a steak? Your family physician will tell you no, you’re wrong, you can’t be allergic to meat, it must be something else (or
On the eve of this very important election, I thought it would be interesting to compile some memorable thoughts about tomorrow’s decisions — A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user. — Theodore Roosevelt A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t
Insects are tiny creatures. So why are many people afraid of them? A recent article on the Science of Us website (http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/10/why-are-so-many-people-scared-of-bugs.html?) explores this phenomenon. There are several reasons for an elevated fear factor. First, insects can be really dangerous. The ones that bite or sting can cause real trouble, especially if an allergy is
Today, while working as a substitute teacher at the local high school, I had a chance to sit in on a motivational speaker. It was all oral, so I have to rely on my memory for the details, but this man told a story that really made an impression on me. He is a high
This piece is for my fellow Disney fanatics. I have been reading the book Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt’s Dream Spotless by Ken Pellman & Lynn Barron (Synergy Books, 2015). I’m only about two thirds of the way through (it’s 439 pages of narrative plus supporting material), but it’s the best book