by Craig Marker | Jan 8, 2007 | Uncategorized
From the Dec 19 edition of The Economist:”Tyler Cowen of George Mason University points out that America has more than 3,000 halls of fame, honouring everyone from rock stars and sportsmen to dog mushers, pickle-packers, and accountants. In such a society,...
by Craig Marker | Jan 5, 2007 | Uncategorized
Today I rented a car. I reserved a subcompact because I generally like small cars and I am rather thrifty (wanting to spend less on gas). However, at the Avis counter, I was told that my reservation was upgraded. I found that upgrade meant they were giving me a...
by Craig Marker | Jan 5, 2007 | Uncategorized
MSNBC.com has an article titled “Could low-carb diets lead to birth defects?” The interesting thing about the article is that it is lack of folate that can lead to birth defects. Many breads and cereals are fortified with folate. Thus, if you are a...
by Craig Marker | Jan 3, 2007 | Uncategorized
Wired Magazine has an interesting article titled: “The Thin Pill. How Big Pharma turned obesity into a disease – then invented the drugs to cure it.”Here is an excerpt:”Metabolic syndrome is characterized by five risk factors: high blood pressure,...
by Craig Marker | Jan 2, 2007 | Uncategorized
Individuals are considered to have stable personality traits. There is much research on how these traits affect many different outcomes, such as health, relationships, and finances. However, one long-term debate is whether people actually have any stable traits. This...
by Craig Marker | Dec 31, 2006 | Uncategorized
Dr Anton Mesmer believed in the power of “animal magnetism”, as a universal force that could cure illness. His patients would gather around a large enclosed wooden tub with iron wands protruding out of it. The patients would hold the wands and touch them...
by Craig Marker | Dec 28, 2006 | Uncategorized
Benjamin Franklin at the age of 20 created a self-improvement project. He sought to cultivate his character by attempting to follow thirteen virtues. His autobiography lists his thirteen virtues: 1. “TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to...
by Craig Marker | Dec 26, 2006 | Uncategorized
Slate.com discusses research by Alexandre Mas and Enrico Moretti, who studied behaviors of grocery store checkout clerks. Below is an excerpt from slate.com:”What happens when an unusually hardworking (or lazy) worker joins a team?The question is part of the...
by Craig Marker | Dec 26, 2006 | Uncategorized
Two new books have been released recently that discuss problems with String Theory in the field of physics. One book, “Not Even Wrong: The Failure of String Theory and the Search for Unity in Physical Law” by Peter Woit discusses how String Theory is not scientific....
by Craig Marker | Dec 25, 2006 | Uncategorized
Scientific American: Airborne BaloneyThe latest fad in cold remedies is full of hot air
