An article in Scientific American entitled The Color of Sin–Why the Good Guys Wear White posits that “ancient fears of filth and contagion may explain why we think of morality in black and white.” The article cites the findings of a series of experiments in which words with “strong moral overtones” were printed in either… Continue reading “The Color of Sin”
Author: Eric
Remembering a True Hero – Chiune Sugihara
I suppose I just have not been paying attention, but I had never heard of Chiune Sugihara until last week, when I read his story on the Mental Floss blog. If his name is also unfamiliar to you, please take a few minutes to learn more about him, as his actions are credited with saving… Continue reading Remembering a True Hero – Chiune Sugihara
Abbye: In Loving Memory
Woodpecker
Debbie was watering the plants on the front porch when she heard a tapping sound. She looked up and spotted the source: a ladder-backed woodpecker working its way up the trunk of our neighbors’ red oak tree. We don’t see many woodpeckers around here, so it was definitely a photo opportunity. In the second photo,… Continue reading Woodpecker
Seeing is Disbelieving
Brains are funny things [Via Neatorama].
Living Small
There’s a lot to be said for simplifying one’s life, although it’s usually much easier to talk about it than to actually do it. I often declare (to no one in particular) that every time we buy something new for the house, we should get rid of something old. Of course, that only allows us… Continue reading Living Small
Random Thursday
More bloggy randomness while asking the eternal question, “what did you think was going to happen when you gave people money to trade in their pickups?” If you’re in the oil business (aka the “awl bidness”) and you’re not a regular reader of The Oil Drum, then you’re missing out on one of more valuable… Continue reading Random Thursday
Coyote Serenade
We’re constantly delighted with the intrusion of the rural trappings of nature upon the suburban location of our neighborhood. However, one of those trappings had been noticeably absent in the past few months: coyotes. That’s not entirely accurate. I had occasionally spotted one here and there, even in the middle of the afternoon, but we… Continue reading Coyote Serenade
The Anatomy of a Curve Ball
In honor of the World Series (which I understand is being contested now between two teams indistinguishable from Yankees, regardless of what they’re called, and thus is of absolutely no consequence to your scribe) here’s an analysis of why a well-pitched curve ball is the stuff of batters’ nightmares. The animated visual is particularly remarkable.… Continue reading The Anatomy of a Curve Ball
Instant Coffee Gratification
When we arrived for our usual Wednesday evening interlude at the Rankin Highway Starbucks, we were greeted by a barista wearing a lobster on her head. I tried not to stare, acting as though this was a commonplace occurrence in my daily routine, but curiosity finally got the better of me. Why are you wearing… Continue reading Instant Coffee Gratification