Adventures in Everyday Madness Continuing
GERMANY OPENS 62-MILE BICYCLE HIGHWAY THAT'S COMPLETELY CAR-FREE Germany has opened the first three-mile stretch of a bicycle highway that will eventually span over 62 miles, connecting 10 western cities including Duisburg, Bochum, and Hamm, as well as four universities. And this highway is an entirely separate roadway that will remain completely car-free. Like a... Continue Reading →
The world is full of inspirational stories; ones that make you feel humble and ones that force you to count your blessings. It’s good advice, but please forgive me for not letting it lead my life. In the kingdom of the blind, the one eyed man is king. I don’t wish to be king and... Continue Reading →
I was reading a little about Seneca this morning. More to the point, I was reading about his enforced suicide. From another angle, can suicide be suicide if you are forced to do it? Suppose it can be if you are a stoic. Anyway, apart from his death, Seneca had quite a take on the... Continue Reading →
"Now, let somebody else have their say." There is a time when you just have to shut up and let somebody else speak, even though you, and people like you, have been accustomed to speaking and getting your own way for eons. "It's not fair," many are saying. "I'm a middle-aged white man and nobody... Continue Reading →
A 2014 study of 243 people born into poverty found that children who received "sensitive caregiving" in their first three years not only did better in academic tests in childhood, but had healthier relationships and greater academic attainment in their 30s. Parents who are sensitive caregivers "respond to their child's signals promptly and appropriately" and "provide... Continue Reading →
We hold democracy as highly as we prize freedom. Both go together like that old Grease song in which Socrates is played by John Travolta and decisions are made through a communal dance. Those with the most votes, win. For Socrates, this was a death warrant. He took it well, showing a philosophical pair of... Continue Reading →
Purposeful hand use enhances well-being in a technologically saturated culture. Research has shown that creating or tending things by hand enhances our mental health and makes us happy. Dr. Kelly Lambert (bertlab.com) explored the relationship between hand use, current cultural habits, and mood. She found that hands-on work satisfies our primal need to make things... Continue Reading →
In the survey, a group of 113 newlywed couples were rated on their individual looks. The researchers found that if the male was less attractive than his wife, he was much more likely to compensate with gifts, sexual favours and doing chores around the house. Unsurprisingly, that leads to higher marital satisfaction for the wife.... Continue Reading →
Being a Scrooge at Christmas is nothing to be proud of, or to apologise for. As far as I know, having reservations about this great festive break is perfectly legitimate. I was saying to my wife, before Christmas kicked-off, that we should not try our best to create an occasion that is 'perfect'. Christmas and... Continue Reading →
