February 27, 2010 Excerpt
The word depression is used as a “catch-all” term to describe a “spectrum of symptoms.” I am wary of the medical standard which of late seems to prefer to medicate first and diagnose later, especially in children. Jonah Lehrer helps us to see that depression should not be dismissed so quickly:
“If depression didn’t exist — if we didn’t react to stress and trauma with endless ruminations — then we would be less likely to solve our predicaments. Wisdom isn’t cheap, and we pay for it with pain.”
A hefty price. However, it’s not always that simple, either:
“To say that depression has a purpose or that sadness makes us smarter says nothing about its awfulness. A fever, after all, might have benefits, but we still take pills to make it go away. This is the paradox of evolution: even if our pain is useful, the urge to escape from the pain remains the most powerful instinct of all.”
Read more about Depression’s Upside on the New York Times website.
02/24
Reading, writing, seeing, giving: Thinking for a Living.
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02/23
A certain web designer at The Phuse put on his science hat and came up with an altered Taxonomy for his gazillion fonts. It is ambitious. I helped him to fine tune the article, to fix a few grammar issues, but the man knows his typefaces. The article is beautifully rendered, which alone makes it worth viewing, but there’s also a little giveaway contest included, so head over to check it out and win yourself a prize.
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02/23
Archaeological Dig Reshaping Human History. “All our theories were wrong.” “First the temple, then the city.”
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February 23, 2010 Political Slant
This is both interesting and amusing. Ron Paul won the 2010 CPAC Straw Poll, which is an early republican presidential candidate litmus test. Doug Wead writes,
“But no matter how deep the denial of the American media you can be sure that Ron Paul’s victory sent shock waves through the rest of the American establishment.”
And then they got Tim Pawlenty to go on Meet the Press instead of Congressman Paul. Pawlenty came in 3rd with 6%. Ron Paul got 31% of the vote.
This poll by no means indicates that Ron Paul will be the Republican Candidate in 2012, but it may be an indication that he could win as an independent. He certainly has the popular support.
Update 02/24: I found this at Newser, Mike Huckabee Says CPAC is Too Libertarian, Not Relevant. Too Libertarian? Well, Ron Paul won. But not relevant? Just because the typical Republican candidates didn’t win? Because the grassroots movements are getting involved? Don’t you think it’s the mainstream Republicans that are becoming less relevant, and not the people’s opinions? Huckabee seems like a sore loser.
February 23, 2010 Sketch
Here’s a fun fact.
My dentist told me that flossing your teeth is the oral equivalent to wiping your ass. Then he described, with liberal hand gestures, the terrible things that happen when they have to surgically remove your sphincter; and the necessity for colostomy bags, despite their frightful malfunctions.
We really bonded.
February 21, 2010 Political Slant
Charles Krauthammer talks about “popular will expressing itself–despite the special interests– through the existing structures.” It’s nonsense to say the U.S. is ungovernable.
Tougher restraints on banks, a “fundamental shift” in policy, has been dubbed the ‘Volcker Rule’.
Finally, if you live in Kentucky and are able to vote, Rand Paul is running for Senator. In the words of an obscure British Hip-Hop group I know only as The Rub,
“No vote is no protest, do you understand?”
(Note: Rand is the son of Congressman Ron Paul, whose good ideas we’ve mentioned before.)
February 20, 2010 Political Slant
In the Washington Post recently, George F. Will traces historical precedent in Presidential elections to convince his readers that Palin will not be elected president in 2012. Why? Because Populist support hasn’t been large enough to win an election since Andrew Jackson. He concludes:
“Populism has had as many incarnations as it has had provocations, but its constant ingredient has been resentment, and hence whininess. Populism does not wax in tranquil times; it is a cathartic response to serious problems. But it always wanes because it never seems serious as a solution.”
I understand resentment. People want change because they are dissatisfied with the way things are now; they resent the policies (and the politicians) that led them there; and their resentment makes them speak out. They may even be whiny. All the same, his article is aimed at the wrong target. Read on »
02/20
Chart Porn! Don’t worry, it’s safe for work. There are no boobies (I agree, that’s kind of disappointing, because charts would be better with boobies).
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