1. "In Battle, Hunches Prove to Be Valuable" - This NYT article attempts to explain why, both physiologically and psychologically, some soldiers in war zones are significantly better than most at detecting dangerous situations (e.g. soldiers who are known for their ability to identify IEDs before detonation).
2. "In Study, Texting Lifts Crash Risk by Large Margin" - This NYT article discusses a study of truck drivers (based on eighteen months of taped observation) that shows that texting while driving increases the risk of a crash by up to twenty three times. The authors claim the pattern extends to non-commercial drivers as well. The research is currently undergoing peer review.
3. "Should Thursday be the New Friday? The Environmental and Economic Pluses of the 4-Day Workweek" - Scientific American discusses the potential benefits of four-day workweeks (e.g. four days of ten hours each instead of five days of eight hours each), citing Utah as an example of the savings that can be had: "Local governments in particular have had their eyes on Utah over the last year; the state redefined the workday for more than 17,000 of its employees last August. For those workplaces, there's no longer a need to turn on the lights, elevators or computers on Fridays—nor do janitors need to clean vacant buildings. Electric bills have dropped even further during the summer, thanks to less air-conditioning: Friday's midday hours have been replaced by cooler mornings and evenings on Monday through Thursday. As of May, the state had saved $1.8 million."
July 29, 2009
On a lighter note
LOST season 6 promos!!!
Not spoilers, just little teases to keep you guessing...
Oceanic ("30 years" (since 1979, so we know it's current) "with perfect safety record"??)
Hurley ("nothing but good luck"?? and check out how the people behind him look like, but aren't, Locke, Walt, and Michael)
Kate (DIDN'T kill her stepfather??)
And biggest "holy shit" of all: the official ABC teaser
ALSO: a promo poster featuring ALL the characters, dead and alive...probably just an advertising ploy, but what if this means the bomb really did "hit the reset button?!?
Thank you, Comic-Con.
Not spoilers, just little teases to keep you guessing...
Oceanic ("30 years" (since 1979, so we know it's current) "with perfect safety record"??)
Hurley ("nothing but good luck"?? and check out how the people behind him look like, but aren't, Locke, Walt, and Michael)
Kate (DIDN'T kill her stepfather??)
And biggest "holy shit" of all: the official ABC teaser
ALSO: a promo poster featuring ALL the characters, dead and alive...probably just an advertising ploy, but what if this means the bomb really did "hit the reset button?!?
Thank you, Comic-Con.
Two Very Different Articles
Two articles I thought were worth sharing:
2-D Love
Casualties of War in Iraq - it's very long but absolutely worth finishing.
2-D Love
Casualties of War in Iraq - it's very long but absolutely worth finishing.