Archive for January, 2008

I love discovering the words behind the words we use. Many phrases begin to lose their connection to a literal meaning as society and technology progress. For example: to drop a dime is not as recognizable a way to inform on someone in a day of quarter pay phones and cell phones, and when you dial the police to make that call, you probably aren’t using a dial, but a keypad, touch screen or your voice.

Words and their evolution of meaning and use surround us. Full Story »

In an attempt to clarify the connection between laughter and health, a study was conducted on nursing mothers and their newborn children. They were shown either a Charlie Chaplin movie (a silent film eliminated language as a variable) or unexciting weather footage. Two feedings later those children whose moms had shown visible signs of humor (they laughed) had reduced allergic reactions and when tested, their mothers milk had increased levels of a hormone associated with relaxation.

So, even if you aren’t breast feeding, laugh for at least 15 minutes today. It’s probably good for you!.

Synaesthesia is a neurological condition that causes one to experience sensory “crosstalk” such as the perception of numbers having a color or words having a flavor. Many artists throughout history whose pictures or words seem to inspire other senses are being revisited with this condition in mind. Perhaps your favorite author’s metaphors were more literal than you thought and when you hear beautiful prose or see vivid imagery, the author is in fact speaking to your inner synaesthete.

“My real hair color is kind of a dark blonde. Now I just have mood hair.” - Julia Roberts

Recent research suggests that this fascinating and rare condition Full Story »

Sometimes the human brain’s amazing ability to find patterns becomes a disadvantage when it works to find meaning where none exists.

An experiment was conducted competing two groups of subjects, 50 human college students of average IQ and 50 mature rats of untested IQ.

A monitor was set up behind a food pellet dispenser. A dot would Full Story »