Posted by Ted Hopton on July 2, 2008
Two new papers illustrate the continuing power of Stanley Milgram’s shock experiments — and the diverse interpretations they still inspire.
I’ll never forget the powerful impact that learning about Milgram’s experiments had on me as a young man. Surely it was part of my strong belief in questioning authority. If you’re not familiar with these ground-breaking experiments in which subjects were encouraged to inflict terrible pain on another person, I urge you to read this article.
Posted in Ethics, Human Interest, Research, Science | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Ted Hopton on July 2, 2008
This article is rather unnerving, as it cites research demonstrating that in addition to being skeptical of others who claim to be acting moral, we also should be just as skeptical of our own convictions that we are acting ethically. Yes, we humans are that good at rationalizing our own behavior that we can’t really trust ourselves. So much for a *true* moral compass.
A moral hypocrite convinces himself that he is acting virtuously even when he does something he would condemn in others.
Posted in Ethics, Human Interest, Politics, Research, Science | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Ted Hopton on July 1, 2008
Can hookworms protect against allergies? In a quest to find out, David Pritchard infected himself.
This article literally makes me queasy. The thought of worms working their way around inside my body makes me want to throw up and completely grosses me out. Yet I have suffered most of my life pretty badly from allergies. I take Claritin all year, and now that I have moved to a farm it appears there are more allergens here than that medicine can overcome. The sneezing fits every morning are getting tiresome.
So, as disgusted as I am at the thought of having hookworms, I still find myself truly intrigued Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Ted Hopton on June 4, 2008
You know, I have not even had time to read this article because I have to rush out to the liquor store to buy some wine 
Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs.
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Posted by Ted Hopton on May 31, 2008
I got my first detailed, in-depth look at the problems of the industrial farming complex when I read Michael Pollan’s eye-opening book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (which I highly recommend). This NYT editorial cites two reports, one by the Pew Charitable Trust and one by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
As new reports make it clear, the efficiency of industrial animal production is an illusion, made possible by prisonlike confinement systems.
Not only is the efficiency an illusion, it’s actually a disaster all around. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Animals, Economics, Environment, Ethics, Food, Health, Human Interest, Politics, Research | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Ted Hopton on May 25, 2008
It doesn’t always seem that my brain is working better the older I get (anecdotal evidence I’ve observed might even suggest the opposite at times . . .), but the NYT says it is: “Older Brain Really May Be a Wiser Brain.”
“If older people are taking in more information from a situation, and they’re then able to combine it with their comparatively greater store of general knowledge, they’re going to have a nice advantage.”
Nice to hear some good news, for a change, about aging brains.
“It may be that distractibility is not, in fact, a bad thing,” said Shelley H. Carson, a psychology researcher at Harvard whose work was cited in the book. “It may increase the amount of information available to the conscious mind.”
So, when things that once seemed to be simple to call to mind no longer are, it’s not Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Ted Hopton on May 13, 2008
Fascinating column by David Brooks (who may be my favorite conservative columnist — and that’s not meant as a backhanded compliment) about the impact of neuroscience on fundamental human attitudes (not to mention fundamentalists’ attitudes). Thought-provoking and well worth reading!
The cognitive revolution is not going to undermine faith in God — it’s going to challenge faith in the Bible.
Posted in Human Interest, Research, Science, Spirituality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Ted Hopton on April 24, 2008
Fascinating! First, because it’s amazing to consider how close “we” came to extinction and second, that such understanding can be achieved through studying the human genome.
The human population at that time was reduced to small isolated groups in Africa, apparently because of drought, according to an analysis released Thursday.
Posted in Environment, Human Interest, Research, Science | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Ted Hopton on April 24, 2008
I’ve been listening to podcasts for years, although I admit my time spent with podcasts has declined since I started blogging (only so much time in the day, and it’s hard to concentrate on what someone is saying while thinking about what you are writing). If you’re looking for an effective advertising niche, research shows podcasts work.
“The studies showed a 73% increase in likelihood to use or buy an advertised product,” said Velvet Beard, vice president at Podtrac. “The studies showed that 69% of audience members have a more favorable view of in-show advertisers.”
Posted in Marketing, Research, Statistics, Web 2.0 | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Ted Hopton on April 19, 2008
Obama’s “bitter” faux pas has been flogged to death (except the controversy hasn’t died, yet). At the time, I cringed at his choice of words, as he really did mangle his point in a way that left him vulnerable to vicious distortions. But I thought he had essentially gotten it right and spoken truth.
This article challenges that conclusion and cites research showing Obama got it wrong — not wrong for his poor choice of “clinging” but wrong in understanding what motivates what kinds of voters.
Small-town people of modest means and limited education are not fixated on cultural issues. Rather, it is affluent, college-educated people living in cities and suburbs who are most exercised by guns and religion. In contemporary American politics, social issues are the opiate of the elites.
I’m not sure I agree, but I enjoyed reading an intelligent, informed Read the rest of this entry »
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