Implicit

Ran across this article at Scientific American about a test that claims to be able to discern attitudes and biases toward something that the person isn't even aware of.

You can try it yourself, here, on all kinds of topics ranging from religion to weapons. I did one on gender and science. It's interesting to view the results and then try and decide if that is really an attitude you hold, or is it just a matter of living in today's world and experiencing the "norm" for where you are.

There's one on relationships, too. Something to do with measuring the quality of your relationship by testing you and your partner in a number of different areas. Of course I want to try this one out just to see what it says, but have to get Superman on board first.

Holy curiosity (Batman.)

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. The important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when contemplating the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of the mystery every day. The important thing is not to stop questioning; never lose a holy curiosity." 

- Thomas Edison

Bruises and blood

I had a discussion today with Val on the nature of bruises.

"Oh Mommy! You have an owie! It hurt you?"

Yes I do, and yes, it does.

"Lemme kiss it and it feel better." She gently kisses it, her hands tenderly touching either side of the mark. "Why it not bleeding?"

Well, it is bleeding, but all the blood is underneath the skin. See all the colors? That's from blood being where it's not supposed to be.

"Oh. And all the blood, it go down your leg onto your foot?" I can tell she's thinking about where there would be blood to clean up, and then place a band-aid.

No, it's not outside my skin, it just stays inside.

"Why, Mommy?"

...at this point I'm tempted to launch into a detailed explanation of the circulatory system and skin, but I refrain, knowing it's outside her ability to comprehend even if I did use words she could understand. I always figure more information is better than too little, though. Because one day (and I don't know which one) she WILL be able to understand it, and when she's able to, I want her to at least remember that someone did tell her a little bit about it before. And maybe it'll make more sense after the fact. That sort of thing has happened to me lots of times.

Why, Mommy?

I think every young child with an avalanche of 'whys' needs a scientist like Richard Feynman at their beck and call. I certainly would have put him to good use. I probably still would, now. Most of the time, I like to know why.

I have long since answered the what would your dream job be? question on various online surveys, "to hang out with kids and take all the time we need to help answer all the questions they have." Wouldn't you know it, I now find myself in that occupation 24/7. However you'll notice my dream job did NOT include cooking and laundry and baths and errands and wiping bottoms. So unfortunately Val's questions don't always get the thorough answers they so often deserve.

For some things (like when I tell her to do something) I don't always explain why, espcially if I sense it's a delay tactic. But I have incorporated an "obey first, then ask questions" rule and it's worked pretty well. I'm happy to explain to her why it is I've asked that she not stand on two stools that she's stacked precariously on top of each other, but I'd like the immediate follow-through to my command to get down, first. I'm not about to launch into an explanation as to why standing on such stools is unsafe... as if it is to be submitted for her consideration before she makes the final decision to get down or not. No. Not at all.

However, outside of those type scenarios she does ask why quite often and I do tire of answering her. I really, really try not to resort to "because" or "that's just the way it is" and though I've been tempted to follow in the footsteps of Calvin's dad for some things, I've restrained. My practice now is to keep giving her an answer as best I can and if the question is repeated, I will repeat my answer with different words or from a different perspective or add depth to it until she's satisfied and either stops asking why or makes some sort of observational comment that tells me she's happy with at least part of what I said. And of course there's always the, "why do you think that is?" which almost never fails to give me a glimpse into how her mind is working. I love that, and it helps me explain better when I see which direction she's going.

I hope to instill in my kids a love for knowledge and information, so they'll always be interested in learning, adapting and growing, as well as a love for reading, so they'll be able to research answers to questions on their own.

How well can you read a face?

I think this test was pretty fun to take. Can you tell the difference between a real and fake smile?

My kind of tattoo

If I was ever to get a tattoo I'm afraid it would be something geeky. Something so unique that it would take at least five minutes of explanation to the poor person who dared inquire. Something not unlike many of the tattoos found at this site. Yay! Nerdiness!

You know that my tattoo would have to be all about entropy because Hello! Look at my blog title! I think the concept of entropy describes life quite nicely. Complicated. More than one way to look at it. Constantly fluctuating. Chaotic or calm. Hot or cold. Organized or disorganized. Here is a cool entropy-related tattoo. It's been a long while since I've been swimming in science and I miss it. I'd like to encounter it on my own terms though, at my own pace, thank you very much! No more finals. I want to learn for fun, not for a test.

If I were to get a tattoo representing life right now it would probably entail a baby tooth. That's what my life has been all about for the past couple of days - teething.

Polio vaccine or jail. You choose.

"Nobody has the right to unfettered liberty, and people do not have a right to endanger their kids," said John Harris, a professor of bioethics at the University of Manchester. "The parents in this case do not have any rights they can appeal to. They have obligations they are not fulfilling."

- taken from Jail for Belgians Who Reject Polio Shot from The Associated Press.

Because ultimately, the government decides what's best for your kids. Not you.

I haven't declined any of Kem's vaccines but holy cow this seems a bit extreme.  Just who exactly should determine what constitutes "endangering" children anyhow? Parents can't be trusted anymore, or can they? I had already heard about Maryland school officials forcing parents to vaccinate or face truancy charges and I'm pretty sure I'm not OK with that. But now Belgian parents being sentenced to five months in prison? Really!?! So, what, serve the sentence and then you're free to vaccinate (or not vaccinate) as you see fit? Five months per vaccination you decline? Just how far is this going to go, anyhow? I'll be interested to see what happens.

I think my brain just broke.

"The measure would require physicians to tell women seeking abortions at 20 weeks' gestation or later that their fetuses could feel pain and offer to deliver anesthesia "directly to the pain-capable unborn child.""

Excerpt from this article.

Superbeck's comment - so does this mean the 'pain-capable' unborn child is also 'life-capable'? I don't know of anything that's not alive that can feel pain. (Yes, yes, what is pain? neuro-pathways, etc. etc. this type of discussion intrigues me.)

The above article stemmed from this one in the NY Times which is probably a lot easier to read and understand.

Squeak!

Also, what's up with this? Odd specifications for just falcon food and that would have to be a LOT of falcons. I'm surprised they didn't specify a strain.

TJL

Just another reason I love my job.

Smarty pants

Hah.

My first little brother is a veritable storehouse of seemingly useless information, that is, until you want to buy a car, or a boat, or a motorcycle and then you'd better believe he will get you the very best for your money.

My second little brother has taken enough high-level math classes to give any of us a headache.

My only little sister is spectacularly creative and has quite the quick wit (developed in part with help from the first little brother.)

And me? Well. As I am the oldest sister, naturally, I taught them everything they know. Except random facts about energy efficient vehicles. Or linear algebra. Or how to paint a lovely canvas of a water-skiing brother.

As much as I would like to gloat I am sure this isn't true of our family.

Well. That seems logical enough.

"Science will never prove or disprove God... because if that happens, then Hebrews won't be true, [because] the only way to please God is by faith."

- Jim Daly

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Hebrews 11:6 NIV (emphasis mine)

Ice ice E. coli.

I would like to see a larger sample size, but still, yuck.

LOL

Tell me a joke!

Cold

"Duh," says my mother.

Stem cells

This is intriguing.

Drip

Cry me a river.

Computer mice

By "as big" do they mean literally as big as half an actual mouse's brain? Because that would be impressive.

Breaking news!!!

Run, Superman, RUN!

How cool is that?

CME

3D pictures of the sun? Cool!