Things I Think Are Kinda Cool

YOU: I can’t believe that 2010 is almost here…the start of a new decade.

BRAIN: I know – what will happen next year…so many questions. Will Iran get any closer to a nuclear weapon? Will our health care system improve? Will Apple finally release a tablet computer?

YOU: Yeah, sure, whatever. Will Brangelina finally self-destruct? How many more babies will Michelle Duggar pop out? What’s next for Snooki!?!

BRAIN: Who?

YOU: Never mind. I guess you’re gonna make me read a bunch of ‘interesting’ articles now, right?

BRAIN: Wait…seriously.  Who’s Snooki?

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* If you’ve been paying attention over the past few years, you might think our government has been an abysmal failure – the economic crisis, failed levees, broken Congress, terrorists slipping through the cracks. So the real question is, why do these people still have jobs? – Salon

* Kidnapping and hostage-taking has become an extremely lucrative business in Nigeria. Explore the intricate ins and outs of this thriving industry, and find out why negotiating a ransom can be considered an art form. – NY Times

* When a good actor becomes a fully developed character on stage or screen, what physiological changes are going on in his brain? For the first time ever, scientists observe the brain activity of British thespian Fiona Shaw while she’s acting, and the results are very interesting. – BBC

* Elizabeth Warren, the Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel, is one of the few trustworthy voices talking about the economic crisis. She talks about the potential of an America without a middle class – it’s not as unbelievable as you might think. – Huff Po

* Fregoli Delusion is the name of an odd mental condition where a patient thinks that different people are actually the same person wearing a variety of disguises. Presque vu is the sensation that you’re about to have an amazing epiphany, although it never actually happens. Find out more about these and other strange conditions of the human mind. – Mind Cafe

* The Soviets failed miserably in Afghanistan 30 years ago…if we want a more successful outcome, what can the US learn from their mistakes? – Daily Beast

Prepare to be bombarded with an onslaught of ‘Decade Retrospectives’ over the next few weeks – most people are already considering the years 2000-2010 to be the most depressing and awful decade in the history of the US.  Good times!

Newsweek beat most other news outlets to the punch and has already produced a video highlighting the biggest events of the past decade.  Besides the invention of the iPod and ‘Lord of the Rings’ sweeping the Oscars, it’s an incredibly gloomy stroll down memory lane.  Enjoy!  Bring on the ‘teens!

-via @artglobe

BRAIN: Uggghh…Oooohhh…Aaaggghh…

YOU: What’s wrong?  Are you sick?

BRAIN: I’m so full…yet so empty…I can’t believe you forced me to do it.

YOU: What?

BRAIN: You made me watch the entire “America’s Next Top Model” marathon – yesterday and today.  Cycle 6 and Cycle 7.  I can’t believe Danielle won.  And, ugh, that Melrose was so obnoxious.  And remember Jade?  Thailand…Barcelona…HELP.

YOU: OK…this isn’t good.  I’m so sorry.  Here…let’s read these articles:

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* A revealing yet light-hearted look at how public radio stations convince readers to donate cash through guilt-trips, begging, flattery and more.  Those annoying fundraising drives are psychologically deeper than you might think. – Slate

* In what will hopefully be the final Balloon Boy analysis, Frank Rich paints a vivid picture of the current American landscape of fame, opportunity, and desperation by drawing parallels to fame-hungry Americans in the Great Depression. - NY Times

* You’ve heard “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” your whole life.  But maybe it’s not true.  Is it possible to determine if a person is dangerous just by looking at his/her face?  Psychologists weigh in and give their professional opinion based on some startling research. – Slate

* Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich shines a light on what’s been happening on Wall Street over the past few months since the public has shifted attention to Health Care, Letterman, and Balloon Boy.  In a nutshell, the much-needed regulation never happened and the situation is looking extremely precarious…again. - Salon

* People with Asberger’s syndrome have a hard time dealing with social situations and usually lack empathy towards others.  Some lawyers for criminals with Asbergers claim that locking them up in prison would be cruel and unusual punishment because of the stressful social situations they would face.  Should they be treated differently? – Slate

Stimulate This!

You’ve probably heard news reports over the past few weeks about the Obama administration’s “Cash for Clunkers” program.  In a nutshell, Americans can trade in their gas guzzling, inefficient cars for a rebate towards a new, more energy efficient auto.  The rebate amount varies between $3500 and $4500 depending a few factors…but the bottom line is that as long as the clunker can run and the new car has a better fuel efficiency, you’ll be eligible towards a rebate.  Already, the $1 billion allotted for the program has almost dried up, so the government is currently in the process of approving another $2 billion (the bill was already approved in the House – now it’s up to the Senate).

Many opponents have tried their hardest to find fault with the program, but after a few weeks, it’s biggest critics are changing their tune.  Diane Feinstein, who was initially skeptical that the fuel-economy requirements of the program were too lax, was just quoted in Time Magazine, saying ”this program has done much better than we ever thought it would for the environment”.   And as the vote to extend the program is now in the Senate, the NY Times reports that even Senator Jim DeMint, who has been one of the most vocal opponents, said he would not use his power to block replenishing the program’s funds.

I can tell you from personal experience that this program has had a huge impact.  This past weekend, I was in DC visiting my friend TJ, and we spent a chunk of time looking for a new car.  The dealership we ended up at was packed with people…not just browsing the lot, but actually driving out in new cars.   The refreshingly trustworthy and honest salesman we worked with said that since the program was announced, the influx of customers has been overwhelming.  There was definitely a buzz in the air.  I saw an incredibly diverse group of people crammed in the showroom…grannies, young people, huge families, 1st-generation immigrants, business executives, etc.

It’s about time we heard some good news related to the Great Recession and the stimulus that was intended to create some tangible results.  Hopefully this is just the beginning…

Above image courtesy of www.chunkypita.com