Deep thoughts, cheap shots and bon mots - XVI

Remember back in the "old days" - like 10-12 years ago - when you could easily spot a crazy person on the street? They'd be mumbling to themselves, and/or staring down stupidly as they walk down the street, occasionally bumping into you coz they're not watching where they're going, etc.

Well, now you can't tell who's crazy and who's not thanks to Smartphone users. Think about it. They do the same effing thing: gawk stupidly at their hand, devices half hidden, bumping into you coz they're not paying attention to where they're going, mumbling and/or shrieking at seemingly nothing, etc.

Smartphone users: the new mentally ill. Of course, eventually, they will be clinically deranged thanks to the radiation seeping into their heads.

Speaking of heads, and this should come as no surprise to anyone, it turns out that
there is an actual, physical difference between delicious Liberal brain and rotten Conservative brain. Apparently, Liberal brains have a larger anterior cingulate cortex - which regulates decision-making & critical thinking, while Conservative brains have larger amygdalas - which controls emotional learning and fear processing. No wonder Beck blubbers like a baby and sees bogeymen everywhere.

For more on this interesting phenomena, click HERE.

Switching gears, I just discovered a FANTASTIC holiday tradition in Sweden. According to Slate, every year on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., half of Sweden sits down in front of the television for a family viewing of the 1958 Walt Disney Presents Christmas special, "From All of Us to All of You." Or as it is known in Sverige, Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul: "Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas."

Seriously, literally half of the entire country spends a "traditional" Xmas Eve watching Donald Duck cartoons! I love it! Love it love it love it! And if you don't believe me, click HERE.

Staying abroad, here's a fun fact in case any of my Peace Corps buddies/former students are reading this:

Chance that a Russian believes the sun revolves around the Earth: 1 in 3

And before you trash the Russians, consider this:

Percentage of Mississippians who are unhappy with the outcome of the Civil War: 27%

Let me bang the drum again: Cut them loose, cut them loose, cut them loose!

Finally, I was happy to discover a place that lets me download free books on to me Kindle. It's all "classic" stuff, where the copyright has expired. I just got "The Count of Monte Cristo" coz it was the first one I saw from the daunting list that I hadn't read.

Rather than pore through the list, I thought I'd throw it out there for suggestions from folks as to what "classic" I should look for - in case I haven't read it. So let's hear your suggestions, folks!

And thanks!