Good Fact

Ancient Solution, Modern Problem

- Adam Clare

Alexander Moseson wrote:

A scientist is resurrecting 4500 year old technology from the pyramids to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly concrete. It produces 90% less CO2 than the standard Portland Cement, which is the second largest producer of CO2 behind fossil fuels. This could have huge applications in modern society, but even better, they hope to use it to provide cheap or free housing to developing communities all over the world.

(Alex is a graduate student working on the project.) Thanks for sharing Alex!

Denmark is Happy

- Adam Clare

Denmark is one happy place, and has been that way for decades. When measuring life satisfaction, researchers have consistently concluded that the Danes are the most satisfied, but what is their secret to their happiness?

It’s that Danes have low expectations.

“It’s a David and Goliath thing,” said the lead author, Kaare Christensen, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense. “If you’re a big guy, you expect to be on the top all the time and you’re disappointed when things don’t go well. But when you’re down at the bottom like us, you hang on, you don’t expect much, and once in a while you win, and it’s that much better.”

The above link is for the NY Times, so use bugmenot.

Greetings From America!

- Vanessa King

As I ring in the holidays with my family down in southern California, the warmth of my sunny Christmas tan is not all that has given me warm fuzzies today. I learned that this is also the greatest season of giving to great global causes by many individuals like you and me! So Christmas is not just a season of capitalism and extravagant frivolous spending after all. People all over North America are also giving back and giving more each year to good causes. 

Here are some factoids I found from here in the US……

christmas-money.gif• $260 billion: Charitable giving in the U.S. in 2005, up 2.7 percent.

• 50 percent: Of the charitable giving of individuals is done between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

• 77 percent: Charitable giving in the U.S. by individuals, (or $199 billion).

So if you haven’t thought about it already, maybe this is a season where you too can give back in some way! Help spread a little love around the World!

Happy holidays everyone!!

The Grinch Strikes Hollywood

- Agasel 2 Comments

Gift baskets at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards will become a thing of the past, according to recent news reports.   Ceremony reps for both shows confirmed that, starting in 2007, presenters will not be given extravagant grab bags, which have totaled up to $100,000 (US).

A Golden Globes rep alleged that all attendees (even in the audience) would receive gifts “valued at less than $600.”  A rep for the Oscars stated that “the Academy would like to thank presenters in a way that doesn’t carry a tax burden.”

Taxes are one reason why gift baskets are being nixed.  Under U.S. income tax law, the baskets are seen as income, not gifts, and are subject to heavy taxes.  The IRS reached an agreement with the Academy for previous extravagant gifts, including sending tax forms to 2006 Oscar presenters.

Another reason why celebrities will take home less next year: Edward Norton.  The actor criticized the practise, describing it as a waste.  He is quoted in a future edition of New York magazine as saying: “I’m sick of this. It’s not who we are – it makes us look ridiculous and out of touch. If these evenings are going to be a celebration of our craft and what we express about what’s going on in the world, then picking through $35,000 gift baskets is disgusting and shameful.”

Tea Time to Focus

- Adam Clare

Some new research (from a company that makes tea) has found that tea has a chemical that helps people be more attentive.

“Every cup of tea naturally contains the amino acid theanine. Tea is virtually the only dietary source of theanine, apart from the edible bay boletes mushroom, which explains why sometimes only tea will do.

The effects of 50mg theanine – the amount present in 2-3 cups of PG tips tea is known* to stimulate alpha brain waves which are associated with being relaxed yet alert. Alpha activity is thought to be important for the ability to focus attention.”

Scroll To Top