Link Me Up, Scotty - Science and Art Edition

Saturday, September 19, 2015
Researchers may have found a physical, treatable reason for depression, namely that depressed people are allergic to inflammation.The article also notes that "inflammation is caused by obesity, high sugar diets, high quantities of trans fats, unhealthy diets in general, and other causes." I'm a bit skeptical about this since the research is still pretty preliminary, but what if it's true?

H/T Kat
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A small New Hampshire Library has decided to reinstate their Tor exit node, to the thundering support of their constituents. Once again, public libraries leading the way in the public space in defense of civil liberties and the Constitution. Proud to call you colleagues, Lebanon Libraries Board.
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So there's a guy in Washington, PA, who owns a Barber Shop. It's a "gentlemen's barbershop," as he specializes in beards, men's haircuts and providing a "masculine" atmosphere. And he's just been fined $750 for declining to cut a woman's hair.

You know, I've spent my entire life working in male dominated fields. I understand the historic issue associated with denying service to people who have been traditionally oppressed. And I understand why some women would want to go to a barbershop instead of a salon - my own hair is about 1.25" long, after all. But I don't understand the value of complaining and fining this dude because his privately owned business does not have the equipment or the skill set to cut women's hair. Women aren't his target market. I try to be empathetic to people who have differing priorities and see these things through a different lens. But I don't get this. Like men suing to join "Curves," it just seems like a political statement that doesn't need to be said.
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Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qasssemi is a wealthy member of one of the ruling families in the United Arab Emirates. He's also a collector of Arab art, which he displays all over the world in an effort to "take the narrative away from the extremists. "

"We are building bridges of communication with the western world and the eastern world. And I think that art is a global language, much like music, and that people will identify with artwork even if they don't understand the history of the Middle East."

Some of the pieces from his collection are truly thought-provoking, and provide insight into the lives and culture of the artists. 
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My quasi-celebrity platonic boyfriend Eric Garlard weighs in on the longevity of craft beer. Having recently completed The Great Douglas County Brew Tour, sponsored by the Douglas County Library (natch), I find this prediction heartening.

P.S. The Smart Man and I now own a "beer passport" to document all the tap rooms we visit, and what kind of beer we tried. HA!
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Ken White over at Popehat provides a thoughtful analysis of the culture of fear that drives ridiculous over-reactions like the one that took place in Irving, TX over young Ahmed Mohamed's homemade clock.
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Here are ten things Genotopia learned by reviewing Richard Dawkins. It's no secret I think Richard Dawkins is a misogynistic douchebag, so these really resonated. My favorite: "4) Fundamentalist atheists HATE being called that. So do it early and often."
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Video of the Day: Just watch. HAHAHAHA!

1 comments:

TimBo said...

Given Feel Guide's Disclaimer I'd be pretty skeptical of anything published there without outside confirmation.

"FEELguide.com contains published articles, speculation, assumptions, opinions as well as factual information. Information on this site may or may not be true and is not meant to be taken as fact. FEELguide.com makes no warranty as to the validity of any claims."