What I’ve Been Reading Feb. 18

I wonder if people are actually interested in what I’ve been reading? I read a lot, but I don’t always have much to say about it – at least not enough for individual blog posts. That’s part of the reason I decided to do “What I’ve Been Reading.” I suppose the idea probably came from Skepchick Quickies, although I don’t think I was conscious of the influence.

Someone new started following my blog, so I looked at her blog and that led me to a blog post about positive deviance (that the Audacious Educationalist reblogged) and the role it could play in our education system. I definitely encourage you to check out the post on positive deviance!

Is this man’s name really Mr. Dotcom? Also, had no idea Megaupload was facing criminal charges.

I wrote a research paper my freshman year on circadian rhythms. Kind of. Um, it was not a very good paper. This would have made it more interesting! Scientists are studying how circadian rhythms affect our immune systems.

Some research can be dangerous – what do we do in a world where information desperately needs to be circulated to scientists, but could result in bioterrorism? Should we ever consider withholding scientific discoveries from the public because of the negative results it may have? And would an attempt to only share the information with scientists do any good? Scientists are not without ethical flaws – some of them major flaws.

Goats have accents – are some harder to understand than others?

Wish drugs weren’t necessary to help people lose weight. At least the drug they’re talking about isn’t meant to be marketed to people who want to lose 5 or 10 pounds to get a bikini body. This is a prescription weight loss pill, and I don’t think the paper’s use of the term “diet pill” was entirely a good idea.

I don’t think I live in the same world universe as the person who wrote this. I’m glad I don’t because he seems to have a rather dreary outlook on life. He also seems to have an odd desire to feel like part of a flock of sheep (and I mean sheep in a negative way – mindless follower). I’d certainly agree society can learn something from religion, even something positive, but I disagree with Botton’s ideas.

Racial profiling, lovely. I’m giving you not one, not two, but three links here because they’re all relatively short and because I think all three are important. I especially love link #3.

I don’t really follow the official stances of different religious groups most of the time, and I also don’t like it when churches embroil themselves in politics (the Catholics are really, really good at embroiling themselves), but this article made me hopeful for November. This particular Christian group, while not wishing to become entangled in politics (they aren’t launching a campaign), took a very admirable stance on the MN marriage amendment.

And lastly, a link about what’s going on in Syria with mention of China’s roll in current issues.

I’m off to enjoy my Saturday!