What I’ve Been Reading March 18

I’m not sure why I read this article, but I guess the title caught my attention and the writing held it. “Drowning in Drink” is simply an explanation of how one man (the author) quit drinking. It’s pretty interesting, even if it’s entirely not applicable to your life.*

Science and United States politicians seem rather like water and oil. What is with that?

Just try to envision yourself in a doctor’s office for a consult. Then imagine you’re joined by a state legislator. How many of you think the situation has been improved? Can I see a show of hands?

To encourage you to read the above link, I give you this hilarious tidbit:

You could also possibly discover that nations with the lowest per capita number of ferrets have a higher rate of prostate cancer.

I like the sentiments expressed about immigration in “It’s About Immigrants, Not Irishness,” but I think the idea that St. Patrick’s Day should celebrate immigration is, well, a little silly. The article is still worth reading, especially because the author expresses well the idea that immigration is not a bad thing, and immigrants are not bad people.

Apparently some people think Facebook is messing with our heads even more than all the airbrushing in magazines. It’s an interesting perspective, but it seems to be based primarily on one person’s anecdotal evidence. I’m curious how often Facebook affects the self esteem of young men and women through the constant availability of photos of other “normal” people.

*Shudder* Rick Santorum. Yeah, now he wants to get rid of porn. Personally, I find pornography a little disgusting, but seriously? Who does Rick Santorum think he is/who he’s going to be? The President of the United States isn’t a dictator that gets to control every aspect of our lives. You don’t like porn? You think it’s bad for society? Then teach your children that. Share with others in a reasonable manner why you feel that way. If you are a leader, share you opinion in a reasonable fashion with your constituents. If there’s a reason to legislate this, that reason is definitely not that you find porn to be immoral.

*Seriously. I don’t drink alcohol, and I read the entire article without getting distracted.