Like A Box Of Chocolates

This post is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

What's a Scenester? Do you recognize any apple store indies, perhaps? Do you think it's fair to generalize about others based on fashion, or do you think the portraits are largely accurate? Do you recognize yourself in any of the scenesters? Is there a point where seeking individualism simply becomes a uniform; is it possible to be the non-conforming conformist? And if indivdualism is the goal, to be outside the collective interest, how is adopting a fashion trend, emo, for instance, contrary to this goal--or is it? Can you think of examples where individual expression morphed into a fad?



In fascinating science news, did you know it was possible to help make a reef out of old subway cars? It's happening along the east coast (USA) and these subway reefs are teeming with life, in areas that were once practically ocean deserts. Why are reefs so important? Though the practice has been discontinued primarily, it's only because the subway cars are being built differently and it's not financially beneficial or necessary to dispose of old cars this way. Environmentally it seemed to be a winning solution. Watch a short video here.

In creepy science news, the newly discovered zombie-ant fungus ZOMBIE- ANT FUNGUS, surely takes the cake. (What the heck does the phrase take the cake mean, anyway?)

Because yesterday was International Women's Day and Josephine Baker came up in conversation, read more about her. I think we all found her heroic work with the French Resistance during WWII to be the most intriguing, but by no means is this her bravest act. (You can read all about it here, under the heading Rise To Fame. *There is one bare-breasted photo of Josephine.) It's important to understand, as you read about Ms. Baker, that every ounce of her life was impacted by racism. While she left the US for France and Europe to escape the Jim Crow Laws in the US, her ready acceptance and fame in France was very much due in part to France's then-colonization of Africa (the height of which occurred in the 1920s-1930s, when Ms. Baker arrived in France). African art, images and yes, people were embraced for consumption by the whites, and African-descent people were objectified, so it's important to read about her life, her career and mutual admiration of her and the French people in this context. For another look at her life, view this six-part video of Josephine Baker: The First Black Superstar.

Touchstones Of The Week

To catch us up a bit after days of being ill, I'll cover things that we discussed this week.

Since we just celebrated Valentine's Day, let's take a look at the history of the holiday.

Hey, you know that piece about making a cola that tasted like Coke, that we heard part of the other night? Here's the entire piece. Have fun exploring the archives for all kinds of interesting stories, from exploring True Urban Legends to asking What Is Money?

So, remember when Angela (Bones, The Foot In The Foreclosure, season 5) used the fictional Palentone color and ink palette to track down that orange fabric found in the crime scene? There is such a resource and it's called Pantone. Watch how Pantone works, here.

(And while I love Bones, I personally agree, she's no Dana Scully.)

You know that long car ride discussion we have sometimes, about winning the lottery (that we don't play) and how we would use the money? Ever wonder just how much a billion dollars is? Read this and find out. What do you think about this article? Does it raise any moral or ethical questions for you regarding wealth distribution? Does it make sense to you that so few should have control over so much? Do you think billions are being used well? Would you do anything differently if you had a billion(s) dollars?

I think you know, but Planned Parenthood is an organization that provides information, health care and screening, birth control and abortions, std (sexually transmitted disease) protection and prevention, counseling, and many other services to anyone seeking help, and often to people without socio-economic privilege (meaning they have under or unemployment, low wages, no health care benefits, and often minimal education-but not always-as well as other negative societal impacts, such as gender barriers, childcare, transportation, disabilities, etc). Today, the Republican controlled House voted to cut all funding for Planned Parenthood. Without federal funding, services provided to those who are the least economically and socially privileged will be hindered or eliminated completely. What are your thoughts about this? Do you think Planned Parenthood is a necessary institution? Do you think religious or political convictions have a place in deciding who has access to health care? How does this issue compare to the previous paragraph regarding wealth distribution? Let's discuss this further, as I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Cold Enough For Ya?

As you know, or must know if you live where we do (Maine), that it has been, well, in the Maine vernacular, a bit nippy, deah! And looking ahead to next week's forecast, we are settling in for a nice, cold stretch, too. With that in mind, it looks like Monday might be a great day to make frozen bubbles.

Thinking of cold and snow, it's interesting to note that a 19 year old homeschooler from Vermont took the first, amazing photographs of snow crystals--in 1885! Check the collection out! Here's more about the physics of snowflakes.

For Olivia: in honor of you beginning guitar lessons, meet Andres Segovia. Here he is playing Bach. You can learn more about classical music here.



For Adam: in honor of you beginning drum lessons, meet Lionel Hampton. Watch him play, here. Loads more drumming inspiration here.

Reflecting on certain beloved tv shows and movies, I wonder how many pass the Bechdel Test?

• Can you name a couple of examples of some that do pass the test? Which ones?


• Do you think it's important for tv and films to pass this test, or do you think it's not important at all?


• What do you think the reasons are that so much tv and film doesn't pass the test?


• What does it mean to you if a tv show or film doesn't pass the Bechdel Test?

One more thing to make your brain bigger: see how something called metamaterials might help make objects invisible, in effect, by fooling light by taking any arrangement of objects and assembling them into some sort of structure. Harry Potter might not be the only one with an Invisibility Cloak someday.

• Can you think of ways in which this technology could be used for greater good?


• Can you think of ways in which this technology could be used for doing harm?


• Do you think the creation and control of this technology could or would have political ramifications?