The New Yorker ran an excellent piece on the rise of super bacteria and their resistance to antibiotics.  Jerome Groopman argues that hospitals are breeding grounds for “super bugs” and that Doctors have been too quick to prescribe antibiotics (which only help bacteria assimilate and fight off treatments).  Here’s a brilliant description of how a particular bacteria adapts to antibiotics: In April, […]

I’ve been reading David Brooks since the publication of “Bobos in the Paradise” and I’ve been thoroughly impressed with how he describes American society and our “unique” way of living. Brooks appears on PBS’ Newshour and is also a NY Times Op Ed Columnist.  His latest column is entitled, “Lord of the Memes” and is a must read; here’s an excerpt: But on […]

….tune in next week!

If you happen to have a Whole Foods supermarket in your area then you’ve probably noticed how popular the chain has become over the last 3-4 years.  After all, where else can you get a few stalks of organic Swiss Chard for $6.99 or imported whole been coffee for $17.99 a pound?  Heck, I was so enamored with the supermarket […]

Given a recent conversation on “where would you live in the world” I dug up some info on 1., standard of living and 2., human development index.  Here are some fun facts to consider next time someone asks the “where should you live” question:   The United States ranks 4th in GDP (or gross domestic product), but 92nd in terms of distribution of […]

Nothing gets me more excited then roasting a chicken (a detailed recipe on roasting chicken will be coming in the fall), but who wants to turn on the oven when it’s 90+ degrees out?  So, when a whole chicken is not an option turn to chicken thighs to satisfy your bird cravings. Thighs, in my opinion, are the most flavorful […]

The Best, and Most Affordable, Wine You’ve Never Heard Of: Aglianico

If I were a high school guidance counselor I’d tell each one of my students (well at least the ones who displayed some intellectual curiosity) to go and pursue studies in any one of the cognitive sciences: neuroscience, cognitive psychology, neurobiology, etc.    Our knowledge about how the brain works is just starting to develop and I predict a sort […]

The American Scholar recently ran an article on why a Harvard or Yale education may not be the best decision for most high school or post graduate students.  The article is very compelling and argues that the Ivies are creating careers and not minds – an important distinction in higher education.