Sleep and the power of positive thought
A recent study on the placebo effect of sleep-tracking devices — often called "orthodontia "— has shown that sleep trackers can influence people's perception of sleep quality, even when the data…
The sign of a coward
The Pentagon—under the orders of the Secretary of Defense—removed references to the military careers of Jackie Robinson, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Navajo Code Talkers, Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipient Maj.…
Stupid dress codes
My friend's golf club, which I may want to join one day, has a stupid rule: You must wear a belt and tuck in your shirt while playing golf. Can…
Kindergarten dumbness
In exchanging emails recently with my former kindergarten teacher, she wrote: "I taught for 35 years, and towards the end, they made us do away with centers, and I was…
First dates gone awry
Sometimes, data can show you how your life and the lives of most people differ in ways you did not expect. Case in point: A new YouGov study found: 89…
Owl and Pussycat
The #1 song on the Billboard charts on the day I was born was a good one: "One Bad Apple" by the Osmonds. Fitting, it would seem, at least at…
How we spend our time
Frightening numbers: 6 months spent at stoplights over an average lifetime 8 months spent opening junk mail 1.5 years spent looking for lost items 5 years spent standing in various…
Ted was right and wrong
I took a short Uber ride from the airport in Boise, Idaho, to my hotel in downtown Boise. The driver, a man named Ted, and I started chatting. When I…
Delay made good
My connecting flight from Chicago to Boise is delayed by about 25 minutes. The plane arrived late, so the cleaning and safety crew needed time to prepare it. I sit…
Smart twin mom
I am teaching the better half of four sets of twins in my class this year. "The better half" because I always like my students best. As a teacher who…
