Why do we cry? The cop out answer, according to evolutionary biologists and neuroscientists, is simply because we’re human. But researchers are looking for better, more specific answers. Though they haven’t come up with anything conclusive yet, here are a few interesting nuggets from a recent LA Times article:
“Regardless of age or gender, the students overwhelmingly ranked the pictures showing tears as conveying more sadness than the same faces without tears.”
“I propose that humans evolved the ability to shed tears as a means to alleviate stress, and evolution favors this because it has survival value.”
“Emotional tears are chemically different from tears that simply lubricate the eye… Among other things, they contain more protein.”
“Precisely why women cry more is not known, but researchers do know that male and female tear glands are anatomically different. Female lacrimal glands, which produce tears, have smaller cells.”
As part of a safety campaign, Transport for London ask viewers how perceptive they are. Watch the video and see if you pass the test. The answer might be a surprise.
Eager to spend some quality time with the kids on St. Patrick’s Day or longing to set them up with a babysitter so you can get out of the house on March 17? A family friendly movie might be just the thing to facilitate your holiday aspirations, whatever they may be. Finding a movie that adults and children can enjoy together—and that won’t bore a babysitter to death—isn’t always easy, but our list of St. Paddy’s Day/Irish-themed films can help. Read More
Is your young child excited to be going to their first birthday party? Or maybe you want to throw the perfect party for your son or daughter but don’t know what kind of games you should buy? Birthday parties are usually jam-packed full of activities to keep the kids busy throughout the day. Read More
No doubt you’ve seen ads for the new sitcom Parenthood on commercial breaks during the Olympics. Based on the 1989 film, Parenthood is about, uh, parenting. But is it good? Apparently not. PopMatters didn’t seem too impressed, scoring it a dismal 3/10.
Even though Parenthood‘s parents are all making completely misguided choices, the series doesn’t consider these as a means to education, through which the adults might reach that kind of self-awareness. That lack of consideration is the series’ most unfortunate waste of a promising storyline, one that could have imbued this second version with something refreshing or even revelatory.
Other critics are mixed, but the general feeling is lukewarm (though much better than how people feel about The Marriage Ref). Oh well, guess we’ll just keep DVRing Modern Family then.
What would you do if you were given six months to live? The world lost a great adventurer last month when Maryland native Susie Weadock passed away. Given between six and nine months to live last July, the 79-year-old grandmother decided she’d literally embrace life like there was no tomorrow.
Rather than receiving chemotherapy following diagnosis with a rare intestinal cancer, Weadock set about doing all of the things she’d always longed to do, taking her extended family along for a series of unforgettable adventures. Read More
Oh yes, with the Oscars coming up this Sunday (8:30pm EST), you’re probably planning an awesome party to celebrate this year’s cinematic competition between Avatar and The Hurt Locker. But what do you serve? What will your guests do? Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some great ideas from across the web just for you. Read More
The Pew Research Center put together an online How Millennial Are You? quiz, based on a national telephone survey. (OMG, telephones are sooooo 1990. Txt msg survey, plz.)
It’s a quick fourteen multiple-choice questions — totally worth trying out. My Millennial score was 78. Geez. I better cut back on the texting and facebooking while I watch Gossip Girl on my iPhone. Also be sure to check out Pew’s writeup on their scoring methodology.
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Why do we cry? The cop out answer, according to evolutionary biologists and neuroscientists, is simply because we’re human. But researchers are looking for better, more specific answers. Though they haven’t come up with anything conclusive yet, here are a few interesting nuggets from a recent LA Times article:
What would you do if you were given six months to live? The world lost a great adventurer last month when Maryland native Susie Weadock passed away. Given between six and nine months to live last July, the 79-year-old grandmother decided she’d literally embrace life like there was no tomorrow. 
Oh yes, with the Oscars coming up this Sunday (8:30pm EST), you’re probably planning an awesome party to celebrate this year’s cinematic competition between Avatar and The Hurt Locker. But what do you serve? What will your guests do? Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some great ideas from across the web just for you.
The Pew Research Center put together an online 
