Articles by Knight Pierce Hirst on ArticleSnatch.com

Who's Energetic About Saving Energy?

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:15:16 -0500

In 2009 the average, American household spent $2,200 annually on energy; and approximately half of that money was for heating and cooling. However, washing clothes in cold water saves money because up to 90% of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating water. Changing the thermostat by a degree for 8 hours a day - while homeowners are at work or asleep - saves 2% on heating or cooling. Sealing electric outlets in exterior walls with inexpensive foam gaskets keeps heated or cooled air from leaking out. It seems being energetic saves energy. California will be the first state to save energy by imposing energy efficiency standards for televisions. As televisions increased in size, residential energy use attributed to televisions increased from 3%-4% in the 1990's to 8%-10% in 2008. If nothing was done, the percentage was expected to reach 18% by 2023. As of January 2011, however, televisions 58 inches and smaller must consume 33% less electricity. By 2013 they must consume 49% less. Considering these new energy standards are expected to save California consumers $1 billion annually, the California Energy Commission's unanimous vote put vision into television. **End Summary** Topics: energy]]> shale]]> gas]]> televisions]]> biofuel]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Can Animals Be More Interesting Than People?

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:55:25 -0500

According to a study published in the journal "BMC Evolutionary Biology", some spiders cooperate more with relatives. German researchers divided Stegodyphus tentoriicola spiders into 2 groups - siblings and non-siblings - while studying their food collecting behavior. Siblings worked better together when looking for food and were more likely to share digestive enzymes for quicker eating of prey. Even in large groups, where fracturing interferes with productivity, sibling spiders avoided destructive patterns and were more productive. It seems cooperation among relatives is common in the animal kingdom. For humans with the ability to reason, this should be reasonable. According to researchers at The Australian National University, male fiddler crabs defend neighboring females from invaders in return for sex. Both males and females are territorial and live in burrows; but males have a large, defensive claw and females have 2 small, feeding claws. When out-of-the-area fiddler crabs were brought in, males fought off male invaders on neighboring females' territory 95% of the time. However, when the invaders were female, the males fought them off only 15% of the time. Sex for protection is a "defense coalition" - something wives should remember when invaded by things like leaking faucets and peeling paint. **End Summary** Topics: animals]]> spiders]]> crabs]]> pelicans]]> petrels]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Who's Watching Out For Us?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:54:21 -0500

In 2008 there were approximately 37,000 U.S. highway deaths - the fewest since 1961. One reason for this is the safety testing done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. IIHS spends about $1.5 million a year testing new vehicles that are equipped with sensored crash dummies, usually crashing 2 per week. In 1995 half the vehicles that were tested rated "Poor". In 2009 virtually all were rated "Good". Nevertheless, the IIHS list of vehicles for its top safety picks is shorter than in 2008. A new IIHS test for rollover endurance might have made some vehicle manufacturers "testy". The 2009 list of the most stressful jobs compiled by the Web site CareerCast had surgeon at the top, followed by commercial airline pilot, photojournalist, advertising account executive, real estate agent, general practice physician, newspaper reporter and physician's assistant. In compiling this list 21 stress factors were considered, including deadlines, physical demands and life/death situations. Taking the same factors into consideration, the list of the least stressful jobs had actuary at the top, followed by dietitian, computer systems analyst, statistician, astronomer, mathematician, historian and software engineer. **End Summary** Topics: vehicles]]> jobs]]> scientists]]> clothes]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Do Others' Mistakes Make Us Feel Good?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:37:26 -0500

Every night since March 1929 a red beacon on top of the historic Grant Building in Pittsburgh has flashed the city's name in international Morse code. However, while waiting to see 2009's July 4th fireworks, Tom Stapleton, a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute, noticed the beacon was flashing "Pitetsbkrrh". According to Stapleton, the electrical contacts that create the beacon's flash could have tarnished or moved out of place. When Stapleton returned 4 days later, the beacon was flashing "Tpebtsaurgh". Although the device was sent for repair, the beacon had been successfully flashing "mistake". Another unusual mistake occurred in 1955 when Mary, a 400-pound tortoise, arrived at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. During a routine exam almost 55 years later, zookeepers discovered Mary was actually Terry. It seems it's difficult to establish the sex of a giant Aldabra tortoise because the reproductive organs usually aren't visible. Mary's maleness, however, was suddenly obvious. The-now-Terry had been thought to be female because of having a flatter shell, a shorter tail and an overall smaller size than most male tortoises. Terry, who's estimated to be between 75 and 100 years old, is obviously in touch with his feminine side. **End Summary** Topics: mistakes]]> visa debit processing]]> pittsburgh beacon]]> lying]]> cleveland tortoise]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Who Has Environmentally Green Thumbs?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:58:16 -0500

The Arctic isn't getting greener. A joint report by the UK-based Catlin Arctic Survey and the World Wildlife Fund said Arctic summer ice cover will be gone within 20 years. The thickness of a 450-kilometer stretch of ice floes averaged 1.8 meters - too thin to survive next summer's melt. The ice was primarily first-year ice - not the traditionally much older, thicker ice. Scientists expect this change in ice cover to increase global warming and face polar bears with extinction. They refer to Arctic ice as the planet's roof - which makes lawmakers who are indecisive about climate change "fiddlers on the roof". San Francisco, however, is greener. As of October 21, 2009 it's against the law to put food scraps in the garbage. In the first, U.S. program of its kind, residents are required to put food waste into sealed compost bins. Garbage trucks pick up the food waste and take it to the Organic Annex, where it's turned into compost and sold to area farms and vineyards. Presently San Francisco keeps 72% of its trash out of the landfill by recycling cans, bottles, construction material and cooking oil. **End Summary** Topics: Environment]]> Arctic]]> Composting]]> Sustainability]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is The World Getting Odder?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:18:15 -0500

Oddity #1: As of 2009 there are more new fragrances released yearly than there were in the 1970's and 1980's combined - at least 500 a year. In 2008 celebrity scents made up 10% of fragrance sales - more than 3 million bottles. It seems perfume is the best way to sell celebrity. The perfume houses don't pay for what's in the bottles. Fragrance manufacturers develop scents for free and share the profits with the perfume houses. Also, having celebrities' names on the bottles saves millions of advertising dollars. Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, 50 Cent - celebrities are profitably "scentimental". Oddity #2: In 2009 the ball was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. The curator explained that the Ball had just gotten in because the Toy Hall of Fame didn't come into existence until 1998 and because only 2 or 3 toys are inducted a year. Both the Atari 2600 Game System and the Nintendo Game Boy were already in. So were the Cardboard Box and the Stick. Obviously, those who decide which toys are inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame hadn't been keeping their eyes on the ball. **End Summary** Topics: Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is Technology Going Too Far?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:42:15 -0500

Cablevision in New York is using interactive technology. Starting in October 2009 approximately 3 million digital subscribers will be offered "Optimum Select". When Optimum Select commercials are shown, viewers can use the select button on their remote controls to request more information, coupons or a free sample of the product in the ad. Benjamin Moore paint is one of the national brands that will air interactive ads. When the technology is more developed, viewers will be able to buy products with their remotes. This is an "ad-vancement" in technology for "ad-dicted" shoppers. Due to a partnership between Phillips Electronics and a Dutch bank, there is now technology to help individual investors buy stocks. The "'Rationalizer" is basically a mood bracelet that warns home traders when they're feeling overly emotional. In addition to the science-fiction-looking "EmoBracelet", there's a light emitting "EmoBowl" that is placed near the trader's computer. As the trader's feelings intensify, the bowl's glow changes from yellow to orange to red due to galvanic skin response sensors that measure sweat. Because males are supposedly more emotional as investors than females, this product would be helpful to male investors who want to take stock of themselves. **End Summary** Topics: Technology]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

What Can Make Living More Livable?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:35:14 -0500

According to a variety of research, a little stress can be healthy. All stress produces destructive free radicals and hormones like cortisol, but the body starts healing as soon as it senses damage. If the stress is short-term, the body heals quickly and has energy left over to repair everyday wear and tear. Good stress can be mental (crossword puzzle), physical (treadmill workout) or psychological (public speaking); but the stress has to ease quickly so the body has time to both heal and repair. This means inviting the boss to dinner could make a person healthier. The 2009 American Psychological Association's stress survey found women are much likelier than men to say they lack willpower to make lifestyle changes to improve health and reduce stress. When researchers investigated this, they discovered four reasons many women think they lack willpower. One, they're too tired to make changes. Two, they're depressed. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Three, their unrealistic goals cause them to give up. Four, they feel selfish taking care of themselves when children, aging parents and co-workers depend on them. Maybe women need "won'tpower". Nicotine requires "won'tpower". **End Summary** Topics: Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Are All Winners Created Equal?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:40:23 -0500

Bjorn Halvard Knappskog, a 19-year-old student from Norway, won the 2009 Monopoly World Championship. Players from 41 countries participated in the 2-day tournament. The games were played in English, with interpreters to help with Monopoly negotiations in different languages. Based on the streets of Atlantic City, more than 275 million copies of the ever-popular real estate game have been sold in 106 countries since being introduced in 1935. Knappskog won $20,580 - the amount in the bank of standard Monopoly games. No American, however, has won since 1974. That could be due to Americans worrying about foreclosures on real estate. Joe Cada, a 21-year-old professional poker player from Shelby Township, Michigan won the 2009 World Series of Poker. With winnings of $8.55 million, he became the youngest winner in the tournament's 40-year history. What does Cada want to do next? He wants to win the tournament again in 2010. Considering his mother is a dealer in a Detroit casino and considering Cada chose cards over college and considering he regularly plays about a dozen poker tournaments at a time online or plays 3 tournaments at a time in heads-up cash games, back-to-back wins might be in the cards. **End Summary** Topics: Winners]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

How Much Care Goes Into Health Care?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:44:15 -0500

Every July since 1999 the fairgrounds in Wise, Virginia have been turned into a field hospital by the "Remote Area Medical Expedition". Free care is provided to those in need. Sanitized horse stalls become examining rooms. A poultry barn is fitted with optometry equipment. An open-air pavilion is filled with dental chairs and lamps. A converted 18-wheeler is an x-ray facility. During the 3-day event 2,700 people from 16 states were treated. Over 50% had no health insurance and 47% were underinsured. In 2009 expeditions are scheduled from Virginia to California - filing in gaps in the health care system. The first retail clinics opened in 2000, providing more convenient and less expensive health care. A 2009 study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" compared the treatment of 3 routine illnesses - ear infection, sore throat and urinary track infection - at retail clinics, doctors' offices, urgent care centers and hospital emergency rooms and found no significant difference in patient outcome. In 2009 there are 1200 retail clinics. Unfortunately, more than half are in Florida, California, Texas, Minnesota and Illinois, with 18 states having none. The biggest concern about retail clinics is there aren't enough of them. **End Summary** Topics: Health Care]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

How Much Care Goes Into Health Care?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:38:30 -0500

Did You Ever Wonder About This?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:09:22 -0500

Between 2005 and 2006 the Transportation Security Administration confiscated 13 million items from passengers' carry-on bags. Liquids in access of 3 ounces are immediately disposed of. Guns and firearms are turned over to local law enforcement. Items of value - electric saws, meat cleavers, 10-pound exercise weights, even a kitchen sink - are donated to state surplus agencies and sold - the states keeping the profits. Bats, clubs, knives and blades are confiscated the most; but instead of legally putting these items in checked luggage or mailing them, 90% of passengers relinquish them - realizing their protests won't fly. Crickets don't fly, but different species have different calls. It's the males that make the calls and they do it by rubbing their wings together. However, what sounds like a continuous chirp to humans is actually a series of pulses - or rhythm. For example, the snowy cricket's chirp is made up of 8 pulses, which are arranged in a rhythm of 2 beats, 3 beats, 3 beats. The Riley's tree cricket divides its chirp into 11 beats. The different calls enable female crickets to know which calls are from their species. Basically, female crickets are "on call". **End Summary** Topics: Culture and Society]]> Current Affairs]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Am I The Only Parent Who Didn't Know?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:51:22 -0500

Researchers at Quebec's Laval Hospital believe that it's not just genes that promote obesity. There seems to be something in obese women's wombs that programs fetuses to become fat children and adults. The study found that children born to severely obese mothers were very likely to become severely obese. However, children born to the same mothers after the mothers had bypass surgery were not very likely to become severely obese. Those children also had lower levels of blood fats and other indicators of future diabetes. Because of studies like this, many U.S. medical centers are "weighing in" on a biological explanation. The womb, according to a study published in the journal "Current Biology", is also where babies start to learn language. The study included over 1,000 recorded cries of 30 French and 30 German newborns and found differences in the melody patterns of their cries. French has a pitch rise at the end of words or phrases and French babies' cries have a rising melody. German has a falling pattern and German babies' cries have a falling melody. It seems newborns tend to imitate the language patterns heard in the womb. **End Summary** Topics: Parenting]]> Child Development]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Are We Really What We Eat?

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:49:18 -0400

According to a 2001-2006 government health survey of approximately 3,000 children who'd been given blood tests, at least 20% of children aged 1 to 11 don't get enough vitamin D. That puts them at risk for weak bones, infections, diabetes and some cancers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children have 400 units of vitamin D daily. Because many children don't drink 4 cups of fortified milk a day or eat lots of fish or spend enough time outside to get vitamin d from the sun, vitamin D supplementation is recommended. It's the D parents will want their children to get. According to both nutritionists and scientists, Americans have a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids. They are called essential fatty acids because they have to come from our diet - our bodies don't make them. Omega-3 is necessary for the development of a healthy brain. It also lowers the risk of heart disease, arthritis and cancer. It even fights wrinkles. Fish like salmon, tuna and halibut are rich in omega-3 fatty acids because they eat microscopic, ocean plants and seaweed. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in the green leaves of plants. **End Summary** Topics: Health]]> Nutrition]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

What Else Is Changing In The 21st Century?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:16:50 -0400

Police talk changed to code in the 1920's because of the scarcity of radio channels. Police had to get on and off the air quickly. It was also thought codes would provide privacy. Not anymore. In fact, the differences in local codes cause confusion. For example, an Independence, Missouri police dispatcher used plain English - instead of 10/33 - when radioing the Highway Patrol that one of their officers was down. To the highway Patrol 10/33 meant traffic backup. In 2006 the Department of Homeland Security asked law enforcement agencies to voluntarily talk in plain English, but some still use "double talk". In plain English, a study done by 2 researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that women have become less happy than men. In spite of the progress brought by the feminist movement 35 years ago, women's happiness has been declining over the past 3 decades, while men's happiness has remained stable or slightly increased. The study took into consideration women's age, marital status, labor force participation and whether they had children. Although the study found that the unhappiness gap covered all demographics, further research is necessary to find out why. And why aren't men less happy? **End Summary** Topics: Change]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is Every Study Worth Studying?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:27:21 -0400

According to a study published in the "British Journal of Psychiatry", children who eat too much candy become violent as adults. More than 17,000 children born in 1970 were studied for almost 40 years. Of the children who ate candy daily at age 10, 69% were arrested for a violent offense by age 34. It wasn't the candy that caused the violence. Supposedly parents who use candy to bribe children to be good are teaching them to want immediate gratification, which supposedly leads to impulsive behavior and violence. Nevertheless, parents are free to consider this study to be sweet nothings. According to a study published in the online journal "PLoS One", people become more alert to potential threat when breathing stress sweat. Stress sweat was taken from 144 people who tandem skydived for the first time. Twice samples of stress sweat and sweat from treadmill runners were given to 8 men and 8 women whose brains were being scanned. Although participants couldn't distinguish the sweats by smell, the stress sweat caused more activity in a brain area associated with emotion. In fact, discriminating between pictures of neutral and angry faces when breathing stress sweat was - no sweat. **End Summary** Topics: Studies]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Am I The Only One Surprised By This?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:32:28 -0400

In 2005 a manure fire started in a Nebraska feed lot, spread and burned for months. Manure stored in bags on a truck in Texas started a deadly fire. It seems that as manure breaks down, it produces both methane and hydrogen sulfide gases. If this happens in extremely hot weather, spontaneous combustion can occur. The manure can explode and catch fire. Exploding manure isn't uncommon on farms and isn't an uncommon cause of wildfires. Now knowing the danger of combining manure with hot air, it's surprising that Washington, D.C. isn't always exploding into flames. In 2007 the painting "Profile of the Bella Principessa" was bought on behalf of a Swiss collector for $19.000. That was approximately the amount paid for the painting at auction by the gallery owner 11 years before. However, what was thought to be a 19th century, German painting is actually a painting by Leonardo da Vinci worth more than $150 million. Authenticity was proven by a digital scanner, which found the print of an index or middle finger on the painting. That fingerprint matched Leonardo's fingerprint on his painting "St Jerome" in the Vatican. Who knew Leonardo da Vinci finger painted? **End Summary** Topics: Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is Change Another Word For Progress?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:10:23 -0400

As times change, so do companies. In 1806 William Colgate founded a company to make soap, candles and starch. Colgate toothpaste wasn't made until 1873. In 1837 John Deere was a frustrated blacksmith in Grand Detour, Illinois trying to make plows that cut through the area's clay. When he started to make his plows with cast steel, he started the John Deere Equipment Company. In 1866 David McConnell sold books door-to-door. To appeal to women customers he offered free perfume. When the perfume became more popular than the books, McConnell founded the California Perfume Company - which became Avon. Change changes us. By the end of 2011 the Coca-Cola Company plans a change - to put nutrition facts - what Coca-Cola calls "energy information" - on the front of almost all its packaging worldwide. This change is in response to the public wanting this information easily visible and to the American Heart Association adding sugar to its list of heart hazards. The AHA recommends women have no more than 100 calories from added sugar a day and that men limit those calories to 150. A 12-ounce can of Classic Coca-Cola contains 140 calories. **End Summary** Topics: Change]]> Progress]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is There An Upside To A Down Economy?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:57:15 -0400

For those confused by the stock market, there are simpler indicators of an improved economy. According to a restaurant advisory consultant, large piles of garbage behind restaurants mean people are eating out again. According to a chief economist, people wear bright colors when they're confident. Because men's ties are an inexpensive way to change a wardrobe, men wear pink or fuchsia ties. According to a market research analyst, because jeans are relatively inexpensive, they're one of the first things customers buy. Obviously, men in restaurants wearing pink or fuchsia ties with jeans would indicate a strong economy. Economically challenged U.S. cities are using parking fines to help balance budgets. New York City made approximately $600 million in parking ticket revenue in 2008 - about 50% more than in 2002 - requiring the hiring of 200 new citation officers. Atlanta outsourced its parking enforcement to a private company. Instead of Atlanta's usual $2 million in fines, the company promised the city $5.5 million. Washington, D.C. has put cameras on street sweepers to take pictures of cars parked in their path, hoping to earn an extra $2 million annually. It seems ticketing has become a "fine art". **End Summary** Topics: Economy]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Are We "Peticular" About Pets?

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:44:38 -0400

Veterinarians are reporting dogs and cats are living longer - some for more than 15 years. Dogs' longevity is directly related to breed size. Toy breeds live longest (12-14 years). Giant breeds live the shortest time (6-8 years). However, mixed breeds tend to live longer than pure breeds. In estimating a dog's age 1 dog year equals 12 people years, 2 dog years equal 24 people years and every dog year after that equals 4 people years. Thus a 12-year-old dog would be 64 people years. As for cats, any well-cared-for, indoor cat is likely to reach the late teens or early twenties - counting all 9 lives. Unfortunately, veterinarians are also reporting they are treating an increasing number of dogs that have eaten xylitol. Xylitol is in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables - including various berries, corn husks, mushrooms and oats. It's a natural sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute, especially in gum. Supposedly it's good for teeth, diabetes, osteoporosis and infection - but it's not good for pets. For pets it has a life-threatening toxicity that can cause liver failure. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting and a weak, wobbly appearance, requiring immediate treatment. **End Summary** Topics: Pets]]> Animals]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Marching To A Different Drummer?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:02:29 -0400

Edna St. Vincent Millay, the poet, and Margaret Mead, the anthropologist, both were previous owners of the house at 75 1/2 Bedford Street in Greenwich Village, New York. The 3-story, red brick building was built in 1873 and supposedly has plenty of light supplied by large windows in front and back, as well as a skylight. The current owner bought the house in 2000 for $1.6 million. In 2009 it was for sale for $2.7 million. Because the house is only 9.5 feet wide and 42 feet long, like its previous owners, you can't be small-minded if you live there. Joey Chestnut was the winner of 2009's Fried Dumpling Eating Contest, part of the annual Japanese Festival in Los Angeles. The object of the contest is to eat as many dumplings as possible in 10 minutes. Chestnut ate 181. This was his third, consecutive win at this event, beating his 2008 score by 41 dumplings. Chestnut is a professional competitive eater. He's rated #1 by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Chestnut also won Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2009. Joey "Jaws" Chestnut doesn't bite off more than he can chew. **End Summary** Topics: Interesting People]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Does Technology Have To Be Technical?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:53:13 -0400

Nike and several other shoe companies are making shoes that look like gloves for feet with a pocket for each toe. This new trend in running shoes is designed for wannabe barefoot runners, runners who are "efficient and biomechanically gifted runners" that want to protect the soles of their feet. Those are runners who don't need features for stability and motion control that are built into more traditional running shoes. Running shoes were invented in the 70's by then Oregon University track coach Bill Bowerman, who poured rubber compounds into his wife's waffle iron. Bowerman later became co-founder of Nike and a "shoeper" success. Scientists at Missouri University have developed a blast-resistant glass that's both thinner and lighter and can withstand hand-grenade-strength explosions. Because it is less than 1/2 inch thick, it's less expensive to manufacture. Because there is a composite of glass fibers embedded in plastic between two sheets of laminated glass - instead of a strong layer of plastic - the composite layer doesn't puncture even if the glass cracks. This new glass could be used to protect federal buildings from terrorist attacks, as well as protect homes from hurricanes and earthquakes. **End Summary** Topics: Technology]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Where Do You Find Heroes?

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:41:47 -0400

Carol Buckley trained her own elephant and traveled with circuses until realizing captivity is cruel to elephants. In 1995 she co-founded the Elephant Sanctuary - 112 acres in rural Tennessee. Operating on private donations and corporate sponsorships, it's now 2,700 acres - the largest natural refuge of its kind in the U.S. It's home to Tara, who lived in the back of a truck at a tire store; Shirley, who performed in a circus until a broken leg put her in the freak show; and 13 other rescue elephants. The Elephant Sanctuary doesn't allow visitors - hoping these elephants can forget. Jose Hernandez, 47, worked with his family every summer in the California fields. In the 1960's and 1970's he picked beets, cucumbers and tomatoes 7 days a week. At the end of the day his father would tell him to remember how he felt because if he didn't do well in school, that was his future. Although Hernandez didn't learn English until age 12, he went on to get a master's degree in electrical engineering. **End Summary** Topics: Heroes]]> Inspiration]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is Health Wasted On The Young?

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:40:46 -0400

According to 2 studies published in the journal "Pediatrics", Americans don't get enough vitamin D; and that deficiency could cause cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers. One study looked at federal health statistics for children 1 to 21 and found nearly 8 million children deficient and 50.8 million insufficient in vitamin D, increasing their risk of osteoporosis. The second study found teenagers with the lowest levels of vitamin D had 2 times the risk of high blood pressure and hypoglycemia and 4 times the risk of cardiovascular disease. Doctors recommend children eat vitamin-D-fortified cereals, milk and orange juice because there's and even higher risk they won't eat vitamin-D-rich sardines. According to dentists, however, we shouldn't drink citric fruit juices - including orange juice - or sports drinks, carbonated beverages and teas because they erode teeth. The acid in these drinks strips teeth of enamel, causing hypersensitivity, discoloration and cracks. Sports drinks are the worst, especially if citric acid has been added. Soft drinks are second worst because of carbonation and fruit juices are third. Teas cause the least erosion. Teeth soaked in black tea didn't completely erode for 16 weeks. **End Summary** Topics: Health]]> Health Studies]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Is Technology The Only Answer?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:37:31 -0400

A "Bikestation" for 130 bikes, lockers and a small repair shop opened outside Washington, D.C. in October 2009. It is conveniently located next to the Metro subway exit at Union Station for use by commuters who want to cycle in the city. For an annual membership or a daily usage fee, the system provides secure storage for bicycles, reduces traffic and encourages exercise. An annual survey of Bikestation users in California showed that 30% previously commuted by car. Comparable facilities in Germany and Japan handle 3,000-4,000 bicycles. Obviously, the idea of Bikestations has been "peddled" better outside the U.S. Not every good idea, however, involves new technology. California winemakers have tried a variety of ways to scare off grape-loving starlings at harvest time. Because shotguns and propane cannons scared the birds away only temporarily and netting rows of grapes is expensive, winemakers are turning to falconry. Falcons can spot starlings half a mile away and can fly 150 mph in pursuit of their prey. Many prominent vineyards - including E&J Gallo - have hired falconers. Releasing 1 falcon twice a day keeps the starlings away from the grapes. Solving this problem just needed a bird's-eye view. **End Summary** Topics: Good Ideas]]> Current Affairs]]> Culture and Society]]> Women]]> Men]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com