Thursday, July 17, 2008

Meat eaters are lying to themselves about why they eat meat

Here's a study supporting what I've suspected for awhile and the same study from a different source.

People that eat meat are eating not because it tastes that great, but because they have expectations of higher social status. They think that they're "supposed" to eat meat.

Now, a word of disclaimer: I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years. When I ate beef, I remember that it smelled much better than it actually tasted. In fact, I hated the way it always got stuck in my teeth (that's a big problem for me).

Now, it seems that my taste for beef was more in line with the reality.

The evidence is in: Meat eaters are really the shallow social climbers I always suspected.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Out groups not necessary for in group cohesion.

This study offers some insight into the "out-group homogeneity effect (OGHE)."

The OGHE is a cognitive bias found in all humans. Basically, a person tends to view people that are perceived to be different as more similar to each other.

For instance: If you perceive yourself as a member of a minority, then you are more apt to view those not in your minority as being all alike, e.g. "All white people look alike to me or all straight people are homophobes, etc."

The reality is that most people do not fit neatly into such bigoted boxes.


Sexual orientation highly complex and not just "genetic" or "environmental"

This study points to the highly complex interplay of genes and unique environmental factors that result in a specific sexual orientation.

A good point to take from the study: All sexual orientation, heterosexual and homosexual, is influenced by the same variables.

Important work. Hopefully, it will lead to less bigotry on both sides.

Nothing worse than a homophobe or a heterophobe.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Working without proper pay to the point of death: Karoshi

The Washington Post has a story that should serve as a reminder to U.S. workers, but more specifically, U.S. companies.

The Japanese have a word for working too much, to the point of death:

Karoshi

When you examine the amount of work U.S. workers devote to their employers--many without additional pay--you see the extent of the problem.

Now that employees have Blackberries and other PDAs tethering them to the office, even while on "vacation," our nation is one where employers are getting free labor.

It's time to put the smack down on all the free work employers get.

The intangible threats to career prospects for not being "available" or "willing to show commitment" must stop.

People are working too much for too little and the hamster wheel won't stop unless we agree that people should be paid for all their work, even work that occurs out of the office or while on vacation.