We’ve all heard of appetite suppressants, or drugs that reduce desire. But what if the “gotta have it” process is a two-part thing? One chemical process produces desire. But it’s a separate deal that makes us feel rotten when the desire isn’t satisfied. After all, you don’t feel rotten as soon as you desire, right? Read More …
Here’s a weird idea. (Yes, I’m back, at least for now, after spending a bunch of months journaling and trying to straighten out my head. More on that later. Perhaps.) Too many of us just sit at work, exercising nothing but our eyes and fingers typing at computers. Earlier, I had the idea for a giant keyboard Read More …
“Saw” this idea while walking in Philadelphia. Man was using a cane. But for some reason I got this image of a combo cane and baseball bat. Probably because a hint of spring was in the air, and I was thinking, wouldn’t it be nice to play a little baseball? Then, I thought, could also Read More …
It’s happened to me, it’s happened to my wife, maybe it’s happened to a lot of people. You take the pot off the stove and forget to turn the burner off. Generally, it’s no big deal … there’s nothing to catch fire. But wouldn’t it be safer to have burners that sense, “Hey, yo, there’s Read More …
Car horns bleat, the blare, they say, “Yo, brasspipe, wake up, wise up, get the pell-mell out of my way!” But sometimes you just want to nudge somebody politely, genteelly, slightly: “Uh, excuse me, but that light’s been green for several minutes.” “Sorry, but could you roll down your window, so I could ask you Read More …
I once thought about doing a comic strip, Signs of the Times. It would have been all sorts of jokes based on signs … ideographic signs (I have some old cartoons I’ll post, some I already have) … signs enterprising panhandlers might display … labels on bottles … bumper stickers … advertising signs … any printed messages. Read More …
Or maybe it’s Big Brother: The Detox Edition. You corral a bunch of strung-out celebrities and resurrect their fading fame by helping them break their worst addictions. Or maybe it’s called Cold Turkey With the Stars. Could even serve as reminder to our youth: In America, you always get a second chance … as long as Read More …
Nah, just kidding about the ice. But I could arenas shows packin’ ’em in, with police and fire re-enactments and other stunts. Hose fights! Cops & robbers re-enactments. Gun-safety tips. Good behavior messages. Then lots of life-saving, heart-pounding mayhem. Real fires? Real rescues? Famous arrests. Most Wanted rundown. Where do I get tickets?! If not real active cops and firemen, then Read More …
Given the childhood obesity problem, perhaps schools should also have a social mandate to promote activity and healthful eating, and schools with lousy food and no phys ed would lose federal aid. Let every child stand in class, if they like, I say! Burn more calories that way. And it’s probably better for posture, and Read More …
Why did the Atkins Diet not raise cholesterol levels in many who tried it? Because it’s actually a low-fat diet. Think about it. What are the greasiest fatty foods in the American diet? Fries. Fried chicken. Fried fish. Cookies. Crackers. Candy. Grilled cheese. Pizza with extra cheese. Now say “no carbs” and what happens? You can’t Read More …
At the risk (no, certainly) of possibly being tasteless, the Minneapolis bridge collapse made me think: Could cars be designed to be bridge-collapse-resistant? It was amazing how many motorists survived. Does that mean cars, unintentionally, are made to withstand falls? If so, what could enhancements do? Have bigger tires, better shocks, ceiling airbags, sunroofs that Read More …
In the beginning, sadness became depression. Then trouble concentrating (and plain old restlessness) became attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There’s seasonal affective disorder for the winter blues. Shyness became social anxiety disorder. Recently, video game obsession became a candidate for becoming a new disorder. OK, many people do suffer from hampered skills and emotional confusion. But making common difficulties Read More …
Seriously. Today’s study is tomorrow’s refuted study. All too often. But how often? Still imagine these series of headlines: Study: 62.5 pct. of studies are later discredited Study that discredited studies ain’t true either Study that discredited discrediting study also discredited Gosh, just can’t believe anything you read anymore (including this).
Here’s a copy of my second post for inventorspot.com, “Biking for Better Biceps: Brain Rep 2.” Although hill-climbing can be a workout for your arms, most bike-riding does little for your upper bod. I realized this while lugging a watermelon in a bag back from a parking-lot produce market. Really added to the exercise. Could there Read More …
Who needs a bathroom scale? Nobody. Not when somebody makes and markets these handy Scale Shoes. Of course, for some people, who, how shall we say?, have trouble peering over their belts, the digital readout will have to speak. Or, since who wants everyone else to hear?, send a text message or email. Check the Read More …