A Taxing Legacy

The boastful records of a Rameses III are worthy of credence. In a reign of thirty-three years, he had given to the various temples 113,433 slaves, 493,386 head of cattle, 88 barks and galleys, and 2,756 golden images. Further contributions were 331,702 jars of incense, honey, and oil; 228,380 jars of wine and drink; 680,714 … Read more

Survival Tip — Stay Focused

Where the eye is upon superfluities, either of quantity or quality, rather than bare necessities, there self-maintenance passes over toward self-gratification, and vanity-wants and pleasure-wants supersede hunger-wants.  —W. G. Sumner and A. G. Keller (1927)

The Maple Tree’s Role in Abolishing Slavery

After the Revolution, Americans looked at the maple tree in a new light. To the eminent Philadelphia patriot and physician Benjamin Rush, maple sugar seemed perfectly tailored to the new republic. Here was a commodity that could compete in a global market, bolstering the independence of yeoman farmers, and demonstrating the superiority of free labor. … Read more

On the Best Way to Study

Testing yourself repeatedly before an exam teaches the brain to retrieve and apply knowledge from memory. The method is more effective than re-reading a textbook, says Jeffrey Karpicke, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University. If you are facing a test on the digestive system, he says, practice explaining how it works from … Read more

Ownership in the Age of Isms

You Have Two Cows   Capitalism CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull -and build a herd of cows. AMERICAN-STYLE ANARCHO-CAPITALISM: You don’t have any cows. The bank will not lend you money to buy cows, because you don’t have any cows to put up as collateral. The price of … Read more

Four Eyes on One Fascinating Guest

In 185 A.D., Chinese astronomers witnessed what they called a mysterious “guest star” that appeared in the sky and lingered for about eight months. It wasn’t until the 1960s that scientists determined that this cosmic object was the first documented observation of a supernova that signaled the violent death of a distant star. Four space … Read more

Facts About Insulation and Mold

Understanding the Causes of Fungi Growth in Building Structures Mold – What is it? Where is it found? Why the Concern? Molds are microscopic fungi that live on organic matter. Most molds produce spores, which can be air-borne, water-borne, or insect-borne and are highly adapted to grow and rapidly reproduce under the right conditions. Mold … Read more