-
The Dangers of Talking to Your Car
Inc.: Just because you can talk to your car doesn't mean you should. Two new studies have found that voice-activated smartphones and dashboard infotainment systems may be making the distracted-driving problem worse instead of better. The systems let drivers do things like tune the radio, send a text message, or make a phone call while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, but many of these systems are so error-prone or complex that they require more concentration from drivers rather than less, according to studies released Tuesday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah.
-
The Introverted Face
The Atlantic: People whose faces are perceived to look more "competent" are more likely to be CEOs of large, successful companies. Having a face that people deem "dominant" is a predictor of rank advancement in the military. People are more likely to invest money with people who look "trustworthy." These sorts of findings go on and on in recent studies that claim people can accurately guess a variety of personality traits and behavioral tendencies from portraits alone. The findings seem to elucidate either canny human intuition or absurd, misguided bias.
-
Kids Get Better Grades When They Share Similarities With Teachers
The Atlantic: The teacher-student relationship impacts every aspect of the educational experience. When students don’t feel safe, respected, or truly known by their teacher, they are less likely to invest and engage in their education. Conversely, when teachers feel distanced from or distrusted by their students, it’s nearly impossible to muster the enthusiasm to walk into the classroom each day, let alone instill motivation or investment in our students. During my own teaching career I’ve been fortunate enough to have the time and opportunity to get to know my students and their educational needs well.
-
How attractive is Barack Obama? That depends on your party affiliation.
The Washington Post: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder -- particularly when that beholder is into politics. Partisanship can be so powerful that it influences how attractive people find politicians, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal the Leadership Quarterly. Take a look above, for example. Are you a Democrat? Then you're likely to view President Obama as better looking than a Republican does. Or are you a Republican? Then former Alaska governor Sarah Palin is more physically appealing to you than she is to a Democrat. That's what happened when researchers showed Wisconsin legislative aides and Midwest voters photos of the two politicians in 2010.
-
Getting Some ‘Me’ Time: Why Millennials Are So Individualistic
NPR: They are a class of self-centered, self-absorbed, selfie-snapping 20-somethings. This is how many critics have come to define the millennial generation. But hold on, isn't this what was said about every generation when it was young? Minus the selfies of course. Some scholars argue that millennials aren't entitled — they just have more time to be themselves. Read the whole story: NPR
-
How to Gladden a Wealthy Mind
The New York Times: Striking it rich is the American dream, a magnetic myth that has drawn millions to this nation. And yet, a countervailing message has always percolated through the culture: Money can’t buy happiness. From Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane to Tony Soprano and Walter White, the woefully wealthy are among the seminal figures of literature, film and television. A thriving industry of gossipy, star-studded magazines and websites combines these two ideas, extolling the lifestyles of the rich and famous while exposing the sadness of celebrity. All of which raises the question: Is the golden road paved with misery?
