Author Archives: Amanda Nachman

Inside Poop: The Enduring Importance of Toilets

June 5th, 2012

It’s time to take toilets seriously. Some 2.6 billion people around the world don’t have access to toilets and it’s a dangerous problem. In fact, diarrhea, a leading cause of death in children under 5 according to NPR, stems from unsanitary conditions. On the flip side, toilets are said to add 20 years to our lives.

Top 5 Getting-to-Work Innovations

June 5th, 2012

The New York Times released a list of 32 innovations that will change your tomorrow. The list ranges from underwear that collects data on how hard you’re working those glutes to an automatic cat-petter (is that really necessary?). We selected five inventions from the list that will help you on the way to work:

Shower: Automatic 15-minute shampoo regiment that cleans, massages and even blow dries your hair. (Read more on the jump)

Dumbest Post: Going Insane on Bath Salts

June 5th, 2012

Bath salts are quite popular right now among the media. But they should not be confused with the deliciously scented product used in bathtubs. Bath Salts is simply a clever cover-up name for a designer drug that includes methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).

The drug is linked to the recent “Miami Zombie” attack and begs the question: is there a drug out there that will drive you to eat human flesh?

According to Gawker, one user explained his personal experience on bath salts as dark and evil. It did not, however, lure him into cannibalism.

Teaching English: The Little Pim Factor

June 5th, 2012

Two organizations join forces to teach underprivileged children English. One Laptop Per Child’s mission is to provide every child access to new channels of learning with a no-frills, low-cost laptop. Little Pim is a fun, interactive foreign language immersion program for children. Engadget explains their potential, but alas, the package isn’t available yet.

Are IPOs Creating Jobs?

June 4th, 2012

More money = more employees…right? One might assume that when a company goes public, a hiring spree follows suit. But these days this just isn’t the case.

Underearners Anonymous: A 12-Step Program

June 4th, 2012

The jobless may have a new salvation: Underearners Anonymous. Some of the unemployed and underearning are taking a different approach, similar to that of alcoholics, toward securing a job and a worthy salary by gathering and sharing their stories.

Genevieve Smith recounts her experience at UA in a report for Harper’s magazine. Her story provides a realistic glimpse of the struggles of millions of Americans. A single mom, for example, reveals that she is trapped in a welfare vicious cycle. A job opportunity seems like a move in the right direction, but staying on welfare qualifies her children for free tuition and daycare–expenses her salary may not cover. She thanks the group for helping her identify her fears.

Guilty Pleasure: Mom & Dad, Send Me to Hunger Games Camp

June 4th, 2012

It’s important to note that the campers do not battle to the death. Instead they compete in activities such as laser tag and swimming, with points awarded to determine the victor. The cost: $395.

Life Without Nature Can Be Hazardous

June 1st, 2012

Nature-deficit disorder (noun): Lack of time spent in natural surroundings which narrows one’s senses. Side effects: stress, obesity, depression. Nature can provide a therapeutic answer to the stress in our lives with its ability to stimulate creative thinking. Without it, we may be threatening our well being. According to GOOD, in an interview with Richard [...]

Can Exercise Be Harmful?

June 1st, 2012

Some research says yes. Just when New York gets on board the obesity fight, a New York Times report examines the harmful effects of exercise. The data from exercise studies of 1,687 people revealed that 10 percent of those who worked out experienced worse results. The studies focused on heart disease, and for this 10 [...]

Guilty Pleasure: Billionaire Investor vs Rapper Drake

June 1st, 2012

Where on earth would rapper Drake and T. Boone Pickens, the chairman of BP have a conversation? Drake certainly didn’t headline a recent BP gathering. Instead we have Twitter to thank for bringing the two together.