In The Weeds

The true meaning of the internet.

It would be impossible to put a price tag on what it has cost to develop the internet as we know it.  The hardware and man-hours that have been invested since Project RAND (allowing scientists to communicate) in the 1950s to the Googles' of today; all the infrastructure and cables; the satellites; the software; all the development of hardware and software -- the sum total is probably the greatist and most expensive effort in human history.  And now, my Buckos, comes the fruition of all that effort and expense.  Enjoy this milestone in human achievement.

The Holy Grail.

Caffeine.  The perfect drug.  And proof that the little baby Jesus really does love us.  Unfortunately, most people don't know how to do it properly.  It doesn't matter how  you ingest it (coffee, tea, energy drink), there are right ways and wrong ways.  Here's how to get the biggest 'bang' for your buck:

1) Consume in small, frequent amounts.  Between 20-200mg per hour may be an optimal dose for cognitive function.

2) Play to your cognitive strengths while wired.  Caffeine may increase the speed with which you work, may decrease attentional lapses, and may even benefit recall - but is less likely to benefit more complex cognitive functions, and may even hurt others. Plan accordingly (and preferably prior to consuming caffeine!)

3) Play to caffeine's strengths.  Caffeine's effects can be maximized or minimized depending on what else is in your system at the time.  The beneficial effects of caffeine may be most pronounced in conjunction with sugar. For example, one factor analytic study hasshown caffeine-glucose cocktails provide benefits to cognition not seen with either alone.

4) Know when to stop - and when to start again.  Although you may not grow strongly tolerant to caffeine, you can become dependent on it and suffer withdrawal symptoms. Balance these concerns with the cognitive and health benefits associated with caffeine consumption - and appropriately timed resumption.

5) Finding good sources of caffeine.  Despite the huge variety of sources of caffeine - including caffeinated soap, candy, and of course chocolate - the optimal use of caffeine is likely to involve small, hourly doses along with some cardioprotective agent.

That's all for now.  Heed the knowledge and grow awesome Buckos.

Well, ain't that some s#&t.

So I don't see what's so blasphemous about this.  I mean, what, Jesus doesn't like the Village People?!?  Now THAT'S blasphemous.

Montel Williams says it all.

I think this video highlights the larger issue: how much of "what's important" do we choose; and how much is chosen for us by white millionaires sitting in penthouse offices atop the concrete canyons of Manhattan.  Thanks to Montel Williams for a brief reminder of one issue that should be on our minds every day.  "The Marines are at war.  America is at the mall."

Ten Simple Rules.

Drink this in my friends.  Drink it in and grow awesome.

A.I.=Artifical Intelligence A.I.=American Idol. Coincidence?

The new season of American Idol started last week.  So I'm not really proud of the fact that I watch the damn show, like the other 28 million people who watch.  But the genius of the show is in the layout and pacing.  Every season I tune in for first few weeks to watch the train wrecks - the people who can't sing.  The producers drag this phase out for about three weeks; from the auditions and then into "Hollywood week."  After that I'll end up watching the rest of the show out of sheer habit.  Like biting your nails is a habit.  Or like hiding from the law in Mexico to avoid going to federal prison and getting shanked in the yard or sodomized in the shower... is a habit.. like that is a habit... er... yeah.