Think Again

During the past 20 years the rate of obesity in the United States has dramatically increased. The raising trend in obesity has been observed in children, women, and men of all populations and ethnic groups. The CDC provides an excellent snap shot into the growing epidemic, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html There are and continues to be many assumptions as to what are the driving forces behind the obesity epidemic with reduced physical activity and increased caloric intake being seen as the major drivers. But could there be additional drivers, are there factors in our human makeup that maybe the cause of this trend. Why is it that some can eat all their heart desires and never gain a pound (we all have those friends), food for thought. Readings: Food for thought. What you eat depends on your sex and eating companions Food for Thought_What You Eat Depends on Your Sex and Eating Companions Consumption stereotypes and impres...

Education includes such a broad spectrum of topics that it would be impossible to touch on all the changes and innovations happening in the field right now, but I've tried to pick 2 topic areas that are interesting to me. The first article by Paul Tough talks about early intervention, nonschool interventions, and then gives a brief introduction to the Harlem Children's Zone project, about which he recently wrote an entire book: 24/7 School Reform Somewhat related to that article is this article by David Whitman, about what he calls "The New Paternalism", talking about the success of schools that, along with traditional schooling, also enforce strict behavioral policies and require students to learn manners and treat one another respectfully: An Appeal to Authority Optional, but good and a very quick read: For some further information on these topics, here's a brief NYTimes article about the Harlem Children's Zone and paternalistic education: The Harlem Miracle...

Blogging, Tweeting and Facebooking: "The easiest kind of relationship is with ten thousand people, the hardest is with one." -- Joan Baez For many, the explosion of social media has increased the amount of time we spend communicating through our computers and hand-held devices. Some believe these advances enhance our relationships while others see this trend as isolating, making us less human. Do our social and interpersonal skills suffer as we choose to broadcast our activities and experiences as the latest news story? Do we have an increased sense of self importance? Has our sense of respect, propriety, and privacy been clouded? Is our dedication to a virtual "audience" imposing on our availability and attention to those we actually spend face time with? The readings for this month are varied, but fun. We'll have a more focused discussion based on the questions above and I'm sure, your personal experiences. Please browse what interests you in this study: h...

One thing the world does not lack is experts on the nature of love. Ask five people what determines attraction and you'll get five theories based on all kinds of selective evidence and personal experience. But is attraction really so peculiar to each couple, or are there universals? Are there biological predispositions, or do environmental factors like timing, scarcity, and competition make all the difference? In our dialogue this month, we approach the topic from a scientific approach first. Emily Bates, our in-house geneticist, will be giving a 20-minute presentation on some scientific approaches to the question of attraction, and then facilitate the dialogue the remainder of the time. Please add some comments in advance of the discussion regarding your interest in the topic. What questions would you like to discuss? Have you read anything that you think illuminates this topic? What would you like to get out of the dialogue on August 4? Please feel free to contact Emily directly ...

This month we think about the implications of people living longer and having fewer children. Our readings come from The Atlantic and The Economist. Those of you who attended our first dialogue group in January, 2008, will recognize The Atlantic article, " No Country for Young Men ," by Megan McArdle, which has a focus on the aging population in the United States. The article is short, and a good introduction to the topic. The Economist piece is actually a comprehensive special report on aging from a global perspective. There are eight articles in the special report. Please choose two from the following list for your preparation. Aging in the rich world A shortage of babies Living longer Selling to older people Targeting pensions Work 'til you drop China's ageing predicament Coping with global greying You can also download the entire report as a PDF if you are interested in having all of the articles (you click the button that says "View PDF" under the Phi...

There are a number of ways in which marriage is changing, but the most political marriage question of our day is clearly gay marriage. In the United States, the legal questions regarding gay marriage are being debated and decided at the state level, which means that each of us will soon (if you have not already) have the democratic opportunity to support or oppose a proposed policy on gay marriage. In our dialogue this month, we challenge ourselves to explore gay marriage policy options with the hope that each person will feel better equipped to form an informed, personal opinion about public policy on gay marriage. Our readings come from two thinkers with opposing perspectives on the issue, but a joint agreement on a policy proposal. We will read the introductions to each of their books, and the Op-Ed they wrote together for the New York Times. Everyone is encouraged to do some of his or her own research on various gay marriage policies around the county and the world in order to enri...

Hey everyone, The Salt Lake Gallery Association is organizing a bus trip to the Springville Museum of Art where the director, Vern Swanson, will provide a short introduction to the exhibits. Details: Saturday, May 2nd; Leaving at 11:45 am Returning to Salt Lake by 4:30 pm. Meet at the SDI parking lot right behind the Rio Grande Depot on 300 South and 500 West. The buses are already paid for by the SLGA and TRASA Urban Arts Collective. If you want to meet the group at the Springville Art Museum, show up at 1 PM. Tell them you're with the Gallery Association tour. Maybe drop the name "Cheryl." Although the permanent collection is available for viewing, we will focus on the 85th Spring Salon . This is a well-known juried exhibition for Utah artists which features all styles of artistic expression. There will also be an exhibit called Redrock, Sage and Pinon with an accompanying book by Drs. Vern G. Swanson and Donna Poulton, Painters of Utah’s ...