When Your Kid Says ‘Well D’uh Mom’, Isn’t It Ironic? Don’tcha Think?

By on September 17, 2010 Leave a Comment

Actually, it isn’t ironic: it’s sarcastic and rhetorical. But that’s not the point: the point is that the kid understands, intuitively, what sarcasm, irony, hyperbole, and rhetorical questions are all about. Which, incidentally, isn’t all about pissing off their parents but an exercise in practicing non-literal communication. A study at the University of Montreal concluded [...]

From the WTF Files: School-Organized Fake Murder of Teacher Backfires, Big Time

By on June 24, 2010 3 Comments
8-Real-Grade-Schools-That-Went-Completely-Insane

There is nothing I love to do more than surf the ‘net in search of quirky news stories – thanks in part, no doubt, to my healthy StumbleUpon addiction. I get a kick out of those numbered, list-type posts – you know, the ones that list the Top Ten Things You Should Never Say to [...]

From The Duh Files: Women Can Tolerate Pain More

By on April 24, 2010 1 Comment
house-of-pain

Wow, Mythbusters. Like I needed someone to prove to me that women can tolerate pain more than men. I mean, when’s the last time a man had his pelvis and privates tolerate the passage of an eight pound bowling ball? Been there, done that, and I’d do it again if duty called. Oh yes, I’m [...]

Babies Want Bacon, Now With More Scientific Research.

By on March 30, 2010 Leave a Comment
baby_bacon

A recent study in baby development explains, I think, my entirely unscientifically proven assertion that Canadian babies are in fact more intelligent than the average bear. According to science – SCIENCE, people – a chemical that is found in eggs and pork products might help in the development of a baby’s growing brain.