Quickies
Skepchick Quickies, 9.29
- The new recipients of the MacArthur Genius grants include several scientists and science teachers doing some fascinating things.
- Study reveals women apologize more than men.
- Ben & Jerry’s to drop ‘All Natural’ from labels.
- Actress Ashley Eckstein creates Star Wars merchandise for girls. (From James.)
RE: B&J – What, you don’t want All Natural Lead-Arsenic-Mercury Neapolitan with Asbestos Chunks in? It goes great á la mode with Uranium Pie and Radon Infused Seltzer! Classic! And it’s natural! In fact it’s so natural, that all the additives are actual elements or minerals! Can’t get more natural than an element!
Am I the only one who feels the ‘Center for Science in the Public Interest’ are being a bit naive to presume that there is a reasonable definition of natural to be found at all? I think the FDA have the right idea, just ignore it as a nonsense term.
Yeay to the MacArthur Award scientists! Incidentally, one of the winners is a Deaf linguist- the first Deaf person to win it. Congrats to Dr. Carol Padden!
@Zapski: Ununoctium Pie is waaaaay better, but you got to eat it really fast before it loses it’s distinctive flavor.
I’ve always loved Ben & Jerry’s, but now I will love it even more that I don’t have to face the appeal to nature fallacy every time I eat it. I’m sure the manufacturers still buy into it, but at least it will be easier for me to ignore it. Natural or not, whatever they put in there tastes awesome. However, the article mentioned that some advocacy group had a problem with corn syrup, and I just don’t understand how that is less natural than sugar from sugar cane.
About the Star Wars merchandise for girls, I am so glad that it’s basically the typical clothing but in sizes/shapes that work better for a lot of women. I was afraid that it would be pink Darth Vader action figures or something like that.
@Imrryr: Sure, if you dine at hoity-toity expensive restaurants. Me, I like the classics. Though there is a lot to be said for Polonium Pie, just like Madame used to make….
@Zapski: Ah yes, Polonium Pie… Personally, I usually enjoy it with a glass of molten iridium. Sure, it’s a bit hot, but a properly aged bottle of iridium is just to die for, I assure you. I recommend the 65,000,000 BC vintage if you can find it. That was a good year. *sighs wistfully*
I checked out the Her Universe website. I was shocked the background wasn’t pink and it featured a variety of colors for clothing.
And the fact I was shocked by this made me really sad.
What, no pink lightsabers?
@Buzz Parsec: I have a vague feeling I should apologize for the previous remark to get our stats up.
I work (tangentially) with one of the MacArthur scientists! They made some great picks.
Female Sith don’t have to apologize for ANYTHING…just sayin’.
For years I’ve been trying to figure out how you create something that is not a part of nature.
Ick all over that apologies article. I like how in closing it suggests that women who are upset by a man’s lack of apology should consider that men just don’t think it’s a big deal, and feel better. Conspicuously missing: complementary advice that men consider that offenses they think minor might actually be a big deal to the woman offended, and apologize.
@rider: The trick is to start with unnatural or supernatural materials. Its pretty easy then. But if you start with natural materials, well, you know what you get.
@Skepotter: Ahhh I always wondered how they made I can’t believe it’s not butter.