Things I Learned Today…

Science Daily, via Lifehacker, brings us confirmation of what I’ve been saying since I could speak: `Chocolate, Wine, and Tea Improve Cognitive Performance.’  Ok, I just refer to chocolate as a religious sacrament (Church of Hendrix), but it’s great to see Science catching up with me for once.

You use text messaging, right?  Even I use text messaging.  Check out this article in the New York Times that reveals the industry’s dirty little secret: it costs the providers almost nothing, yet they’re charging us.

Last year, Cigna delayed approval for a liver transplant, causing the patient to die.  Her parents are suing.  The referrals have come home to roost, *$&#ers! Is this really a surprise under (mis)managed healthcare?

I kept telling people the ultimate laptop stand would be like the trays by hospital beds.  Fortunately I found something a bit less industrial (and less expensive).  The deal includes free shipping.  I just ordered one.

Ubuntu fans: head over to Make Tech Easier.  There you’ll find a how-to on backing up your Gmail.  It’s for Ubuntu 8.10 (Innovative Icthyopteryx).  And while we’re talking Ubuntu, there’s also an article on how to back up your Ubuntu installation with Remastersys.

Amazon warns customers of infected digital photo frames.  I have no idea why, but I find this hilarious.

Check out Fast fixes for common PC problems.  Breaks the ice at parties.  Might get you laid (I’m lying).

I KNEW YOU’D BE SURPRISED department:

Teen virginity pledges don’t work.  The results are from a large federal study.  I guess this means the end of abstinence-only education, right?  Well, perhaps not….

You might not be able to afford Vi*gra, even with the tons of spam you receive every day, but your tax dollars are going toward providing it for tribal warlords in Afghanistan, courtesy of the CIA.  Doesn’t that make you feel good (stiff?) all over?

And since we’re already talking about medicine, everyone needs to know that the FDA just approved an eyelash lengthening drug.  Apparently everything from cancer to male pattern baldness has been cured, so Big Pharma<tm> was bored….

You’ll probably find it hard to believe I’m posting a link to a story critical of Dick Cheney, but that’s precisely the type of guy I am.  The author makes some very good, factual points, as opposed to the star of the story.

Internet Newbies do many annoying things, almost on cue.  One of them is forwarding every bit of allegedly funny email they come across.  I just delete it.  However, here is one even I enjoyed…