Sunday, September 30, 2007
Religious happier than athiests?
And it apparently doesn't matter which religion . . . http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110010672.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Men happier, women less so in modern society
Here's another one of those "happiness" stories. We've seen similar data at JBU where the female faculty members feel busier and less satisfied than the men. National survey data (HERI in particular) has shown similar results.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/business/26leonhardt.html?ex=1348459200&en=08b7d45b98eea4fd&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/business/26leonhardt.html?ex=1348459200&en=08b7d45b98eea4fd&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Another example of the "Great Books" debate
Seems like some of this "Great Books" idea is making a comeback - http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/09/26/kronman.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Fitness training info
On a more personal level, my wife and I have done some fitness training off and on. Given my sabbatical free time, we're back "on" right now. Here's a summary of my latest reading on the topic by bodybuilder Tom Venuto, probably the most reasonable and insightful advice I've seen so far on these issues (and I've read or skimmed through about a dozen books related to fitness, nutrition, weight lifting, etc.). None of what Mr. Venuto has to say is revolutionary, but it's balanced, well-articulated, and compelling.
Basically, you set goals, you eat right, and you do aerobics and weight lifting, each for 3-7 times a week (6-14 times total depending on your fitness level), each for 30-60 minutes a session, and all of them at high intensity.
His top 8 list (the fundamentals) for nutrition are: eat fewer calories than you burn (count everything), properly balance your macronutrients (50/55-30-15/20 for carbs-proteins-fats), eat 5-6 meals a day (also balanced), eat lean protein with every meal, eat the right type of carbs (avoid refined sugars), eat the right type of fats (essential fatty acids), drink plenty of water, and eat natural foods as much as possible (skip the MREs and supplements).
Your main goal should be to reduce your percentage of body fat (weight loss is only an ancillary byproduct). Last time I checked, my body fat was 17%, and my VO2 was 48. Both are pretty good for a man my age, but my wife's results (17% and 43) put her in the "elite athlete" level for a woman, which would equate to about 9% and 60 for a man. To do that, I'd have to keep my lean mass the same and lose almost 20 pounds of fat while improving my conditioning by more than 20%! So that's my goal, catch up with my wife over the next few months as I try to put some of this into practice. Now that it's in writing for everyone to see, I've got to stay with it, huh?!
Basically, you set goals, you eat right, and you do aerobics and weight lifting, each for 3-7 times a week (6-14 times total depending on your fitness level), each for 30-60 minutes a session, and all of them at high intensity.
His top 8 list (the fundamentals) for nutrition are: eat fewer calories than you burn (count everything), properly balance your macronutrients (50/55-30-15/20 for carbs-proteins-fats), eat 5-6 meals a day (also balanced), eat lean protein with every meal, eat the right type of carbs (avoid refined sugars), eat the right type of fats (essential fatty acids), drink plenty of water, and eat natural foods as much as possible (skip the MREs and supplements).
Your main goal should be to reduce your percentage of body fat (weight loss is only an ancillary byproduct). Last time I checked, my body fat was 17%, and my VO2 was 48. Both are pretty good for a man my age, but my wife's results (17% and 43) put her in the "elite athlete" level for a woman, which would equate to about 9% and 60 for a man. To do that, I'd have to keep my lean mass the same and lose almost 20 pounds of fat while improving my conditioning by more than 20%! So that's my goal, catch up with my wife over the next few months as I try to put some of this into practice. Now that it's in writing for everyone to see, I've got to stay with it, huh?!
Wal-Mart's financial impact
The short version is that the average American saves almost $1000 a year because of the existence of Wal-Mart.
http://www.globalinsight.com/MultiClientStudy/MultiClientStudyDetail2438.htm
http://www.globalinsight.com/MultiClientStudy/MultiClientStudyDetail2438.htm
The rise of a Catholic CCCU?
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/09/25/catholic
Interesting trend in Christian higher education. This also sounds a lot like that "Education for our Time" book that I reviewed earlier.
Interesting trend in Christian higher education. This also sounds a lot like that "Education for our Time" book that I reviewed earlier.
Are Christians discriminated against in higher education?
http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i05/05b00601.htm
My experiences in higher education have been similar to the main tone in the piece. There's some inherent discrimination against Christians, but even more so against conservatives. And it's usually more covert than overt. The statistics I've seen would appear to bear out those perceptions as well.
My experiences in higher education have been similar to the main tone in the piece. There's some inherent discrimination against Christians, but even more so against conservatives. And it's usually more covert than overt. The statistics I've seen would appear to bear out those perceptions as well.
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