There exists a certain psychological state which tends to produce laughter, which is the natural phenomenon or process of “humor”, or “humor perception”.
–Thomas C. Veatch, Department of Linguistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Here is the short scientific explanation of “funny,” and here’s the full version.
Here’s why I’ll try my best to avoid making puns ever again.
My favorite part of the above referenced paper: “Humor is emotional pain that doesn’t actually hurt.”
Nigiri - Sake (salmon). Mmmmm, my favorite!
I photographed this piece of sushi at Clem & Ursie’s in Provincetown, MA, moments before devouring it.
Though there are 3 basic types of Sushi — Chirashi, Maki, and Nigiri — the most well-known form of sushi is oval-shaped or Nigiri, made with sushi rice (seasoned with a sweet vinegar mixture), various raw fish (salmon, tuna, squid, shrimp, octopus, etc.) and wasabi (japanese horseradish).
Eating sushi correctly is an exercise in manners, logistics and tradition; as illustrated in this how-to-eat-sushi video:
From a NY Times article today:
Though street crime is relatively low in Japan, quirky camouflage designs like this vending-machine dress are being offered to an increasingly anxious public to hide from would-be assailants.
Check out the other great Urban Camouflage images here.
Chris Brown, Canadian musician-singer-songwriter-producer extraordinaire, has just released OBLIVION, his second solo album.
But this is far from Chris Brown’s second recording; he has been making great music for over 20 years. Chris was a member of the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir (1985-1995), a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario. Since then, he has recorded and performed steadily with singing partner Kate Fenner as Chris and Kate (1997-present). In 2004, Chris formed “The Citizens’ Band” as a vehicle for his solo material. Joined by Kate Fenner on vocals, The Citizens’ Band features Anton Fier (drums), Tony Scherr (bass), and Teddy Kumpel (guitar). Chris has played with numerous other musicians, including Ani DiFranco, Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene, Crash Test Dummies, DJ Logic, Po’ Girl, Rheostatics, The Tragically Hip and Tom Jones. …read more →
Piet Hein (1905-1996) was a Danish poet and scientist with wide ranging interests. He is known to a wider public for his thousands of short, aphoristic poems called Grooks (Gruk in Danish) and creations like the games of Hex, Nimbi, Qrazy Qube, and the Soma cube. He advocated the use of the super ellipse curve in city planning, furniture making and other realms. He also marketed housewares based on the Superellipse and Super-egg.
(from Wikipedia.)
I came across the Grooks of Piet Hein a few years ago, and I was recently reminded of how much I really liked these clever poems.
Here is a sampling of Piet Hein’s Grooks.
T.T.T
Put up in a place
where it's easy to see
the cryptic admonishment
T.T.T.
When you feel how depressingly
slowly you climb,
it's well to remember that
Things Take Time.
THE ROAD TO WISDOM
The road to wisdom? - Well, it's plain
and simple to express:
Err
and err
and err again
but less
and less
and less.