Why I Sometimes Hate the Behavioral Sciences

photo by robertnelson

This article about child development and computers popped up into my reader:

"Kids + Home Computers = Lower Test Scores?"

Cue eye roll and exasperated sigh. I'm so sick of these studies coming out of the soft sciences that are 100% predictable as well as confuse correlation with causation. Computers don't make kids stupid, use of computer technology not conducive to education and proper development is more likely to do that, but that's just my random shot in the dark theory.

They might as well have created a study about the effects of kids and dilly-dallying, or kids doing just about anything without supervision or structure from a parent or other authority figure.

“Adults may think of computer technology as a productivity tool first and foremost, but the average kid doesn’t share that perception.” Kids in the middle grades are mostly using computers to socialize and play games...

Even if you are an adult who is not tech-savvy and still dazzled by the wonders of the Internet, you'd have to be pretty dense or oblivious to not notice your kid is not using his computer for productivity purposes if his computer time is monitored in a common area of your home. You'd be hard-pressed to confuse video games and chat rooms with an excel spreadsheet or library database. This is the crux of the problem - parents who let computers babysit their kids or mistakenly believe computers are somehow learning tools first and foremost just because they have a hard time using them.

I for one do not plan on letting my kid have his or her own private computer or fancy cell phone. And if any teacher attempts to make students use their cell phones' search function as a classroom learning activity I will quickly petition for their removal for shoddy pedagogical techniques.*

For those of you who might think this is a double standard considering the not-small amount of time I spend blogging, tweeting, and updating my Facebook page, it's not. Mommy, Daddy, and even Grandma get to waste time online since we're all old enough not to be taken advantage of by wackadoo predators and our homework has been all done for a looooong time.

*This is not because I do not think a scholarly rationale for using a cell phone as an educational device (such as using it as an audio or video recording device in a communication arts class) has no merit - but because the applications I have heard of do not seem to optimize learning in ways looking things up in oh, I don't know, books, can.

Free Enterprise Series: Ethiopian Shoes from Rubber Tires

I used to write a marginally scandalous blog post series called "What's Wrong with the World Wednesdays" until I realized that: a) what I was writing was not all that original and I'd leave the heavy lifting (and receipt of bizarre harassing comments) for the professional wonks on the web, b) it is both tiresome and loathsome to commit yourself to writing about negative things ALL the time, c) I no longer believe in the advantage of blog writing schedules, so naming a series with a day of the week in it was a very bad idea.

So - I'm taking a different tack. Maybe it's impending motherhood, but the world is so damn negative, perhaps I can shine a teeny tiny light by emphasizing the things that are right with the world instead. (Don't worry, I'll always stay snarky.) As a free market proponent - I love to find stories about the unequivocal good done when businesses are allowed to innovate in new areas.

This story comes from Ethiopia via CNN, where businesswoman Bethlehem Alemu founded SoleRebels: a family-friendly, family-owned, fair trade, free trade, eco-friendly, for-profit company.

Alemu and her family launched the business in 2005 and already it is stepping out onto the global stage with clients like Amazon, Urban Outfitters, and a host of Web sites outlets and bricks and mortar companies in the U.S.

--

Innovation is not a hallmark of Ethiopia. The country is Africa's second most populous and one of its poorest, more known for famine and periodic conflicts than innovative business startups.

The country is dependent on foreign aid from bilateral donors and millions receive food assistance every year.

But Bethlehem Alemu wants to change that.

You would think stories of women from third-world nations creating global businesses that are both sustainable and profitable would be front page news, rather than a fluff piece...but people are addicted to the bad stuff. I'm glad I am weening myself from it.

Deliciousness Ahead

Photo by BrettF on flickr

So - the one big huge benefit I've found with food aversion during pregnancy is trying new foods. And while I'm not a vegetarian, I love vegetarian cooking which is a blessing since I have a major aversion to meat during pregnancy (first and third trimester) as well as anything that is not ABSOLUTELY fresh. Slightly stale bread, bruised fruit, barely-wilted veggies - no way. (I used to feel comfortable walking the edge of fresh in my non-pregnant days.)

Today I discovered a super-duper yummy salad - and I'm so sick of salads - so this is kind of a big deal. It's inspired by the "Middle Eastern Carrot Salad" in one of the Moosewood cookbooks - but I don't always follow directions, so here is my version with measurements that I have left rather open to interpretation based on your personal tastes for certain ingredients. (I happen to love both mint and parsley and the scant measurements in the original recipe were not enough for me. Also - I thought adding some nuts/seeds for protein was both nutritionally wise and provided some crunch and depth.) And how about I name the salad after my daughter-to-be? : )

Cordelia's Carrot Salad

(vegan/vegetarian/gluten free)

1-2 Cups grated carrots

1-4 Tablespoons fresh mint

1-4 Tablespoons fresh parsley

1-3 Tablespoons olive oil or other vegetable oil

Juice of a half a lemon (or more, whatever you like!)

salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon agave nectar, honey, or sugar (or more to taste, but just a tiny bit - carrots are super sweet and if you add too much the salad will taste icky!)

1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander (to be honest, you could put more if you love it taste)

Handful of roasted nuts or seeds (I used sunflower seeds, unsalted - but I bet almonds would be good too.)

I bet sumac and/or some seaweed would be tasty additions too - just have not tried that yet.

Sorry no real pics for you visual learners - but just imagine a bowl full of grated carrots with specks of green from the mint/parsley and you'll be on the right track.

Eroding Civil Liberties?

Well, as usual, here is a case where my legal knowledge is woefully lacking, but my gut instinct tells me a recent trend in arresting citizens for videotaping excessive force or otherwise inappropriate behavior by police is wrong. (For the record, I don't put a lot of stock in gut instinct regarding legal matters, other than I find it sufficient rationale for writing a blog post.)

Gizmodo offered a few accounts of recent cases in their article Are Cameras the New Guns? For example,

A recent arrest in Maryland is both typical and disturbing.

On March 5, 24-year-old Anthony John Graber III's motorcycle was pulled over for speeding. He is currently facing criminal charges for a video he recorded on his helmet-mounted camera during the traffic stop.

The case is disturbing because:

1) Graber was not arrested immediately. Ten days after the encounter, he posted some of he material to YouTube, and it embarrassed Trooper J. D. Uhler. The trooper, who was in plainclothes and an unmarked car, jumped out waving a gun and screaming. Only later did Uhler identify himself as a police officer. When the YouTube video was discovered the police got a warrant against Graber, searched his parents' house (where he presumably lives), seized equipment, and charged him with a violation of wiretapping law.

2) Baltimore criminal defense attorney Steven D. Silverman said he had never heard of the Maryland wiretap law being used in this manner. In other words, Maryland has joined the expanding trend of criminalizing the act of recording police abuse. Silverman surmises, "It's more [about] ‘contempt of cop' than the violation of the wiretapping law."

3) Police spokesman Gregory M. Shipley is defending the pursuit of charges against Graber, denying that it is "some capricious retribution" and citing as justification the particularly egregious nature of Graber's traffic offenses. Oddly, however, the offenses were not so egregious as to cause his arrest before the video appeared.

It all sounds fishy to me. Furthermore, it just seems like more cases of disallowing citizens to protect themselves - regardless if the intended target of the video is another private citizen or a police officer. Also, it is the shock of the century to find out the "law" is being most strictly enforced in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland. (Illinois and Maryland having two large metropoli with considerably high crime rates.)

Again, the legality of this issue seems complex - I can't imagine it is acceptable for citizens to videotape whomever they please wherever they please. For example, if some creep is videotaping me outside my window I'm guessing he's on my private property and I have the right to clock him on the head. (Someone please verify.) But what if he's in his own house across the street with a telephoto lens? I mean - take the papparazzi - don't they make their entire living more or less legally by taking photos in public "where no expectation of privacy is expected?" So, if you are being arrested, either in public or in your own private property (your car for example) - wouldn't it be appropriate to assume you have the right to record audio or video?

When the police act as though cameras were the equivalent of guns pointed at them, there is a sense in which they are correct. Cameras have become the most effective weapon that ordinary people have to protect against and to expose police abuse. And the police want it to stop.

The Homeless World Cup

I was amazed to read about this story about The Homeless World Cup: a largely private solution to a problem most people pose as the sole responsibility of governments to "solve".

Over 30,000 homeless players around the world are aiming for the chance to stand proud and represent their country on the global stage in Rio. A street soccer stadium with 3 pitches holding a crowd of 5,000 will be built on Copacabana Beach with the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain as the remarkable, iconic backdrop.

Mel Young, President, Homeless World Cup said: "Brazil and the City of Rio have the courage to take positive steps to address poverty and serious social issues with football, a sport in which they lead the world.

“The Homeless World cup is an opportunity for homeless people to move from the invisible margins to the center of Rio, stand proud on a global stage, true ambassadors for their country, and change their lives. A ball can change the world.”

According to the site,

The impact is consistently significant year on year with 73% of players changing their lives for the better by coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams.

The Homeless World Cup supporters include UEFA, Nike, UN, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.

It would be great to see sports teams in the US take on a project of this scope. I know many sports teams and figures support charities, but this is something that could really increase visibility of an issue like homelessness. There is also an element of "teach a man to fish" which is always a more effective means of helping people help themselves.

This video made me cry.

Homeless World Cup, MILAN 2009 - The Final from Buzz Films on Vimeo.

Top 10 Signs You're In Your Third Trimester

photo by Clearly Ambiguous

I thought I'd compile a little Top 10 list about being almost 7 months pregnant, "You Know You're in Your Third Trimester When..."

10. People stop saying "You look great!" and start saying "Wow, you look big."

9. You wheeze when climbing one flight of stairs.

8. Your vet informs you the topical steroid you are supposed to administer to your dog could induce labor if it is absorbed into your skin and your first thought is, "Oh goodie!"

7. Your ankles represent doughy rolls.

6. You find inner peace via incessant complaining.

5. You have lost any shame about the fact you are wearing clothing a full 4 times your regular size.

4. The size of your bazooms can make any outfit look obscene.

3. You begin to wear dresses as t-shirts.

2. You buy another dog to take care of because you can't stand waiting for the baby anymore.

1. You stop thinking the baby kicking is cute, and begin to get scared of the day it will be able to beat you up.

Daring to Do Just One Thing

photo by sean_hickin

I consider myself to be a fairly brave gal. I mean, within reason. I don't jump out of planes or anything. But I like to challenge myself in a lot of different ways - but this concept just sounds way too scary.

unitasking

Google it and you'll find all kinds of links about unitasking, that is, doing one thing at a time. By the way, this message comes to you from someone is watching So You Think You Can Dance, is writing this blog post, petting my dog and just finished a bowl of cherry-topped ice cream. Ha!

I am extremely afraid of this idea - it is something I have sort of attempted before in small doses and I have always enjoyed the results and been surprised how much I accomplished despite fearing that unitasking would render me woefully unproductive. But I cannot seem to stick with it. The allure of multi-tasking is pervasive and encouraged as a desirable trait in so many areas of life.

I hate multi-tasking. I feel like it robs me of my sanity. I think there is scientific evidence this is the case. Multi-tasking is stress-inducing, hence, cortisol producing - which makes you crazy and fat. Ergo - multi-tasking makes you crazy and fat. (Don't quote me, but I think it might be true.)

But like I said, I am brave and unitasking is in my near future. I might wait a week before I implement this lifestyle change, just to get all my multitasking out of my system. Then I think I'll do a 30 Day Unitasking Challenge - kind of like my famous (in my mind) 30 Day Relaxation Challenge and my 30 Days of Courage