Allow Me To Make A Point

Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting needles into various points on the body, used in most cases to eliminate chronic pain. But as with most ancient medical practices, there is heavy debate as to the validity of the science. And in all my reading on the subject, I have never encountered a claim like the one being made by Pham Thi Hong of Vietnam. Ms. Hong says she can detect whether or not a man is a virgin - it is a combination of checking the man's pulse and looking for a tiny red spot behind his ear. Apparently the spot will only disappear after heterosexual intercourse, and is not affected by gay sex or masturbation. But even though I doubt Ms. Hong's methods, she has made a name for herself. While treating a young man convicted of gang rape, she discovered the spot behind his ear and was convinced he was innocent. Her extremely persuasive campaign lead to the case being re-examined and investigators determined that the original case was flawed. The man was released from prison in January. Of course this has lead to a surge of appeals from other convicted rapists for Ms. Hong to examine them and clear their name. And while many would say this is proof that her method has merit, the underlying point is that the man was released from prison because the original investigation was erroneous. It raises an interesting question, though. How many of you read this and went to see if you have a tiny red spot behind your ear?

Posted By: Nethie - Sat Jul 03, 2010 - Comments (10)
Category: Body, Health, Medicine, Science, Sexuality

New Chris Mars Film

Give yourself a big treat.

1) Go to the home page of artist Chris Mars. (Note that site plays pleasant but loud music automatically.)

2) Click on the choice of FILM.

3) Click on the icon that looks like the image you see here to the right.

4) Sit back and be amazed.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 03, 2010 - Comments (11)
Category: Art, Surrealism, Body, Body Modifications, Horror, Cartoons

Good News!

For those of us who are too tired to try and get back into shape (if we ever were in shape... I think I was in shape in high school twenty-some years ago). A recent study published in the journal Body Image claims that chubby men are as attractive as men with six-packs. The University of Queensland, in Australia, had participants rate mock-up advertisements for jeans, skin-care products and cologne featuring muscular male models and average looking men. Neither the men or the women in the study responded more favorably towards the muscular models. You can read more about the study here.

Posted By: Nethie - Thu Jun 03, 2010 - Comments (6)
Category: Body, Exercise and Fitness, Health, Science

Follies of the Mad Men #106

[From Life magazine for September 12, 1949.]

This is someone's foot. With a face drawn on the sole. Wearing a collar and tie, glasses, and a hat. With fake "head" hair attached. I know it's "just a drawing." But the concept is ludicrous and creepy. I will not buy your shoes, Mr. Roblee!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 01, 2010 - Comments (3)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Body, Feet, Business, Advertising, Products, Fashion, Shoes, 1940s

Which NEW YORK TIMES Do You Read?

Maybe you read Jane Brody's column for May 11, 2010.

People of normal height or taller might be inclined to assume, as that silly Randy Newman song put it, that “Short people got no reason to live.... Short people got nobody to love.”

As someone who never broke the 5-foot mark, I can attest that most assumptions about short people are just that: assumptions. Here are a few facts.

¶ Children who are naturally short are no less socially competent or intelligent than taller ones.

¶ Being short was no deterrent to the likes of Yuri Gagarin, who, at 5-foot-1, was the first man in space; the actor Danny DeVito or the pop singer Prince, both 5-2; former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, a mere 4-10; or George Stephanopoulos, TV correspondent and talk show host, just over 5 feet.

¶ Short people can run countries (though not necessarily well): Napoleon, Caesar, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Franco.

¶ Being short is no impediment to financial success: Ross Perot and Michael Bloomberg.

¶ Even professional basketball is not out of reach: Spud Webb, 5-6, and Muggsy Bogues, just 5-3.

Or maybe you read "FOR CRIME, IS ANATOMY DESTINY?" printed just a few pages afterwards.

Poverty, greed, anger, jealousy, pride, revenge. These are the usual suspects when it comes to discussing the causes of crime. In recent years, however, economists have started to investigate a different explanation for criminal activity: physical attributes.

A small band of economists has been studying how height, weight and beauty affect the likelihood of committing — or being convicted of — a crime. Looking at records from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, they have found evidence that shorter men are 20 to 30 percent more likely to end up in prison than their taller counterparts, and that obesity and physical attractiveness are linked to crime.

There is already a sizable stack of research that examines the connections between physical characteristics and the labor market. Economists have found, for example, that every inch of additional height is associated with a nearly 2 percent increase in earnings...

Posted By: Paul - Tue May 11, 2010 - Comments (11)
Category: Body, Newspapers, Screwups

Long Tongue Boy

Posted By: Paul - Mon May 03, 2010 - Comments (5)
Category: Body, Freaks, Oddities, Quirks of Nature

Love Is Blind Department

I had to snap this picture covertly, on the streets of Providence, with my camera held at waistlevel and viewfinder image unseen, so I'm surprised it came out as good as it did. Circumstances prevented me from gaping at whatever was on the front of the shirt.



More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Sat May 01, 2010 - Comments (9)
Category: Body, Obesity, Fashion, Signage, Outsider Art, Public Indecency

Gay News Today

Was Jesus Gay? Elton John seems to think so. He stated as much in a recent Parade magazine interview. Of course the mere idea struck terror into the hearts of all homophobic Christians and those who choose to interpret the bible as saying "discriminate openly" rather than "love thy fellow man".

And what about those silly gay people who want to serve in the military? Surprisingly, a recent CBS News poll asking about Obama's wish to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, finds that a majority of the public support allowing openly gay men and women to serve. But what's even more surprising is that the same poll doesn't want homosexuals to serve. I suppose the poll was worded badly. Or maybe the people who answered that poll still think gay means 'having or showing a merry, lively mood'. In that case, who wouldn't want a bunch of merry old souls in the military?



More in extended >>

Posted By: Nethie - Fri Feb 19, 2010 - Comments (11)
Category: Body, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Crime, Domestic, Government, Law, Politics, Religion, Sexuality, Africa, Europe

Smallest Meets Tallest

My favorite part of the video is where the little guy holds the big guys index finger.



Click on the video at 1:04 to see that.

The big guys hand on the little guys shoulder at 54 seconds is pretty cool, too!

Posted By: gdanea - Wed Feb 17, 2010 - Comments (1)
Category: Body

Mystery Meat, Human Style

I was catching a bus the other day, and this box was awaiting transport. If you enlarge the photo, you can see that the label says: PLEASE RUSH/DONATED HUMAN TISSUE/NOT SUITABLE FOR TRANSPLANT.

What does one do with human tissue, if not transplant it? Perhaps create a cell-culture line? It's all very mysterious.

As I was taking the photo, a bus driver came by and joked with another employee. "What's that for--the barbecue?"

If anyone has a good explanation, please offer it in the comments!

Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 15, 2010 - Comments (12)
Category: Body, Science, Unsolved Mysteries