found drama

• A sweet problem: Princeton researchers find that high-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain
  at Princeton University — the real "this is why you're fat":

  "Some people have claimed that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity, but our results make it clear that this just isn't true, at least under the conditions of our tests," said psychology professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight and sugar addiction. "When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they're becoming obese — every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don't see this; they don't all gain extra weight."

  (tagged: cooking fitness food health science )
• Soft in the Middle
  at The New Yorker (via DF):

  For Apple, which has enjoyed enormous success in recent years, “build it and they will pay” is business as usual. But it’s not a universal business truth. On the contrary, companies like Ikea, H. & M., and the makers of the Flip video camera are flourishing not by selling products or services that are “far better” than anyone else’s but by selling things that aren’t bad and cost a lot less. These products are much better than the cheap stuff you used to buy at Woolworth, and they tend to be appealingly styled, but, unlike Apple, the companies aren’t trying to build the best mousetrap out there. Instead, they’re engaged in what Wired recently christened the “good-enough revolution.” For them, the key to success isn’t excellence. It’s well-priced adequacy.

  (tagged: Apple iPad economics business marketing )
• Bias Called Persistent Hurdle for Women in Sciences
  at NYTimes.com — frustrating that we have not come farther on this:

  The report found ample evidence of continuing cultural bias. One study of postdoctoral applicants, for example, found that women had to publish 3 more papers in prestigious journals, or 20 more in less-known publications, to be judged as productive as male applicants.

  (tagged: politics academics sexism )
• Nominate Burlington, VT for the Google Community Fiber Project
  The fiber, we wants it…
  (tagged: fiber Google Burlington Vermont todo )
• Harry Reid to John McCain: "Stop being a baby and play ball."
  at Democrats.senate.gov (via Balloon Juice) — Harry Reid on John McCain:

  For someone who campaigned on ‘Country First’ and claims to take great pride in bipartisanship, it’s absolutely bizarre for Senator McCain to tell the American people he is going to take his ball and go home until the next election. […] At a time when our economy is suffering and we’re fighting two wars, the American people need Senator McCain and his fellow Republicans to start working with us to confront the challenges facing our country—not reiterating their constant opposition to helping working families when they need it most.

  (tagged: politics )

About Rob Friesel