Heading North?

Does It Tastes Better If It Cost More?

From NOW I KNOW - 

You Can Taste the Price

The hamburger pictured above is from a fancy restaurant. It costs $17. And it probably tastes good. No, it has to -- who would pay $17 for a burger and fries which didn't? No one, at least not twice.

That makes sense: in order to stay in business with an expensive menu, whatever your selling better make for a good dining experience. But at some point, our palates can't really discern between foods. When that happens, other signals take over. And at times, those signals can be so powerful that it overwhelms the rest of the experience. For example, would the same burger and fries above taste as good if it cost, say, $4? Maybe not.

In the fall of 2014, the Journal of Sensory Studies published a paper which investigated the effect on a meal's price on a diner's experience, and specifically, on how the diners rated their meals. The researchers teamed up with an of all-you-can-eat buffet Italian buffet which offered unlimited pizza to its customers, and invited a bunch of people -- 139, to be exact -- to partake in a chow down. Afterward, each of the 139 customers was asked to rate their experience. There was only one wrinkle: some of the customers paid $4 for the privilege while others paid $8. And no, the former group didn't know that they were getting a 50%-off deal. (Similarly, the latter didn't know that they were paying twice as much as the other group.)

So, who liked their meal more? The ones who paid double, per the Atlantic: "Those who paid $8 rated the pizza 11 percent tastier than those who paid $4. Moreover, the latter group suffered from greater diminishing returns—each additional slice of pizza tasted worse than that of the $8 group." Yes, even though they paid twice as more for the exact same product, the $8 group had a better time -- and thought they got a better deal, even though objectively, it wasn't. 

What's going on here? In a press release about the study, one of the authors of the paper, a Cornell professor named Dr. David Just, explained that, basically, a quality experience at a $4 all-you-can-eat pizzafest is simply too good to be true: "People set their expectation of taste partially based on the price -- and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I didn't pay much it can't be that good." 

So that $17 burger? It may taste good because of its high quality ingredients, a superior recipe, and better preparation than a $5 burger at a less fancy joint. Or maybe you've just convinced yourself that it does because hey, you paid $17 for it, and you had to have gotten your money's worth... right? 

http://nowiknow.com/you-can-taste-the-price/
 

Blaxicans

An excerpt from CNN - 

'Blaxicans' photos explore Angelenos straddling two worlds

"Duality: Blaxicans of L.A." is a photo exhibit that explores multiracial identity among the city's two largest minority groups. The show is a Humans of New York-esque portrait series of Angelenos of African and Latino backgrounds accompanied by captions detailing family history, experiences with colorism and self-identity. 

The exhibit grew from an Instagram account of the same name started by Walter Thompson-Hernandez, who has a Mexican mother and an African-American father. He launched Blaxicans of L.A. while researching the topic as a graduate student at Stanford University's Center for Latin American Studies in response to what he saw as a gap in multiracial studies.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/01/living/blaxicans-of-los-angeles-photo-exhibit-feat/index.html

More Folks We Need to Know About

Book synopsis from Amazon - 

We Could Not Fail: The First African Americans in the Space Program

by Richard Paul (Author), Steven Moss (Author)

4.3 out of 5 stars   7 customer reviews

The Space Age began just as the struggle for civil rights forced Americans to confront the long and bitter legacy of slavery, discrimination, and violence against African Americans. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson utilized the space program as an agent for social change, using federal equal employment opportunity laws to open workplaces at NASA and NASA contractors to African Americans while creating thousands of research and technology jobs in the Deep South to ameliorate poverty. We Could Not Fail tells the inspiring, largely unknown story of how shooting for the stars helped to overcome segregation on earth.

Richard Paul and Steven Moss profile ten pioneer African American space workers whose stories illustrate the role NASA and the space program played in promoting civil rights. They recount how these technicians, mathematicians, engineers, and an astronaut candidate surmounted barriers to move, in some cases literally, from the cotton fields to the launching pad. The authors vividly describe what it was like to be the sole African American in a NASA work group and how these brave and determined men also helped to transform Southern society by integrating colleges, patenting new inventions, holding elective office, and reviving and governing defunct towns. Adding new names to the roster of civil rights heroes and a new chapter to the story of space exploration, We Could Not Fail demonstrates how African Americans broke the color barrier by competing successfully at the highest level of American intellectual and technological achievement.

Not Sure Why You'd Want To But . . .

It's good to see this young man charting a path in NASCAR.

From The Root -

Darrell Wallace Jr.

MIKE EHRMANN/GETTY IMAGES

For many, NASCAR is not a sport “for us.” But that stigma is slowly changing, especially with Darrell Wallace Jr. in the game.

Wallace, affectionately known as “Bubba” to family and friends, made history in 2013 when he became the second African American in history to win a NASCAR national series (the first was Wendell Scott, in 1963). Finally, we had someone we could root for. As a product of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, Wallace may be the second to make waves in the sport but, hopefully, won’t be the last.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2016/03/darrell_wallace_jr_continues_to_pave_new_roads_in_nascar.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content%26

Primary Voters Don't Really Look Like America

Black Geniuses, Part 2

These gifted folks with ingenious inventions were left out of my history books.

Just in case they were left out of yours too, check them out and please pass this on. Our kids need to see this.

http://blackinventor.com

Black Geniuses

From The Huffington Post - 

10 Things You Never Knew Were Invented By Black People

We have black pioneers to thank for these useful inventions.

Three-Signal Traffic Light

After he saw a carriage crash in a Cleveland intersection, Garrett Morgan created a version of the modern three-way traffic signal in 1923. He was also the first black man to own a car in his city.

Closed Circuit TV

Marie Van Brittan Brown created a device in 1966 that would be the precursor to home surveillance as we know it. She connected a motorized security camera to a monitor, where one could view images from the camera.

Mailbox

In 1891, Philip Downing invented the "street letter box," which became the predecessor to the metal letter-drop mailboxes we use today.

Potato Chip

George Crum is widely credited for coming up with the potato chip as we know it. While he was working as a chef at a resort, a disgruntled patron sent his french fry order back to the kitchen and complained that they were cut too thick. So Crum made a new batch, cut them as thin as possible and added a bit of salt. Thus, potato chips were born.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Howard University alum Patricia Bath is responsible for creating the laserphaco probe, a device used for laser cataract surgery. With the help of the instrument, she was able to recover the sight of several individuals who had been blind for over 30 years.

Touch-Tone Phone

Shirley Ann Jackson made several telecommunications breakthroughs while employed with Bell Laboratories. Her scientific discoveries led to the touch-tone phone, caller I.D. and call waiting. Jackson was also the first black woman to graduate with a Ph.D. from M.I.T.

Super Soaker

'90s kids have Lonnie Johnson to thank for their super soaked summer water gun battles. The former NASA engineer created the toy in his spare time and after several rebranding attempts, his Super Soaker, known for its high-powered water blasting function, hit $200 million in sales in 1991.

3-D Special Effects

Computer graphics designer Marc Hannah co-founded Silicon Graphics, Inc. His computer programs were instrumental in the creation of special effects for films like "Jurassic Park," "Aladdin," "Beauty and the Beast" and more.

The Blood Bank

African American physician Charles Drew developed a way to process and preserve blood plasm, which lasts much longer than actual blood. His discovery was crucial to creating blood banks and assisting in the war effort during World War II. He was working on a blood bank for U.S. military personnel when he grew unhappy with the military's request to segregate the blood and left his position.

Refrigerated Trucks

Before Frederick McKinley Jones invented his portable cooling unit, perishable items were transported in trucks filled with ice.  He revolutionized the industry by creating a cooling system that could be mounted on the roof of the vehicle and would keep food fresh during long journeys.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-inventors_us_56d0d33ee4b0bf0dab3236d5

Living in Peace

These critters could teach us a thing or two about living in harmony.

From The Huffington Post -

Three Brothers Haven’t Left Each Other’s Side For 15 Years

https://www.thedodo.com/lion-tiger-bear-15-years-1627302473.html?utm_source=huffingtonpost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange

There Goes the Neighborhood

An excerpt From Atlas Obscura - 

THE FORMER WIÑAY WAYNA PUB

This is why we can't have nice things on the Incan Trail 

BARS, RUINS, ABANDONED

Despite its extremely remote location, the pub's downfall will sound familiar to anyone who's visited bars catering to masses of tourists. The fault didn't lay with the staff or locals as some have suggested (although Caruso was ultimately apprehended for tax evasion), but rather the irresponsible tourists themselves. Drunken backpackers were picking fights with each other, fighting over issues of national pride and using broken bottles as weapons, sometimes assaulting their own porters. As backpackers elected to party all night, they often slept through wake-up calls, thereby missing the entire reason they had, theoretically, visited the region. In the end, the government shut down the bar because, in the words of Edwar Pacheco, a guide who has led groups along the Inca Trail for seven years, "tourists were selling cocaine to each other.” Everyone agreed the "scene" had simply gotten out of hand, so it was time to put an end to Wiñay Wayna Pub.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-former-winay-wayna-pub?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura&utm_campaign=cb74bf7359-Newsletter_29_2_20162_26_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_62ba9246c0-cb74bf7359-59905913&ct=t(Newsletter_29_2_20162_26_2016)&mc_cid=cb74bf7359&mc_eid=866176a63f

I Call Bullsh*t

True confession.

I have funky feet.

Really FUNKY FEET.

I can't imagine wearing socks for days.

Of course, I shouldn't talk about these before giving them a try, but . . .

I don't buy it.

So, to be fair, somebody try them out and let me know.

Chris Rock Targets Race and Hollywood in Oscars Opening Monologue

Apologies.  I heard the previous clip was removed, so here it is again.

Chris Rock's Opening Monologue at the 2016 Oscars

Contrary to Popular Belief

From The Root -

Black Skiers and Snowboarders Hit the Slopes in Japan at the 2016 Japow! Powder Party

Beautiful scenery and a chance to experience a different culture are the highlights of this annual event. BY: HAKIM I. FAJARDO

Japow! Powder Party members at the Rusutsu Resort atop Mount Isola in Hokkaido, Japan LACRECIA WILLIAMS

Eric Rhea goes waist-deep while snowboarding in the back country of
Asahidake, Hokkaido, Japan, with Hokkaido Outdoor Adventures. 

Fanon Wilkins and Leon Henderson at the
Niseko ski resort in Hokkaido, Japan 

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2016/02/japow_powder_party_black_skiers_and_snowboarders_hit_the_slopes_in_japan.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content%26

What Does This Say & Does It Matter?

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5HqyFH/:icxGkEgU:jlUm4fHB/aplus.com/a/two-kinds-of-people-tumblr?c=8276

How Leap Year Works

Every Bucket from Steph Curry's 51-Point Night

This kid is good.

Meet President Obama's Nominee for Librarian of Congress

Perfect Timing

From Wired - 

SERGIO TAPIRO HAS a love affair with volcanoes. Well, one volcano. He’s spent 14 years making thousands of photos of the Colima Volcano in the southwest corner of Mexico. His perseverance paid off in December with the shot of a lifetime.

His photo captures a remarkable moment—the volcano erupting in a plume of ash and lava as lightning strikes, illuminating the scene against a sky filled with stars. For Tapiro, it underscores everything that makes Colima beautiful. “Every time you take a picture of a volcano, it reminds you of the beginning of this world,” he says.

http://www.wired.com/2016/02/sergio-tapiro-lava-ash-lightning-perfect-volcano-photo/?mbid=nl_22616

Door Design

The narrator of this clip is an annoying kid who looks like he's 12.  Ignore him and enjoy the very interesting clip.