Lecture Post Requirements (1/2/3)

Lecture 1: Graphology
The lecture of Graphology was quite an interesting one. I understand how this would spark some kind of pseudo-scientific study, as writing is a form of art, and art is a way we express ourselves and our thoughts. The idea that the way we write is a subliminal expression of our character traits and personality is, by far, the most believable 'science' we've covered in this class. I personally find that the link to your hand writing and your job is where this 'science' lost all merit to me. I do not think that there is, or should have been, any correlation. It immediately delivers itself as a ridiculous idea, and loses the faith of anyone who was grasping this 'science'. Overall, this lecture was one of my favorites, due to its content and believably.

Lecture 2: UFOs & Abductions
This lecture was more in-depth than I had anticipated it to be. This lecture had delved deep into the psyche of individuals and various ways the mind reacts when attempting to remember an event. The lecture also went over various test that allow the patient/subject to project themselves onto caricatures or inanimate pictures, which allowed the doctors to delve within the mind of their patient. In summary, this lecture is probably my favorite, it is similar to Graphology in many ways as well, and it seems almost completely legitimate.

Lecture 3: Mass Delusion/HysteriaThis lecture related very much to the concluding chapters of my assigned reading, Why People Believe Weird Things, by Michael Shermer. In a similar manner to The War of the Worlds, there were a group of people that had developed a case of Mass Delusion, however instead of an alien invasion, it was related very much to reality. Particularly the Holocaust and Genocide of the Jewish people during the second World War. The group that denied and fell under delusion of the Holocaust had understood facts, but had made assumptions and read statistical data wrong, generating an incorrect belief. In a similar vein, the War of the Worlds had created a type of Mass Hysteria/Delusion on a false event, however both the lecture and the book were able to explain and elaborate on how this type of pseudoscience operates.

Sweet News

Many parents believe sugar is the cause for their child's cranky behavior. Is this really true or are they trying to make two things that don't go together connect because "it's the only logical explanation."

Why would it be the only logical explanation? Well, the child seems to only get moody right after they have a lolli-pop, or after birthday parties. Logically, that means the child had some sugar and there seems to be a correlation between having sugar and getting moody. Are we just grasping for a quick answer?

First lets point out that babies, in fact, come into this world with a natural sweet tooth, which is what attracts them to breast milk. So, if we are brought into this world craving sugar, how can it be detrimental to our moods/health.

Pediatricians and nutritionists say sugar can have a healthful place in a child's diet as long as it is consumed in modest amounts. In fact, a few drops of sugar water can help soothe a fussing baby. Well then, what is the problem? The problem seems to be that children are getting too much too soon.

It seems that an excess of sugar causes high blood pressure which in turn cuases high amounts of insulin in the blood to wipe out the sugar. The sugar is cleared quickly and this makes the mood change quickly as well. It also makes one crave sugar and puts one into a vicious cycle of highs and lows.

Source:http://www.parenting.com/article/Baby/Recipes--Nutrition-For-Children/Sugar-Does-It-Make-Kids-Hyper