The F Bomb. (It's Not What You Think).

In an era where young girls wear belly shirts and idolize Paris Hilton, I find it encouraging that at least a few female teens identify as a feminist.

Yep, that's the f-bomb.

Check out their smart writing at: http://www.thefbomb.org/.

Questioning Irrational Exuberance.

Author Barbara Ehrenreich thinks vinegar deserves as much accord in American culture as honey.

Coming in October, her critique of positive psychology--practiced by such corporate charismatics as Jack Welch, Tom Peters and Tony Robbins--is entitled Brightsided: How the Relentess Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America."

Ehrenreich, who holds a PhD in cellular immunology, battled cancer and says it annoyed her to hear that the disease was a "gift." She traces the background of our cultural optimism and argues that negativity has a place.

Cranky or common-sensical? I am curious to find out.

Lost and Found.

If you've ever misplaced your keys or cell phone--and who hasn't?--you've had a taste of what living with Alzheimer's is like.

Between now and November 13, log onto www.lostandfoundcampaign.com and Accera will make a $1 donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America for every submission you make, sharing what you've lost lately.

Quick and easy, your action ensures the organizer reach their goal of $50,000 by Nov. 17, National Memory Screening Day.

Don't forget!

Sunny. And Sinister.

I'm talking, of course, of the simian-faced Dexter. Actor Michael C. Hall is riveting and matched by an equally slick, charismatic psycho in actor Jimmy Smits.

Watching them go mano a mano is TV at its killer best.

Season 4 premieres September 27.

Green with Envy.

According to a blurb in the September/October issue of Psychology Today, eco-friendliness is not always eco-motivated.

Rather it's status-driven. Think Prius. Think "prestige" reusable shopping bags.

Wealth and self-sacrifice go hand in hand, but seemingly only with a label that boosts social standing.

True, Dat.

How's this for lacerating prose:

"I call again and get a busy signal that saws away at my morning optimism." from the novel Up in the Air by Walter Kirn, soon to be a movie starring George Clooney.

Unlocking Hearts.

A bit of wisdom from Michael Silverblatt, host of Bookworm:

"It's one of the secrets of the world. We all have the key to one another's locks. But until we start to talk, we don't know it."

Hotel Wonders.

On a recent sojurn to Canada, I pondered bad bathroom design.

Why do so few hotel bathrooms make use of pocket doors, which maximize a minimal space?

And on a related note, why do so many toilets feature two rolls of paper?

Just wondering...

Memorable Phrase of the Day.

"Coiled desire."

Your Kid is Probably Racist.

Cruising through the airport yesterday, the headline on Newsweek's cover caught my eye: Is Your Baby Racist?



The authors of Nutureshock, P Bronson and Ashley Merryman, posit that modern child rearing is failing. And the most explosive premise? That toddlers discriminate despite parents best efforst.



It's depressing news in 2009.

Techno Ethics.

Just read about the fascinating field called techno ethics, which is concerned with whether computers have rights.



And I though the machines were running us! Who's really in charge here?



Read this interesting abstract to learn more: http://capurro.de/ethicsandroboticshtml

Three Cheers for Chipotle!

Although I am not a big fan of fast food, I am a fan of Chipotle.

Especially the Ponce de Leon (Midtown Atlanta) location managed by Juan Mosalve.

I pulled in last month, unknowingly sans wallet. Embarrassed, I demurred and offered to return with the cash. After conferring with Juan, the clerk "gifted" me with my pork burrito.

Which, I might add, was delicious.

That's the kind of smart decision that builds customer loyalty. Worth way more than the $6 it costs.

Thanks, guys.

Vacation as Lifesaver.

We've long known that stress and disease are linked. But it seems that we've forgotton the healing power of vacationing.

According to an article in the September issue of Conde Nast Traveler, an escape could stave off aging or even save your life. One study says two annual vacations can cut a person's risk of a heart attack by 50%.

Yet 34% of all American workers don't tap all their vacation time.

No question, travel has its hassles (delayed flights, crowds, booking snafus) but at its best, a change of venue provides unparalleled pluses, including the chance to unwind, reflect, recharge and de-stress.

And those positive holiday patterns often stay with us once we've back home in our routine.

So don't cancel that weekend getaway. Tell your boss it's good for your health

Creative Symbolism.

Had an interesting conversation today with Maggie Macnab, who practices "applied imagination" at her design studio in New Mexico.



Maggie has written a fascinating book, Decoding Design, discussing logo design from the context of sacred geometry and creative symbolism.



She says the best design is sustainable: in balance. Her next project? Exploring multi-disciplinary colloboration.



Check out Symbol Simple on her website, http://www.macnabdesign.com/symbolsimple.html.



And read chapter 1 of her book, at http://www.decodingdesign.com/images/DecodingDesign_overview.pdf.