Can Kids Oscillate Better?

A new study shows that children and adolescents may be able to switch attention from one thing to another--say studying to texting--with more aptitude than adults. They have grown up with this technology, for one. Granted, this literature is in its infancy but I am sure many teens will love this study! See the article in the New York Times.

Medical Students Online

A new study in JAMA indicates that medical students posting photos of unprofessional conduct or inappropriate language is fairly common. Of 78 schools responding to the survey, 47 indicated that students had posted unprofessional content online. See the abstract here.

The Roots of Happiness

Psychiatrist George Vaillant has spent his career chronicaling the lives of a group of Harvard men. By doing so, he has sought to identify the roots of happiness. He has discovered that the following factors play a role in those men who have led the most rewarding lives: 1) using mature defenses (like humor and altruism); 2) education; 3) stable marriage; 4) not smoking; 5) not abusing alcohol; 6) some exercise; and 7) healthy weight. Nevertheless, those whom may have appeared the healthiest as young men did not always remain that way. Another key finding is the power of relationships that allows for successful aging.

See the article in The Atlantic.

Thoughts on attention

As William James put it, “My experience is what I agree to attend to.” In other words, you make many choices during the day and these choices constantly affect your experience. A new book by Winifred Gallagher describes that one makes deliberate choices about what to pay attention to. Attention is finite and these choices determine your subsequent subjective experience.

Health Care Reform

See this op-ed by David Grande in The Philadelphia Inquirer for an insightful look at the influence of the insurance industry on health care reform.

Teens and Texting

According to Common Sense Media, checking time is the number one use of the cell phone. Texting is number 2. Kids sends hundreds of text messages a week, including photos and video.

If you want to communicate with your kids, you need to learn how to text! However, remember to monitor cell phone usage, including texting. Teens have been given tools that they need to learn how to use properly, including proper cell phone etiquette. Set rules about cell phone use/texting and stick with them. Examples include turning off the phone during family time and leaving the phone in a public place overnight.

You can see Common Sense Media's recommendations on texting here.

Another Reason for Health Care Reform

Here is an article in the NYT discussing how doctors taking Medicare are dropping like flies.