Still Life

Thanksgiving Is a Feast of Things Forgotten

Thanksgiving is a feast so complex and semiotically dense that things are very often forgotten and rarely go according to plan.
chalkboard

How To Wrap Your Head Around Even The Most Complex Subjects

A 2x2 matrix is a great way of mapping just about any idea, research topic, or set of observations on two dimensions.
Spock and Kirk

Star Trek’s 50th Star Date Anniversary

September 8 marks the 50th anniversary of the first season of Star Trek, the NBC science-fiction series produced by Gene Roddenberry.
A wrapped burrito from Chipotle

What’s A Healthier Choice: A Big Mac or A Chipotle Burrito?

Consumers looking to make a healthier choice need to consider that "fast casual" restaurants aren't always better than fast food.
A restaurant check paid in cash

Why Do Americans Love Tipping?

Tipping as cultural practice: why some countries like the U.S. like tipping and others don't.
Museum of Broken Relationships exhibit

The Museum of Broken Relationships

Located in the historic Upper Town district of Zagreb, Croatia, the Museum of Broken Relationships began as an experiment.
Older photo of Donald Trump waving to the public

Donald Trump and the American Celebration of the Wealthy

A look into how wealth can transfer into fame.
Cardboard Boxes With a Made In America Emblem

The Return of “Made in the USA”

A key impetus for the “Made in the USA” resurgence is more about business expenses.
Image courtesy of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Wars: Can Anybody Really Tell the Difference?

While few people can reliably discern any difference in a blind taste test, Coca-Cola is winning in its branding war with Pepsi.
croissants with calorie count

Can Information Fight Fat?

New FDA regulations requiring prepared food retailers to disclose calorie content are counting on it to fight fat.