Hydrostatic weighing in Raleigh

For my own future reference....

Lean body mass, and % body fat are much better measures of health than absolute weight. The gold standard for body fat measurement is hydrostatic weighing. Hydrostatic weighing is available at Meredith College in Raleigh for $25.00.

http://www.meredith.edu/hped/ess/lab/hplpage/testing_specifics.htm

Want to Call Me? Pay Me!

Want to Call Me? Pay Me!

IAN AYRES AND BARRY NALEBUFF

The national Do Not Call Registry is the most popular consumer-protection initiative in our nation's history -- because it makes clear that you "own" the right to be left alone.

But the current law is flawed on two counts. Households can block commercial telemarketers, but not annoying calls from the benevolent association of retired dogcatchers. This government discrimination in favor of charities is why a federal court struck down the regulations as unconstitutional.

More importantly, it misses a market opportunity. The classic role of government is to establish a system of property rights and then to get out of the way to let entitlement flow to highest valuers. But the Do Not Call registry needlessly prevents you from selling a scarce resource -- your time and attention. Telemarketers could call from a reverse 900 number. That way, you would get paid for taking the call. While they are trying to sell you a product, you can be selling them your time.

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Learned Industriousness

Industriousness: How Can It Be Learned?

by Robert Eisenberger - University of Delaware Distinguished Lectures/Special Topics

The Romantic tradition in Western civilization, as reflected in the writings of humanistic psychologists, values the gentle nurture of unique talent as a means to individual success. This romantic view gives insufficient recognition to the difficult work needed to become proficient in a field of endeavor (Eisenberger & Cameron, 1996). Biographical studies of the lives of such remarkable scientists and mathematicians as Einstein, Feynman, von Neumann, and Ramanujan reveal the remarkable persistence required for creative achievement (Clark, 1972; Gleick, 1992; Kanigel, 1991; Lanouette, 1992; Macrae, 1992).
Some individuals work harder than others who have equivalent ability and motivation. One student consistently studies more for various courses than another student with similar life goals. A teacher carefully prepares lessons whereas a colleague relies on old, incomplete notes. A factory employee completes tasks rapidly and efficiently whereas another dawdles. Learning may contribute importantly to such individual differences in industriousness.
Almost seven decades ago, J. B. Watson (1930/1970) argued that "the formation of early work habits in youth, of working longer hours than others, of practicing more intensively than others, is probably the most reasonable explanation we have today not only for success in any line, but even for genius" (p. 212). If Watson exaggerated for emphasis, individual differences of industriousness do have an important influence on achievement. Recent research has shed light on mechanisms that contribute to the learning of industriousness.

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