Lighter Elements

1) Structuralists Get No Love

When the economy goes South, so does concern for climate change. A University of California Study notes that Google Searches for terms like “climate change” rise and fall with the business cycle. And, “When the Economy Falters, the Pews Fill,” so says another economist with spreadsheets to make his case. All this new data to recapitulate Dr. Abraham Maslow's “Theory of Human Motivation,” published 1943. Oh, and old men Marx and Weber must have been on to something too.

2) Priorities in Pictures

So when unexpected danger approaches at breakneck speed, do you run or grab for your camera bag?

3) The Bard of Wascilla

Former governor, future president, Sarah Palin, made up a word this week in a tweet to her followers, "refudiate." Refudiate, which is obviously a blend of the root words refuse and ate. Ms. Palin first deleted her word about 30 mins. after first posting it. Later she did a shout out to Shakespeare and said that really it was just homage to his greatness that compelled her to do her part in keeping English a "living language." She's into linguistic organic cultivation. I can dig that. But, as Peter Sagal quipped, Sarah Palin does have one thing in common with Williams S. Just like Shakespeare, half of of America can't understand what the other half of America sees in her.