Category: General Interest

Items of general interest – for mass consumption

Do you own too much “stuff”?

Paul Graham complains that too many people spend too much time, money and effort accumulating too much “stuff” that is ultimately, not very useful. This stuff is not just worthless, it’s worse.

In fact, worse than worthless, because once you’ve accumulated a certain amount of stuff, it starts to own you rather than the other way around. I know of one couple who couldn’t retire to the town they preferred because they couldn’t afford a place there big enough for all their stuff. Their house isn’t theirs; it’s their stuff’s.

See full article.

How does Aamir Khan choose movies

Aamir Khan on why he chose to do Fanaa:

Remember that scene from FANAA when I am badly injured, lost in a blizzard, stumbling along half dead, when I spot a house. I need to survive because I still need to complete my mission. So I go towards the house for shelter and help. I bang on the door in desperation. The door is opened and it is opened by …..!!!… the BLIND girl I fell in love with and then ditched 7 seven years ago!!! Only now she has eyes! And I know that, because that is the last thing I did for her before disappearing from her life! She looks at me and screems my name!!! No way!!!?? How can she recognise me?!!! She was blind when she knew me! She had never seen me! She has eyes now but how is it possible that she has recognised me???!!!!! Is all this really happening? Am I hallucinating? – I am processing all this as I am collapsing and passing out and then – from behind the door a 6 year old boy comes running…!!! So thats the Rehan who she was screeming for!!! Oh GOD… then… thats… probably… my… son!!!!!!!!!!! Swoosh… and I pass out.

Where else will I get a scene like this as an actor? Which kind of film will give me the chance to perform this kind of moment? It certainly cant be a film like RDB. Only a film like FANAA will have in it a moment like this. I love it.

See full article on his blog, it’s quite interesting.

Why does salt enhance the flavor of almost all food?

Ever wondered why salt is so important to us in our diet? Ever noticed that the taste of something can actually change significantly after you’ve added salt? The Straight Dope has the answers:

Besides banging harder on the body’s salt gong, adding NaCl to some foods can increase the volatility of certain chemical compounds, meaning the molecules are more easily released to the air, and of course aroma is an important part of the taste experience. Finally, studies have shown the sodium in salt can suppress bitter tastes.

See full article for everything you wanted to know about salt, but were afraid to ask.