Napkin Art
05 Friday Sep 2014
Posted in Fun
Tag Archives: writer
You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry
01 Monday Sep 2014
Posted in News
Tags
anger, angry, author, emotions, Hulk, psychology, Science, science news, Stephanie Beavers, The Hulk, writer
Did you know this stuff about anger? I was fascinated.
The universal ‘anger face’: Each element makes you look physically stronger and more formidable
Apparently, the expression you make when you’re angry is universal. The same muscles act in the same way for everyone. Scientists have labeled this expression as a threat display. The reasoning is thus: those who are physically strong get their way more often, and your angry face changes the appearance of your face to imitate (or exaggerate) those facial features that we associate with those who are physically strong. So your angry face isn’t just scary because it means you’re angry, it also makes you more physically imposing.
GRRR!
Anger makes people want things more
So scientists conducted a study that indicated that anger motivated people to work harder to obtain something than they otherwise would have. After being exposed to subliminal messaging of various faces, people wanted items associated with angry faces more and worked harder for them. Perhaps even more interestingly? People had no idea that anger was behind their motivation.
…I wonder, does this tie into that strange, contrary desire to want something more if you’re told you can’t have it?
What are your thoughts? Know any cool facts about anger?
Art Transforms Reality
28 Thursday Aug 2014
Posted in Fun
Tags
art, author, entertainment, fun, humor, lol, nature, painting, Stephanie Beavers, writer
Qualia: Philosophy and Did I Really Just See That?
25 Monday Aug 2014
Tags
author, color, fun, humanity, Is my red the same as your red, perception, philosophy, qualia, questions, red, Science, Stephanie Beavers, Vsauce, writer
I have a confession. I like philosophy. Especially metaphysics. I actually have a BA in Philosophy (minor in English). I don’t understand why people find it boring. Some of the questions philosophers get to ask are AWESOME. Like the following:
I guess some people might write off questions like this as frivolous, but I find them fascinating. This is the core of human curiosity. Questions like these are what birthed the sciences. Math, physics, chemistry, and most recently, psychology. How can questions like this be frivolous when they brought out every scientific revolution?
So what about you, dear reader? Did you find the video interesting? Why do you think so many people think philosophy is boring?
(In other news, this is my 100th post. Yay!)
Consider Yourself Rolled
21 Thursday Aug 2014
Posted in Fun
Tags
author, entertainment, fun, humor, lol, music, Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley, Rick rolled, Stephanie Beavers, writer
Remember Rick Rolling with Rick Astley’s (terrible or wonderful, pick one) song? These people do:
And for old times’ sake (and let’s face it, it’s already stuck in your head anyways, so what do you have to lose?):
Science Mimics Life and Awe Creates Art
18 Monday Aug 2014
Posted in News
Tags
author, brain, chip, helicoptors, hummingbirds, ibm, life, nature, News, Science, science fiction, science news, Stephanie Beavers, technology, writer
Hummingbirds Are More Efficient Than Helicopters When It Comes To Hovering
IBM Reveals Incredible New Brain-Inspired Chip
I recommend reading both these articles (they’re cool) but the titles really convey all you need to know for this blog entry.
To me, articles like these are reminders to stop and reflect on how amazing life is. Life itself is a miracle. We exist in such beautiful, wonderful complexity, and we only barely understand the physical aspects of our existence, nevermind the spiritual aspects. This fills me with awe.
Sometimes it seems like scientists (at least as represented in pop culture) are too confident that we know all there is to know, or that humans know and can do better than nature. But really? It’s reassuring to see scientists looking to the world around us and realizing that there is still so much to learn. Even looking at the tiny, beautiful hummingbird, so fragile, yet so powerful, can teach us how to better build machines that can fly us around the world. Looking at the human brain can allow us to improve upon machines that can calculate equations no human brain could process without aids (if only a writing instrument and surface).
Sometimes people ask writers where they came up with their ideas. Especially in fantasy, given how departed it can be from reality. And one part of the answer… I think is awe. When I witness something and am filled with awe, I am inspired. I don’t know that art can be created without awe.
So what do you think? Do you think art comes from awe? Or do you think humanity can improve upon nature? Let me know in the comments, or share any other thoughts you might have.
The Running Of The Goats, And, Er, Ducks
14 Thursday Aug 2014
Posted in Fun
Updates on life and everything
11 Monday Aug 2014
Posted in Life
Tags
author, cotton candy, doctor, editing, life, Patrick Stewart, self publishing, singing, Stephanie Beavers, update, voice, writer, writing
So, time for a non news/science/etc related post! As always, life gets crazy, and mine is no exception. But I’ve got good news!
The edits for my novel have been going VERY well! Huge improvements have been made to the story (in my opinion) and while I loved it before, I love it even more now. Soon I’ll be commissioning a book cover (and of course I’ll post a preview here once I get it!) just as soon as I get the back description polished (which is also coming along).
In other news, I may have discovered why my throat has been so wrecked! It’s been bothering me for a long time, but I hadn’t been having much success figuring it out with my GP. I used to sing all the time (and I was good!) but it has gotten so bad I can barely sing one song without my throat acting up and forcing me to stop (usually with coughing/choking). But I finally got in with a specialist, and we have a working theory! It was a little absurd (almost to the point of humor) when the doctor handed me a pamphlet with my EXACT symptoms outlined in it when my regular doctor and I had been trying so many other things so unsuccessfully for so long. But hope has returned, and I shall sing again!
In other news, last Saturday marked my one year anniversary on WordPress! That doesn’t mark when I started blogging regularly, but still, it’s quite the landmark for me. Blogging doesn’t come naturally to me, and I’m proud that I’ve at least been able to stick with it.
Despite the end of summer too swiftly approaching, there are some things I’m looking forward to… like Doctor Who! Maybe it’s silly to get worked up about a show like that, but I’m really looking forward to the new Doctor and a new season.
To amuse you, here’s Patrick Stewart with a cotton candy mustache:
SCIENCE! (And unicorns)
07 Thursday Aug 2014
Tags
author, fantasy, humor, lab safety, lol, Science, science fiction, Stephanie Beavers, superpowers, unicorns, writer
SCIENCE!
Teleportation, preferably.
SPRAY CAKE
04 Monday Aug 2014
Posted in Fun
Tags
author, baking, cake, food, fun, Harvard Innovation Challenge, life, News, Spray Cake, Stephanie Beavers, writer
It’s coming.
It will be beautiful.
It’s… SPRAY CAKE!
Spray batter into pan. Microwave. Eat!
Strangely, these students are the first people to think of cake batter in a can. Seriously people? We didn’t come up with this sooner? We should all be ashamed of ourselves.
These Harvard students had a final project to do, and they ended up winning top prize for the Harvard Innovation Challenge with Spray Cake.
Needless to say, this lazy lady is super excited for this product to hit the market. I mean, I’ve tried Cake In A Cup before (I tried Googling it, but I couldn’t find the recipe I used to use) but it still takes all the conventional ingredients and time to make. Spray Cake? Bring it.
No seriously, bring it to my house, I want to eat it.
Stephanie Beavers 