What makes you happy? For me: The sun, the ocean, cute animals, musicals, and all things Wicked. But, how do you know you are happy? Glinda asks this of Elphaba at the beginning of “Defying Gravity” in the 2024 movie soundtrack by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Listening to this song produces goosebumps, smiles, and […]
For the last week and a half, I have traveled by plane, by car, by ferry, by kayak, by boat, and by foot, visiting many beautiful locations within the Pacific Northwest in the United States. Whether it is due to my middle-aged brain or the fact that there have just been so many places, I […]
It never ceases to amaze me the lengths people will go to “outsmart” a system – whether it is homework, a test, an insurance claim, a speeding ticket, a secure file, or a survey. Because humans engage in “sub-optimal” behavior (aka careless, insufficient effort, or deception), survey research is especially vulnerable and must guard against […]
Describe your current level of pain using the scale below. Use the scale below to indicate your current level of happiness. Rate your degree of agreement for the following statement using either a 4-, 6-, or 11-point scale of your choosing from strongly disagree to strongly agree. “I lead a purposeful and meaningful life.” From […]
Quests A quest is a journey or mission to some goal, usually fraught with obstacles, twists and turns, and hopefully, some epiphanies along the way. Neil Armstrong. Harry Potter. Indiana Jones. Katniss Everdeen. Merida. Dorothy. Each individual had their individual quests for exploration, peace, facts, freedom, home, or truth, while others, like myself, sought education […]
Does anyone remember how to write a check these days? I imagine some people reading this post might be scratching their heads and wondering what a check is. In today’s world, where paper and hard currency are quickly being replaced with credit cards, and checks are mostly obsolete due to Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal, one […]
I had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting for the Psychonomic Society this year in the beautiful city of San Francisco where the early days of gay rights played out due to the actions and commitment of the courageous Harvey Milk, activist and politician for gay rights. With this context in mind, I experienced […]
Imagine A Paradise Every other year, students join my co-instructor and me on a research-oriented field study down to Roatán, Honduras, in collaboration with the Dolphin Communication Project and its director, Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski. During this field-based research course, students learn about dolphin biology and behavior, the conservation of coral and sea turtles, and the […]
Jules Verne, considered a Father of Science Fiction, pioneered the idea of space travel, along with air and water travel, long before the advent of rocket ships and space shuttles, airplanes, and submarines. Ray Bradbury wrote about electronic devices considered prototypes for Bluetooth and Airpods in Farenheit 451. Neuromancer by William Gibson brings to life […]
Sports have been part of my life since I was a kid, with team sports like basketball, volleyball, and softball being some of my favorites. When I no longer played competitively, I stayed with my favorite sports by refereeing – youth, high school, collegiate, and even a brief foray into professional leagues. And when my […]