Technology
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Who killed Superman?
George Reeves began his acting career with small roles in films including Gone with the Wind, Winged Victory, and Blood and Sand. He gained his first lead role as explorer Mike Patton in the 1948 movie Jungle Goddess. In the 1950s, Reeves appeared alongside actors such as Burt Lancaster, Ray Milland, and Marlene Dietrich. He…
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Decision Fatigue
Parole hearings, which take place between judges and prisoners, are typically scheduled throughout the day. Certain prisoners are given the opportunity for parole at different points in their sentences. Studies of parole case histories indicate that the time of day a hearing occurs can influence its outcome—prisoners whose cases are heard earlier in the day…
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William Tell
Legendary tales from Austria and Switzerland describe William Tell as a Swiss folk hero known for his defiance of Austrian rule and his exceptional skill as an archer. According to legend, on November 18, 1307, the Swiss patriot refused to pay homage to a Habsburg dignitary. An agent of the Austrian duke placed a Habsburg…
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Robo Umpire
One of the most controversial topics in Major League Baseball is the impending inclusion of the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), which is almost certain to be used in the near future. The minor leagues began testing a full ABS system in 2021 before it reached the Triple-A level, one step below the majors, in 2022.…
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Is Abduction a Bridge Too Far?
When I was a kid, one of my earliest memories was watching episodes of the TV show The Twilight Zone. One of my favorites was the story of rural general-store owner Somerset Frisby. He would hold court around the central stove and tell tall tales about himself. During one of these sessions, visiting aliens overhear…
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Have you had a Paranormal Experience?
In a 2021 survey of 2,000 Americans aged 21 and over, 63 percent reported believing in paranormal activity. A separate CivicScience survey found that 61 percent of U.S. adults believe in ghosts or spirits, and 64 percent believe in at least one type of paranormal or supernatural phenomenon. These findings suggest that a significant portion…
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The Church and Modern Technology
Between 2000 and 2020, the religious landscape in the United States underwent a significant shift. The percentage of Americans identifying as Christian declined, while the number of people claiming no religious affiliation—the so-called “nones”—rose sharply. Although Christianity remained the largest religious category, the growth of the unaffiliated represented the most notable change during this period.…
Life is not a Spectator Sport 