Weekend Reads 3/21/15

Your Brain is Primed To Reach False Conclusions

Using language deliberately filled with jargon and pseudoscientific concepts, the researchers explained that the metal strip could improve physical and intellectual abilities, and the students were invited to test out the product while performing written tasks like solving a maze or number exercise. All the while, the researchers primed the volunteers to find a benefit from the band by raving about how previous users had noticed its alleged properties. By the end of the demonstration, many participants said they’d be willing to buy the magical ferrite strip.

Hertz puts cameras in some of its rental cars, but it never meant to be creepy

Hertz has maintained that the cameras are nothing for customers to fear. Last week, a representative told Fusion that the cameras will eventually be used for customers to video chat with a customer service representative in the event that they get into an accident or have other issues. At that time, the camera would only be turned on by the push of a button from the car driver. But at the moment, that feature is not functional, the company said.

Today In Duh, Science: Yes, Anti-Vaxxers Caused Disneyland Measles Outbreak. Duh. Science.

…the only way to explain how the measles spread from a single person at Disneyland to 145 people in the U.S. and about a dozen others in Canada and Mexico is that a substantial number of parents have not had their children fully immunized with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Banning ‘climate change’ won’t ban the real thing

It turns out that, contrary to what we believed as children, if you ignore a thing, it doesn’t go away. Often times, it simply festers and gets worse. And as guns, condoms and vaginas continue to exist despite GOP silencing, so, too, does the threat to Florida, the country and the planet from rising seas and temperatures.