Donated human tissue May 31, 2011
I was at the airport recently waiting for my luggage at the baggage claim, when I saw a cardboard box on the carousel with a sticker that said, "Donated human tissue not suitable for transplant".  This was puzzling.  Why would someone donate human tissue, presumably an organ or an eyeball, for a reason other than transplanting?  What else would it be for?  Food?  Party trick?  And what would make such human tissue "not suitable" for transplant?  Contagious disease?  Wrong size?  This isn't the kind of problem you want to be solving after spending all day in airports and on planes. 

Turns out some commenters on a website say donated human tissue can be used for research, college demonstrations, and long term storage (i.e. saving umbilical cord cells for future use).  Weird.  And gross.  Puts that "items in overhead bins may shift during takeoff and landing" thing in a whole new light. #health
Causal indifference May 31, 2011
Every time I read/hear about some behavior (coffee, alcohol, breathing) having some effect (dementia, instant death, long life), I react one of two ways: 
  1. If it's negative (e.g. sporadic limb loss, uncontrollable eyeball swelling, horrific death), I say, "Oh well; everybody dies from something."
  2. If it's positive (e.g. x-ray vision, superhuman strength, non-horrific death), I say, "Sweet; another reason to continue doing X."
In conclusion, even if threatened with death, I'd still drink coffee. #psychology
Animal products May 31, 2011
It occurred to me recently that several animal products (not by-products) play a fairly significant role in nature: 
  1. Honey is bee puke.
  2. Dirt is at least partially worm poop.
  3. Sand is at least partially fish poop.
I trust scientists for the honey and dirt knowledge, but I've seen sand formation with my own eyes.  It's quite ... mesmerizing. #nature