Viral emotions Aug 7, 2012
On the Media mentioned a study about which internet links are shared the most: 
Yeah, and the number one predictor they found was anger. Anger is the number one predictor of an article making that most popular list. And it's not just anger; it's any high valence emotion. So humor is one. Awe is another. But let's look at the emotions that aren't viral. Those are emotions like sadness or contentment or satisfaction. They're not in the interest of the media creators to propagate.
Here's a NY Times article that talks about it.
Sunglasses tax Aug 7, 2012
I've never been a fan of expensive sunglasses.  And I've even tried the "higher-end" cheap ones, but I've never had any that feel good and don't make me look like an insect.  So I buy $5 plastic sunglasses at Walmart.  But the problem with $5 plastic sunglasses from Walmart is that they routinely shatter right as I'm putting them on my face, usually after about six months of use.  So then I go back to Walmart, select the cheapest sunglasses that don't make me look like an insect, and repeat the process.  I've probably gone through about a dozen pairs of sunglasses in recent years, so it's really become more of a sunglasses tax than an expense.