Overnight Open Thread - Examination Edition

Whoever told you that there would be no math on the ONT was lying.

Could You Pass Harvard's Entrance Exam From 1869?

Almost certainly not. And I'm betting that even a contemporary Harvard classics major would have a hard time.

Of course a lot of this is due to the fact that high school curricula are vastly different these days and no longer 'classical' in any sense. But still an advanced high schooler ought to be able to pass the math and geometry sections and do semi-decently on the history and geography parts.

You can see the whole exam here.

Students Not So Eager To Redistribute Their GPAs

The College Republicans at the University of California-Merced ask fellow students, who support raising taxes on the rich, if they would be willing to redistribute their GPAs. They don’t think it’s a good idea because they earned their grades.

Political Differences in the Brain

On the other hand, those on the right with conservative tendencies tend to have larger amygdalas, the part of our grey matter involved in the processing and memory of emotional reactions.

...

Research suggests that liberals are better able to cope with conflicting information, while conservatives have a heightened sensitivity to threats.

Dr. Sanity: Bad Economic Thinking - A Hallmark of Progressive Thinking
Here she points out that 'the rich get richer, the poor get poorer' isn't really true when you look at actual people rather than statistics.

Of course, the political lefts and their strategists have a rather vested interest in stirring up class warfare and stoking hatred against "the wealthy". As P.J. O'Rourke wrote in Eat The Rich, "Your money does not cause my poverty. Refusal to believe this is at the bottom of most bad economic thinking."

But that is one thing that the progressive left is incredibly good at--bad economic thinking.

Milestone: Government Cash Handouts Now Exceed Tax Revenue
For the first time since the Depression U.S. households are now getting more in cash handouts from the government than they are paying in taxes. This can't go on forever. And it won't.

Dual-Flavored Slurpees
Genius.

Remember How The Gulf Was Going To Be Destroyed For Centuries By the BP Oil Spill?
Well funny how a year later most of the oil and its effects have disappeared. And the biggest harm to the Gulf economy comes from the Obama drilling permitorium.

Having lived through a couple of these insanely hysterical disaster predictions by the media I've become deeply cynical. Who wants to bet how many centuries before people can move back to Fukushima? I'm guessing about 0.01.

Why She Didn't Call You Back
Maybe the note scrawled in your own blood was too much, or maybe you waited too long:

Waiting more than three days to ask her out again is just plain suicide. She’ll likely think you’re not interested or you’re playing games, and she’ll be over you like last year’s handbag. You might find a woman who will still respond to your advances, but do you really want to go out with a woman who’s that desperate?

Whiskey Samples - Drinks By The Dram
These little samplers let you try out whiskeys you without committing to a whole bottle.

While certainly not free, they allow us to try out whiskey’s we wouldn’t normally be able to shell out the cash for. Even a thimble of some top of the line Ardberg is better than a case of bottom shelf swill and now you can have some. Ranging from $3 up to $130 (good luck explaining that purchase to your wife or girlfriend) each sample is 3cl (30ml) of whiskey on your “To Drink” list.

10 Charts About Sex
Lots of fun charts courtesy of the statisticians at OKCupid. Who knew seniors were so into rough trade?

Love Kittehs And America?
Then this window tinting is for you.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Adds Women-Only Division
Hungry moronettes - this is your moment. Fame and fortune await. USA! USA! USA!

Tonight's post brought to you by seasons:

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posted by Maetenloch at 10:18 PM

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