THOUGHTBOX

So moving.

Citesti corect. Pe multicolorul afis, sustinut de Alianta Familiilor din Romania , scrie mare si lat: "Ti-ai vedea baietelul... homosexual? Ti-ai inchipui fetita...lesbiana? Pe Olari, in capatul strazii, se fac niste chestii..." Acel afis este rezultatul unei intamplari recente in cadrul liceului bilingv George Cosbuc din Bucuresti. Pe scurt, e vorba de un eveniment impotriva discriminarii sexuale, organizat de un numar de cadre didactice, care a avut ca urmare depunerea unor sesizari la Inspectoratul Scolar. Da, este vorba de o sesizare impotriva unui demers absolut civilizat. Ca sa citez scrisoarea de sustinere a demersurilor pro-toleranta, "Promovarea drepturilor omului in scoli este o datorie, nu o abatere disciplinara." Revenind la afisul cu pricina, care reprezinta exercitarea deplina a dreptului la libera exprimare, garantat de Constitutia Romaniei, trebuie sa precizez ca este opus-ul asociatiei sus-mentionate, Alianta Familiilor din Romani...

Pope Benedict XVI recently announced that he will be officially resigning his papacy on the 28th of February 2013, after eight years serving as the chief of Vatican. That's pretty whack considering most of us didn't realize you can resign as pope - essentially giving God your two weeks notice. The reason behind this decision is very grounded, however: Pope Benedict has cited his age and deteriorating mental and physical strength as the main reasons for his decision. That makes Pope Benedict the first pope to leave office while still alive since Pope Gregory XII in 1415! Not only that, this makes Benedict the first pope to voluntarily resign since Pope Celestine V in 1294.  And of course, the Internet happened. Being what it is, the Interwebs has responded in large volumes, not only with empathy or criticism, but also with puns around the popular "eggs Benedict" dish. Personally, I give Pope Benedict XVI my thumbs up for having the balls and c...

We all feel it. We all know it. But what is love really all about - chemically and physically? What we call love comes not from the heart, as is most often depicted, but from the brain. In fact, while you're in love your brain functions in a very similar fashion to people on cocaine. "No, you hang up!" Surprised? You shouldn't be. You see, love is quite literally a drug. When you're in love, your brain orders increased production of Dopamine and Epinephrine, substances that regulate arousal, craving and desire - which is why early stages of romantic relationships are all about obsessing over the other person and having an increased desire to be with your loved one more and more. Your brain also releases Oxytocin, a neuromodulator associated with commitment. Conversely, your Serotonin levels drop dramatically - just like people with OCD. And the result is the same: an obsessive infatuated person. Ah, life's many healthy cycles. Ho...