Reading

Explore the list of 25 scariest science experiments, including MK-ULTRA and other controversial studies. via Cheap Talk

David Henderson shares an article arguing against "buying local" because energy spent on transporting food is less significant than other factors. via Econlib

An inquisitive, cynical blogger discusses a New York Times article about economists considering an ethics code, arguing that all professions should be transparent about funding.

via The source of this content is the blog "Under what conditions?".

Originally broadcast by the BBC in 2010, "The Joy of Stats" documentary hosted by Hans Rosling explores the exciting world of statistics and data visualization. via FlowingData

Mind Hacks shares a list of the approximate absolute sensitivities of the five senses, expressed in everyday terms, originally from the book *Contemporary psychophysics* by E. Galanter (1962). via Mind Hacks.

Don't change your worldview based on just one study, cautions researcher Daniel Simons, who emphasizes the evolving nature of scientific findings and the importance of replication. via The Invisible Gorilla

XKCD comic #838, titled "Incident," humorously suggests that Santa Claus monitors who is using the "sudo" command without permission. via xkcd.com

A 1972 book argues that the hippie counterculture was rooted in mental illness and could be treated with medication.

Elizabeth Gumport's essay "In Which We're Up All Night" explores the experience of insomnia.

via Longform

FlowingData shares a video comparing the sizes of stars, starting from our sun and going all the way to VY Canis Majoris.

via FlowingData

A new study showed that patients taking sugar pills knowingly still experienced positive effects compared to a control group.

David Friedman shares a conjecture that behavioral economics could be key to understanding macroeconomics, such as business cycles, even if it doesn't impact microeconomics much.

via Ideas