The definition of what is brave and what is cowardly is a fascinating subject if what is being judged are the observable actions of the individual.  In order to qualify for bravery or cowardice one must be judged by intent–and intent as many know is one of the most difficult to discern truths.  Though many claim to have discernment in these matters that does not in fact prove the validity of their claims about themselves or other individuals.

Take the following example scenario, a man places his head inside that of a large untrained male lion, while many would consider this brave there are alternative scenarios.

1. The man has privileged knowledge from a source that he trust that the lion will not bite down on his head.

2. The man has been forced into this position running from a greater fear, making this an act of cowardice in the face of the other fear and canceling out any degree of bravery that could be attributed to this act.

3. The man is clinically insane.

This holds true for people facing important decisions regarding their future or that of their children.  You may be called brave for branching out and pioneering but only you really know if you’re being brave or not–you could be running in fear from a much smaller threat and cowardly putting you and your loved ones at enormous risk due to cowardice not bravery.

Can forensic science teach us something about how to live a life filled with meaning?  The careful detail devoted to each task, the simple but critical steps that are required leading up to the highly advanced scientific investigation that must be done to solve a problem.  Problems presented range from measuring the distance between earth and a distant star to dissecting the balance sheet of a corrupt investor and even to the solving of violent crimes.

A common defense mechanism innate in all humans to deal with the deluge of questions and decisions that invade every waking moment of our lives is habit.  With habits we are able to set aside our mental resources for the tasks of higher perceived importance.  It’s all about priorities!  Similarly, and despite what you see on shows like the CBS franchise CSI, time and resources are not unlimited and this makes forensic science just as much about prioritization of tasks as it is about the science and high tech gadgets.

Successful investigators, be they astronomers or police detectives, must take the same forensic approach to the task of deciding what to work on, as they do in performing the individual tasks themselves.  As finite humans our resources are limited–to make the most of these resources we must commit with determination to dissect our lives, our habits, our routines with careful detail and exacting tenacity, listening only to our feelings when they highlight a concern supported by the data.

We’ve been told, it’s been hammered into our heads that fruit juice is good for us.  And I actually agree compared to the many other worse things we could put in our bodies fruit juice isn’t all bad.  But it’s certainly not meant of the kind of consumption that has been foisted on us by the same industry that gave us Coke and Pepsi.

As corporate interests chase profits in realizing that an adjacent market to their cash cow products of packaged sugar water is that of bottled water and packaged fruit juice we have seen the advent of Vitamin Water products, “fortified” fruit juice and just about every variation on these products you could imagine.

So what’s this lie I’m talking about?  Fruit juice has been touted as a healthy alternative to soda, but in reality it’s not as different from Coke or Sprite as you might think.  The only thing that makes it any better is the fact that it doesn’t have the secret recipe of chemical additives or caffeine that comes with other prepackaged sweetened water.  Fructose exists in nearly form and nearly the same quantity in 8 oz of soda pop as in 8 oz of non-pulp orange juice.

So drink water and eat fruit–the whole fruit.  Biology, our bodies, and fruit are designed in such a way that drinking large amounts of fruit juice is devastating to your body’s ability to balance blood sugar.

Last year Manchester United won the soccer championship beating Russia in overtime penalty kicks.

This first all-English final in Champions League history became an extension of a season-long battle in England’s Premier League, where United won the title on the season’s final day.  Times Article

It was raining, it was long, and it was an intense game.  When you loose in penalties it can be tough on the team. I’m sure both teams are looking forward to the next championship to either come back as the dark horse or as the defending champion