Fiction or Nonfiction:  Nonfiction

Type:  Body Language

Author:  Roger E. Axtell

Title:  “Gestures: The Do’s and Taboos of Body Language Around the World”

Why:  “Gestures: The Do’s and Taboos of Body Language Around the World” is a great resource for what gestures mean in different cultures and for how to avoid insulting people, accidentally.

Question of the Week #7:

What is the difference between picotechnology and nanotechnology?

Type: Romantic classic

Actors: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert

Director: William Wyler

Writers: Dalton Trumbo, Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton

Title:  “Roman Holiday”

Why:  “Roman Holiday” is like a breath of spring air, pure charm, pure delight, perfect for a dreary winter day.

Factoid #22:

Current and near-future robots can’t think. In spite of calculation speeds that will soon far exceed humans, robots are unable to function without a human managing the controls behind the scenes. Even conversations with these machines must be scripted ahead of time.

Androids are humanoid robots, robots designed to look and behave like humans. Currently, they also have zero intelligence.

Strong artificial intelligence (strong AI, the Holy Grail of robotics) will one day be able to think and to learn like humans. But this technology has proven difficult to achieve. Some scientists estimate it may be decades or even a century or more away.

Question of the Week #6:

We often hear that “power corrupts” and “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. How does power corrupt?

Hint: What role does arrogance play in this process?

Favorite Tip #23:

Instead of scanning the surface, grouping or labeling people, dig deeper. Look for the unique gift–the genius–each individual possesses.

5 Interesting Websites to Explore:

1. Bobby Deen’s website – http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/bobby-deen/index.html

2. Author Margaret Mallory’s website – http://www.margaretmallory.com/

3. Electric Scotland’s website – http://www.electricscotland.com/

4. NEO Program website – http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/neo/

5. Writing instructor CJ Lyons’ website – http://cjlyons.net/

Question of the Week #5:

What is “haptic technology”?

Hint: This future technology involves one of the five senses.

Favorite Tip #22:

This is an oldie-but-goodie. “Whether you expect the best or the worst, you’re right. So, expect the best. It’s more fun.”

Type: Children’s classic (great for adults)

Actors: Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, Richard Egan

Director: David Swift

Writers: Eleanor H. Porter (1913 novel), David Swift (screen)

Title:  “Pollyanna”

Why:  “Pollyanna” is a truly heartwarming film that shows different types of love between folks and the impact each can have on their loved ones.