Grey Matter

Social Suicide

Why do some people commit “social suicide” or post confessions of murders on social media sites?

Several years ago on July 4th, 13-year-old Shane was with his dad at a backyard fireworks show. When it was his turn to load a mortar into the launch tube, it exploded in his face. The impact shattered his forehead, cracked his skull in half and burned most of his brain, said Glenda Lynch, Shanes mother. We had to take him off life support. Since the death of her son, Lynch has been an advocate for fireworks safety. According to the National Safety Council, Independence Day consistently ranks as Americas deadliest holiday. In fact, emergency rooms add staff on this day because so many people hurt themselves. But its not just fireworks that make the holiday so dangerous; its also the heat, drowning, and drunk driving that put people at risk.

The Axeman Murders of New Orleans

New Orleans history is rich with tales of organized crime, corruption, vampires, voodoo, witches, and gruesome bloody murders. One of the most notorious unsolved serial murder cases was that of the Axeman.

#BostonBlizzardChallenge the Latest Social Media Trend

First there was #planking, then the ALS #IceBucketChallenge, now the #BostonBlizzardChallenge?

Marshawn Lynch Doesn’t Have a Social Anxiety Disorder

After spending Media Day on Tuesday repeating that same line, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch caused much more of a frenzy than he could have ever imagined, and he didn’t know why.

10 Bad Things That Are Really Good for You

It seems that every day we are told what not to eat and what not to do because certain things can negatively affect our health.

Are GMOs Safe to Eat?

GMO Free. Non-GMO Project Verified. Made With Non-GMO Ingredients. These phrases are increasingly popping up on consumer food products everywhere, but what do they mean?

Fracking Causes Earthquakes, Birth Defects Say Studies

These days, fracking seems to be wreaking havoc all over the news, not to mention the planet. A recent study found that fracking caused over 70 small earthquakes in Ohio in March 2014, including one that was large enough to be felt in nearby towns.

Emotional Contagion: How Your Mood Is as Infectious as a Virus

Have you ever been around a person in a particularly bad mood, only to realize that at the end of your interaction, you too have become sour? Or maybe you were around a group of giggling children and you found yourself struggling to hold back your own laughter.

More Than Friends

Throughout my life, I have always been around dogs. From my first day home as an infant to today, dogs have always been there.

The Cyberbully

Freedom of speech has turned into freedom to bully and freedom to be cruel to one another. The Internet makes it funny, adults do it, pop culture perpetuates it, and politicians support it.

Louis Zamperini: 10 Incredible Facts About the “Unbroken” Hero

Ive got 110/60, a 60 pulse, 185 cholesterol, said Louis Zamperini in an interview at 86 years old. Im told I have the vitals of a 35-year-old. And with all Ive been through, they thought Id be dead by 55!

California First State to Ban Sterilization of Female Inmates Without Consent

Between 2006 and 2010, at least 148 female prisoners at 2 California facilities were sterilized without required state approval. Even worse, some of the women have claimed that they were pressured, harassed, and even tricked into signing forms agreeing to the sterilizations.