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NEWS RELEASE
December 11, 2009                                                  Contact: Erica Jesberger, 544-4916

Delta High School freshman will see how math concepts learned in the classroom apply to real-world situations with a hands-on lesson from Columbia Basin College’s Engineering Technology students on Tuesday, December 15.

CBC Associate Professor Paige Wyatt and her sophomore students will set up total stations and assist the Delta High students in learning how to use the surveying equipment to read angles. The Delta High freshmen will take the data back to their math class, taught by Linda Estes, to see if it adds up.

The activity will be done with all five math classes running between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., at or near the Delta campus in Richland. For more information, please call Delta High School at 544-8355.

The year 2009 is tracking to go down as the worst year for truck sales in nearly three decades. Based on year-to-date figures, we estimate that 2009 class-8 truck sales will come in below 95,000 units. Although the industry sold a mere 99,000 trucks during 1991, one must go back to the waning days of stagflation–1983–when sales were a mere 82,000, to eclipse today’s anemic levels. By all reasonable metrics, truck sales have been stuck in low gear, with substantial headwinds coming from the broader economic slowdown.

As the year–and the economic carnage–recede from view, our gaze turns forward. As grim as the scene in the rear-view mirror is, we think these depressed sales levels are not sustainable, and are spring-loaded for a rebound. Here, we’ll explore what the future should hold for truck sales, and highlight ways we think investors could ride the express lane to profits.

Because of its end markets, the truck industry is stubbornly prone to the vicissitudes of the economic cycle. More recently, the trucking industry bore witness to a massive expansion in both housing starts and auto sales. From 2001 through 2006, housing starts averaged 1.8 million, up nearly 20% from its historical average of 1.5 million from 1959 through 2000, according to the United States Census Bureau. In addition, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports that U.S. light vehicle sales averaged 16.8 million units annually from 2001-2006, up nearly 20% from the 14.1 million average annual units between 1976 and 2000.

We believe trucking plays a substantial role in shipping autos and housing goods. During 2002, trucks carried roughly 45% of all car-related products, and 70% of all housing-related products, according to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics. Little wonder, then, that the boom in these industries fueled significant opportunities in trucking.

Armed with these strong market signals, and concerned about the reduction in fuel economy from what were then newly-introduced 2007 engines, truckers over-purchased class-8 trucks during the middle part of the decade. Class-8 trucks have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 33,000 pounds. The industry purchased an average of 250,000 trucks per year between 2004 and 2006, significantly higher than the average of 167,000 units annually since 1990.

Shortly after this surge, housing starts started to turn south, and car sales began to falter. What resulted was a massive glut of industry overcapacity. Participant demand began to collapse. Over the following two years, truck sales fell to an average of 126,000 units and, as stated above, we project an anemic 95,000 units for 2009. Interestingly, the trend of truck sales acting as a leading indicator (with an 11-month lead time) going into a recession carries some merit, as trucking industry leadership noted back in 2006 that it was, at that time, already in a freight recession. In contrast, the official overall U.S. recession took hold in December 2007. Using the BEA’s data on heavy-duty truck sales–trucks with a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds–we tracked the predictive power dating back to the data’s inception in 1967.

The above table shows that truck sales began to decline nearly 10 months on average before the economy entered a recession. What’s striking about the current recession is the sharpness of the decline in sales from the peak. The industry has never experienced such a drastic collapse, even if we count the double-dip recession of 1980 and 1981 as one massive downturn. Based on the magnitude of this decline, we ask what the future will hold for the trucking industry.

The Threat of Substitutes
Before delving into our truck forecasts and the implications they could have on our coverage list, we must first address the potential that the trucking industry is in a persistent state of diminishing economic importance.

The above chart depicts the value of goods transported by mode. Over the years, the railroad industry has increased its prominence in shipping goods, but trucks have remained the dominant choice. Although intermodal is the fastest-growing method–trains are roughly four times as efficient as trucks based on weight per ton-mile–the government estimates that trucks will still carry the majority of goods in the future. Part of the reason deals with the geographic limitations of rail. Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that there are 95,000 miles of class 1 railroad track nationally, versus 4 million miles of highways. Since rails face numerous obstacles obtaining right-of-way and deal with significant capital outlays, we believe there will always be a demand for trucks. Furthermore, trucks are the more efficient method of transportation for short-haul routes, despite the operational improvements from the railroads.

Future Truck Forecast
Given our more sanguine outlook for the trucking industry, we project that class-8 truck sales could explode over the next few years. That said, the massive prebuy of trucks prior to 2007 likely created a substantial amount of excess inventory within the industry. In fact, we’ve heard stories of companies shrink-wrapping tractors to preserve them for future use, which corroborates our suspicion.

We’ve calculated the above excess inventory based on the 13-year median truck sales of roughly 179,000 units per year. Because 2004 was the first year the excessive purchasing began, we used this year as our starting point. As such, we estimate that we will finish 2009 with approximately 48,000 units of excess capacity. Since freight tonnage has been significantly depressed, we believe that most trucks are operationally younger due to underutilization, as measured by mileage rather than by physical age.

Still, assuming normal replacement demand occurs, we expect truck sales will explode over the next two years, increasing on average by approximately 40% per year. The 2010 models will carry price tags that are, on average, $8,000 (or approximately 10%) higher compared with last year. However, because these newer engines boast improved fuel efficiency, we think buyers will be inclined to pay the higher price up front if it means significant fuel cost savings later. In addition, we think trucks enjoy relatively inelastic long-run demand, so any reduction in demand should be short term. Overall, we believe current production levels in both autos and housing aren’t sustainable, which is the basis for our bullish forecast. For autos, 2009 will likely see production of about 8.6 million units, with sales of approximately 10 million units this year. However, normalized demand is likely to come in between 12.5 and 15 million units. Given the relatively advanced average age of the existing fleet, future years will likely witness a significant uptick in both sales and production. Similarly, housing will mark its third consecutive year of under-producing normalized demand (between 1.5 and 1.8 million sales), which should serve as another catalyst for improved trucking sales.

Read truck manufacturer stock picks at Morningstar.com.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Here’s What Happened To The American Farmer
• US Manufacturing Employees More Productive Than Ever
• Boeing Workers Vote To Disband Union (BA)

We’ve been scratching our heads at the various claims from the movie industry that piracy is destroying the industry — especially as the trends over the past few years have been significantly more movies being made and significantly more money being made at the box office. And, once again, reports are coming out that 2009 will be another record year at the box office. And it’s even more impressive, considering that the country has been in a pretty bleak recession the whole year. You would think that such things, including greater than 10% unemployment would get people to hold back on increasingly expensive nights out at the movies, but people are still going and still paying. So, again, we have to ask where is this evidence that piracy is destroying Hollywood? Or is the same “evidence” like the study we recently saw that came with the headline that Redbox was going to take away revenue, while the actual study said the opposite?

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Happy Hanukkah from Blisstree pets! Hanukkah begins today and goes until December 18th. Over the course of the next eight nights, ceremonial candles are lit on a menorah in Jewish households worldwide.

Menorahs can be found in many different styles and for pretty much any taste. For animal lovers specifically, I found this cute little handpainted ceramic dog menorah at Amazon.com, and it comes complete with the eight spots for the eight candles, as well as the ninth in the middle to hold the shamash, or auxiliary, candle. The base is also decorated with little paw prints.

Cat lovers aren’t left out, though, as I also found a really cute cat menorah. It’s also handpainted ceramic, and has the standard eight candle holders as well as a spot for the shamash, and its base is decorated with orange and pink mice.

Both are available at Amazon for under $30 each (plus shipping and handling, of course), and though it’s a bit late for this year’s Hanukkah, they’d make a great addition to a collection or the perfect gift for the pet lover in your life next year!

[images: amazon.com]

Post from: Blisstree

Hanukkah Menorahs for Cat and Dog Lovers

Lentil soup is a hearty, delicious staple that will keep you healthy and warm through the winter. Adding tomatoes makes it even more nutritious and hearty.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups uncooked lentils
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
2 yellow onions, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped celery
3 cups vegetable broth
3 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
parsley, chopped (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
In a large pot, heat the olive oil and add the garlic, onions, green pepper, and celery.

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until garlic and onions begin to brown.

Add the vegetable broth, lentils, turmeric, and tomatoes.

Bring to a boil then turn down the heat to a simmer and cover.

Cook for about 40 minutes or until lentils are tender. Add some water or more vegetable broth if the soup is too thick.

Add salt and pepper to taste, cayenne pepper if you’d like a spicy soup, and sprinkle parsley over the top if desired.

Makes about 8 servings.

Dried lentils can be stored indefinitely but for best flavor they should be used within a year.

For best results, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place.

Cooked lentils will stay good for about a week in the refrigerator if kept in a covered container.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Unemployment Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine, and Harper College has a healthy dose ready to ease the unemployment blues. The College’s December edition of its popular “Career Stimulus” career-boosting support group will feature a Second City graduate as the keynote speaker – a comedic program aimed at putting a more lighthearted spin on the economic downturn and its ongoing side effects. Richard Oberbruner, a career coach for workNet DuPage who jokingly lists a B.S. in Sarcasm from Hard Knocks University among his credentials, titles his presentation “Lighten Up – It’s Only Unemployment,” with a guarantee of injecting a little laughter into a typically disheartening topic. The event also will include appetizers, dessert and musical entertainment. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Friday, December 18 in the Wojcik Conference Center on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. All are welcome. “We’ve tackled a lot of tough topics in the course of this program so far, and we thought laughter would be the perfect approach to round out the year,” Adult Learning Special Assistant Nancy Wajler says. “Many of our participants have been pushing through the unemployment dilemma for months, and have been so focused on networking, interviewing and updating their resumes that they deserve a humor break.” The event still will include the usual Career Stimulus breakout discussions, focusing on an array of job hunt-related topics. Harper’s Career Stimulus program, launched this year to provide the post-layoff help that many workers needed, features a monthly menu of information on everything from acing interviews to managing stress amid hard times, as well as “NetWorthing” groups focused on actually making networking work in a career transition. The sessions have drawn hundreds, some of whom have reported back that it helped them find jobs. Career Stimulus is free for first-timers. Subsequent sessions are $10. Memberships also are available for $85; they include a year of meetings, free one-on-one sessions with Harper’s career coach, free workshops, and materials for and admission to an intensive NetWorthing session. For more information and other upcoming dates, visit www.harpercollege.edu. Or, call 847.925.6438.

Media Note: Some previous Career Stimulus attendees have successfully landed jobs. Others simply have left prepared to energize their job hunt in a rough-and-tumble economy. Previous participants are available for interviews. Nancy Wajler also is available for comment on the success rate of today’s job club programs and why they work – or don’t. To book interviews, contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Honored Student

Two years ago, Alaine Garcia was doing well at her job and earning a good living. But she knew she still needed something more. Garcia’s journey took her to Harper College, where she’s since earned a certificate in Electronic Maintenance, worked as editor in chief of the student newspaper and served the campus on the Student Senate and as the elected student representative to the College’s Board of Trustees. Her efforts have earned Garcia, 34, a 2009 Winning Women Award from Congresswoman Melissa Bean – an honor that lauds outstanding women for leadership, vision and commitment in the 8^th Congressional District, which serves Chicago’s northern suburbs. “It was a great honor to be nominated by Harper’s faculty and to be selected by the committee,” says Garcia, whose on-campus involvement also has included a stint on the Campus Activities Board and membership in Phi Theta Kappa and Latinos Unidos. “My entire Harper journey has been an amazing experience. I’ve learned to find my strengths and inspire others to act from their hearts.” Garcia, who earned money for college years earlier by serving inner-city Chicago Public Schools children through an AmeriCorps program, said she’d never found the time for higher education in the past, but knew that finishing college was crucial. She’s now working on earning a welding certification at Harper. Winning Bean’s award, she says, “tells me that I’m on the right path.” The Winning Women Awards Program was created by Bean to honor outstanding 8^th Congressional District women who tirelessly work to improve their community, better the lives of others or expand the scope and mission for an organization they serve. Numerous community services, professional organizations and local colleges are contacted annually to nominate an exceptional woman who should be considered for the recognition. A full list of Winning Women for 2009 can be found at www.melissabean.com.

Media Note: A picture of Alaine Garcia is available. Contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159 or [email protected].

Arts Celebration

Students and instructors from a variety of Harper College arts classes – from improv to fencing – will take the stage on Wednesday, December 16 for a free celebratory end-of-semester variety show. The performers, who include actors, jazz ensembles and a banjo instructor, all are part of Harper’s Continuing Education department, which offers an eclectic blend of non-credit courses for community members of all ages. The show, in its second year, also will feature a speech monologue, piano performances, comedy, an onstage fencing demonstration and a slideshow presentation of visual artwork produced during fall Continuing Education courses. Calligraphy students also will be available to create handmade bookmarks for audience members. “This event showcases a sampling of the kinds of learning opportunities that Harper Continuing Education offers,” Continuing Education Manager Scott Cashman says. “It also allows our hardworking students and instructors to show off the product of all their hard work, and, at the same time, offers the community a free evening of great entertainment.” The Continuing Education Celebration of the Arts runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 16 in the Building J Theatre on the main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. The free event is open to the public and no advance registration is necessary. Harper’s Continuing Education department provides a variety of classes in music, foreign language, computers, career training and more every semester. Certifications in a wide range of subjects, including event planning, sustainable living and office administration, also are available through the department and open to all. Visit www.harpercollege.edu or call 847.925.6300 for a course schedule or for more information or to enroll.

Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Small Business Help

Planning for a potential disaster that might not even happen isn’t typically at the top of a small business’ priority list – but “a disaster can put you out of business faster than any recession,” warns Bonnie Richter, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College. With an eye on the potential risks facing businesses that are ill-prepared, Harper is hosting a series of free “Survive and Thrive” workshops aimed at teaching owners, managers and entrepreneurs how to assess the likelihood of disasters, determine the potential impact and lessen the negative effects. The next workshop is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 20 in the Small Business Development Center Office at the Harper Professional Center, 650 E. Higgins Road in Schaumburg. The College also is offering one-on-one disaster preparedness advising for entrepreneurs seeking help through Harper’s Small Business Development Center. “Most small business owners don’t want to deal with this, and most small businesses don’t have a plan in place,” Richter says. “We really want them to have one – particularly as winter, and the threat of storms, again approaches – and we’re here to help them in that capacity.” Business owners need to know, she says, what they’ll do if they lose power, how they’ll get in touch with employees in the case of an emergency, and where they’ll operate from if their office is unavailable. Statistics show that one-quarter of businesses that close because of a disaster never reopen, and 80 percent of those that don’t recover within a month are likely to out of business. Harper’s disaster preparedness workshops and advising are being funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. To register for the workshop, call 847.925.6520 or send an email to [email protected]. Space is limited. For an advising appointment, call 847.925.6520.

Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Animal Food Drive

As part of her work to help the homeless this holiday season, Jennifer Pitek again is asking for donations of canned food –  and collars, leashes and chew toys. The beneficiaries of her annual Harper College-based effort, dubbed “Santa Claus for Paws,” are the four-legged residents of Illinois animal shelters, and gifts like those help keep them going. With many shelters strapped for cash amid the downturned economy, Pitek, an administrative secretary in Harper’s Center for New Students, says this year’s donations are even more important. “Because of the recession, shelters are finding themselves really in need of basic supplies,” Pitek says. Reports indicate increasing numbers of former homeowners are leaving animals behind as their homes go into foreclosure and money gets tight, putting added pressure on shelters. In addition, fewer families are adopting shelter pets. Pitek has been heading up Harper’s cats and dogs food drive for seven years, inspired after seeing donations from Harper faculty and staff pile up during routine campus drives for the homeless. “I’m an animal lover,” she says, “and I had an understanding of the needs the shelters face.” The effort has yielded good results in previous years, with Harper employees, students and community members stepping up to donate everything from grooming supplies and cat beds to monetary gifts in memory of a beloved pet. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, December 23, and again after Harper’s campus reopens on Monday, January 4. Needed items include dry and canned foods for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies; dog and cat toys; towels and bedding; biscuits and treats; and leashes and collars. Pet supply store gift cards also are welcome. Donation drop boxes are at the Center for New Students, Room C104 in Building C; the Building A main entrance; the Liberal Arts Office in Building L; the first floor of the Library, Building L; the first floor of Building H; the Math Lab, Room D105 in Building D; and the first floor of Building X in the Avanté Center. All buildings are on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine.

Press Contacts: Jennifer Pitek, Administrative Assistant, 847.925.6314, [email protected];  Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Audi, Ferrari

When we saw Henry Rollins speak a few ten years ago, he told a story about a fan who wrote to him with a peculiar problem. Seems the guy is a paramedic and one night they come upon a car crash where a beautiful naked woman is lying on the ground unconscious. They spring into action, get her in the back of the ambulance and begin emergency resuscitation. Now, the guy is alone in the back of the ambulance with the woman, and he can’t get over how hauntingly beautiful she is.

And she’s not responding. All her vitals were failing and he knows she’s not going to make it. As she expires, the paramedic, who had suddenly and quickly developed feelings for her, kisses her on the lips. By the time they reach the hospital, the woman is dead. Trouble is, the paramedic is now completely in love with her. So much so he can’t sleep, he can’t eat and he’s having trouble working.

Rollins said his first reaction was to write back, “YOU SICK $@#!!! GO KILL YOURSELF!” But no, the paramedic’s obviously in pain and obviously needs his help. So he thinks about it for awhile and attempts to seek out helpful advice. That night at some awards ceremony he runs into none other than Tom Waits and figures if anyone has some words of wisdom for the poor, lovestruck — but slightly demented — paramedic it would be Waits.

Rollins tells him the story and Tom’s eyes light up. “You tell him she’s haunting him from the grave,” Waits says in his gravely trademark baritone. “Tell him she did the same thing to me!” Now a couple of you might be wondering what on earth this story has to do with anything, let alone cars. It doesn’t. But it’s a fitting accompaniment to the three minutes of randomness in the video after the jump. So if you’re into Furries, Ferraris, Audis, fat guys and sexy ladies, have we got a clip for you. Tip of the Panda head piece to Jesse Y!

[Source: Midway Car Rental]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ferrari California + Audi R8 + hot girls + bear suits = best rental car video ever

VIDEO: Ferrari California + Audi R8 + hot girls + bear suits = best rental car video ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re like most consumers in the market for a used car, your needs are probably best served by eBay, AutoTrader, or your local Craigslist. If you are like 99% of automotive enthusiasts, however, your pursuit for that perfect diamond in the rough exists in perpetuity. You can easily squander 5+ hours at work tirelessly refreshing your browser in the vain hope that the pristine Volvo 850R you’ve spent the better part of your adult life pursuing will magically appear for thousands less than its Blue Book value. If such is the case, then the chances are good that you’ve also experienced significant frustration at the hands of Craigslist’s rather limiting search parameters. Although you probably could if you neglected your job, family, and personal hygiene for days on end, it’s realistically impossible to search every Craigslist in every state in every city in the continental U.S. (though you’ve certainly tried). Fortunately, I’ve found a way: searchtempest.com. Not only will SearchTempest.com allow you to expand your search radius to include any location within your current zip code, it also throws in all the relevant eBay listings as a bonus.

In the event that the skeptic in you is wondering: no, neither SearchTempest nor any marketing company related to it coerced me into or compensated me for the production of this post. I’m just an obsessive car collector that spends more time than I should virtually car shopping, trying to convince myself that an ‘86 L7 that’s probably riddled with electrical problems is a great investment.

(Hat tip to Caio Campos for exacerbating the illness)

The Greek economy is the thread hanging off of Europe’s sweater, and if it gets pulled, the entire Eurozone could unravel.

But do you understand what’s going on?

RBS has produced an excellent Q&A to get you up to speed.

RBS: EU authorities and/or the ECB are only days away from making comments to help stabilise EGB debt markets if events threaten a disorderly contagion and a possible flight by foreign investors in Euro paper. Greece does not have a sudden stop risk for funding but we are concerned by the impact of repo collateral for Greek bank funding. The concern regarding debt dynamics will continue to plague GGB valuations for several years. We expect a series of rolling crises.

So how do you fix the situation? Let’s find out.

Click here to view the Q&A >>>

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Stratfor: It’s Not Just Greece; Other Eurozone Countries Are Teetering On The Brink
• RBS: Relax, Greece Will Be Fine, And The World Is Recovering Nicely
• The 10 Countries Most Likely To Default

Filed under: Ford, GM, Humor

Word has it that Ford CEO Alan Mulally and the new interim CEO of General Motors, Ed Whitacre, had a phone conversation this week. This type of across-the-aisle conversation is not unusual, as Mulally himself placed a call to each of his competitors when he arrived in D-town from Boeing three years ago.

We weren’t on the call ourselves and neither CEO has divulged any details of their conversation, so we’re left to just guess at what was said. Considering Mulally’s success at Ford so far and the quagmire into which Whitacre is stepping at GM, we think it may have went something like this.

Whitacre: Hi Alan, nice to finally talk. I feel like you and I have something in common, being that we both come from companies outside the auto industry.

Mulally: I’m a busy guy, do we have to do this every time General Motors fires a CEO?

Whitacre: I’m very excited about taking GM forward into a bright future.

Mullally: The only thing bright around here is the glare off our Motor Trend Car of the Year award. You might want to draw a shade. Fusion FTW!

Whitacre: Congratulations on that. We’re hoping to have a good showing for SUV of the Year.

Mulally: Good luck, I’m sure the Chevy Terrain SRX will do great. Lincoln MKT FTW!

Whitacre: Anyway, congrats on all your success at Ford and I look forward to working together on our shared interests.

Mulally: Just have the next CEO send me an email. The address is [email protected].

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req. | Source Image: Bill Pugliano, Getty]

Mulally and Whitacre gab on phone, what was said? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the federal reserve’s dollar ‘printing press’ keeps churning, all the excess dollars still aren’t ending up in stocks.

Latest data from the Investment Company Institute shows that long term mutual fund flows for stocks were negative $9.8 billion during the last four weeks ending December 2nd.

Thus while the U.S. stock markets treaded water in November, mutual fund investors were heading for the exits, as their sentiment toward stocks remains weak. Just as it’s been since August.

What are average investors in love with? Bonds. If excess dollars are supporting any market, it will have to be this one. $36.8 billion of new mutual fund money entered bonds just recently, which is a continuation of the massive bond-buying trend that started in January.

Even though bonds generally command higher quantities of investment funds than stocks all else being equal, the negative vs. positive flows shown in the chart below make it pretty clear where the current
market consensus lies. The average mutual fund investor remains scared of stocks and fond of bonds.

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The audiobook reviewed here is ‘Language, Music and Laughter in Evolutionary Perspective’ by R Dunbar. This was contained in an earlier MIT book but has been republished in audibook format. The audiobook is relatively short at 42 minutes but within this space Dunbar details his theory of the evolution of language, laughter and music. The narrator Simon Vanoe speaks clearly, slowly and conveys the efficient rationalism of the author’s work. Dunbar’s writing is logical and reminded me somewhat of a Sherlock Holmes novel in which the reader is led inexorably to the conclusion. In this case, the conclusion is that language, music and laughter in humans have in combination taken the place of the grooming that is seen in other non-human primates. Dunbar firstly hypothesises that grooming is an affiliative social interaction resulting in the release of opioids and oxytocin which are responsible for the social bonding with which they are associated.

Grooming in Diana Monkeys

He then argues that as the group size increases, so does the percentage of time that spent in grooming. As humans typically have a group size of 150 people who are known well, he performs a calculation using data from primates and predicts that the time spent on maintaining such group sizes using grooming would significantly take away from other essential activities. Dunbar’s solution is elegant and simple. He suggests, citing the relevant evidence, that language originated not in the gradual development of gestures as some have suggested (see review here) but instead in the use of language to replace grooming with a more efficient activity for maintaining social bonds. He argues that this didn’t develop suddenly but was preceded by communal music which is interesting in relation to recent studies (see news articles here). However he then argues that the mechanism for inducing the release of oxytocin or opioids needs to be identified. Of the two candidates, smiling and laughter, he excludes smiling on the basis that in Chimpanzees this is associated with submission. Instead it is laughter that is associated with play in chimpanzees and he provides indirect evidence that in humans this is associated with the release of endogenous opioids. Here his observations are profound and he cites research in which it was found that time engaged in conversation in people is correlated  with the number of laughs after taking into consideration the topic of discussion. He also notes that laughter is contagious. There are many more subtle steps in the arguments but Dunbar’s hypothesis is an important one and is testable.

In conclusion, although relatively short, this audiobook present a fascinating hypothesis for the origins of language, music and laughter which is both well argued and clearly presented.

References

Dunbar R. Language, Music and Laughter in Evolutionary Perspective. Narrated by Simon Vanoe. University Press Audiobooks. 2007.

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You can follow ‘The Amazing World of Psychiatry’ Twitter by clicking on this link

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You can listen to this post on Odiogo by clicking on this link (there may be a small delay between publishing of the blog article and the availability of the podcast).

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If you have any comments, you can leave them below or alternatively e-mail [email protected]

Disclaimer

The comments made here represent the opinions of the author and do not represent the profession or any body/organisation. The comments made here are not meant as a source of medical advice and those seeking medical advice are advised to consult with their own doctor. The author is not responsible for the contents of any external sites that are linked to in this blog.

It’s not uncommon for people unfamiliar with patents, copyrights and trademarks to confuse the three — and we see it all too often in the press. However, you would think that lawyers would be a bit more careful. Copycense points out a story about how famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer is suing a local radio station for using his trademarked phrase “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” without paying him. The reporter shifts back and forth between copyright and trademark as if they’re the same thing:

Buffer alleges XHNZ 107.5 used his copyrighted catch phrase “Let’s get ready to rumble” without his permission.

The phrase is everywhere, from boxing to hockey and even video games and auto racing. And if you’re using it without permission, you’d better be careful because it’s trademarked.

Now, hopefully this is just an innocent mistake by the reporter who assumes (incorrectly) that trademarks and copyrights are the same thing, but even Buffer’s own lawyer seems confused about it:

“It could be fairly substantial,” [Buffer’s El Paso-based attorney Mark] Walker said. “Copyright laws are well-known and it’s important for people to know and understand what they are and seek advice if they have any questions about it.”

Of course, if they’re seeking advice about copyright laws, it shouldn’t be over a trademarked phrase. Buffer insists that Walker is “a great lawyer” who “knows exactly what to do,” and perhaps that’s true, but it seems like he should get the basics of copyright and trademark law straight. Last year, we wrote up a quick explanation of the difference, and the new site Core Copyright, recently had its own, much more detailed explanation on the difference as well.

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Elliott Wave International CEO Robert Prechter appeared on Bloomberg earlier today. Here’s what he had to say:

“I think it’s a great time for people who turn bullish in the first quarter to get out of the stock market… we’re now in territory where you need to think about lightening up stocks, even getting short. I think 2010 is going to be a big down year very much like 2008.”

He expects the dollar to go up throughout 2010 with most of the financial markets falling.

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See Also:

• Prechter: Everyone Is Bullish Now, So 2010 Will Be A Year Of Horrible Market Declines
• Prechter: The Dollar Is Going To Surge

Many people wonder if it is necessary to soak lentils before using them. The answer is no.

Unlike other legumes that need to be soaked before use, lentils can be used right away. They cook much faster than other beans and soaking them will make them mushy.

Just place them in a colander, run them under cool water, and they’re ready to use.

Some people like to soak them because it makes them easier to digest and results in less flatulence.

In India, asafoetida powder is added to lentils during cooking to reduce the gassiness of the resulting dish since asafoetida has many other health benefits as well.