Our eyes see three primary colors: red, green, and blue. All of the colors we know are blends of those three. Colorblind people are missing one or more of the receptors, severely limiting their color perception. On the other extreme, tetrachromats have four -- an extraordinary mutation found only in certain women. Current research asks if these women’s brains can take advantage of this extra “dimension” of color.

Could a parasite passed to humans from housecats cause schizophrenia and bipolar disorder? There’s some very convincing evidence that schizophrenia is caused by an infectious agent, and E. Fuller Torrey, one of the giants of schizophrenia research, thinks he may know the source.

Yesterday I spent my lunch break painting set pieces at the theater for the Town & Gown Players. The theater’s phone rang, and I had the following conversation:

Me: Town & Gown
Male Voice: Hello, Mr. Players?
Me: Excuse me?
Male Voice: Are you Mr. Players?
Me: Oh! Yes… I’m he.
Male Voice: Hello, Town, I’m Greg and I have a special offer –
Me: Town? Oh, no. That’s my lovely wife. I’m Gown Players. Thanks for calling, but the Players household isn’t in a spending mood today. G’day!

I guess telemarketers see all sorts of strange names, but really… Town & Gown Players?

Cold, dry winter nights bring conditions perfect for listening to far-away AM radio stations. After a late night at the theater the other day, I drove home while listening to a far-right call in talk show from Cincinnati. The female co host discussed how the current election “crisis” was foretold in the bible using the bible code. The male co host advocated, should Gore assume the presidency, and armed revolution in the streets, proclaiming the upcoming fight the “Second Battle of Athens.” Very inflammatory, you betcha. I wondered what he meant by the Battle of Athens. I went through the Greek history I’ve got stored in my head, but couldn’t think of a pivotal pro-democracy battle fought in Athens. It turns out I didn’t have to think so far back, nor so far away. In 1946, in Athens, Tennessee, a corrupt county government was overthrown by force by a group of former GIs, after fighting a bitter political struggle. Even though I taught US History myself, I’d never heard of this event. A successful armed rebellion on US soil? Only 50 years ago? I’m surprised the NRA doesn’t trumpet this battle in its Second Amendment defense.

I’ve been listening to the arguments before the Florida Supreme Court. Gore’s side had the first hour, and the justices were aggressive in their questioning. The justices sounded well prepared and clearly recognized the importance of the case. Gore’s lawyers took the questioning well. Bush’s lawyers are currently wrapping up the second hour, and it sounds like they’re using a script written by Bush himself. They’ve been talking in contradictory circles, and the justices are simply skewering them. The lawyers have stuttered, stammered, hemmed and hawed. Several justices have had to demand that the lawyer answer the question, when dodging yew or no questions. It’s been amazing to listen to. I’m curious to see how the spin machines handle it, and (even though it seems clear) how the court decides.

Work is a bear right now. Coworkers are mighty grumpy. We’ve released some major changes to our software this week, as beta, to a couple long-time customers and a new one half the continent away. I’m striving to keep a handle on things, but it’s a lot to manage. Meanwhile, I’m in a play this week as well.

The AAA (formerly known as the American Automobile Association) is the second largest member organization in the country, behind only the Catholic church. With so many members, you can guess that the club wields a lot of political power, and you’d be right. But did you know that they use that power to lobby for more pollution, more sprawl, and less safe cars? I didn’t either. I’m a lapsed member, and you can bet I won’t re-up any time soon.

The Dictatortots are in concert at Athens’ legendary 40 Watt, and, as usual, the local press is in a tizzy.

The current The Onion is top notch.

An Intemperance witicism:

Maybe you read an earlier entry of mine regarding my inability to navigate [Atlanta]. And I will concede that I don’t have the keenest sense of direction. But even Magellan would get lost here. Of course, he probably would have been smart and just circumnavigated it.