Links to Your World, Tuesday, January 31

 New Mexico is getting about an inch wider every 40 years.

 

Two sociologists discovered that as people spend more time on Facebook, they start to believe that others have a better life than they do.

 

This article on the infectious nature of "professional laughers" made me smile--which is sort of the point.

 

"The funeral industry is in the midst of a transition of titanic proportions. America is secularizing at a rapid pace, with almost 25% of the country describing itself as un-church [sic. The phrase is "unchurched"]. Americans, embracing a less religious view of the afterlife, are now asking for a "spiritual" funeral instead of a religious one." Max Rivlin-Nadler for The Awl. He goes on to reference cremation as an example of the secularizing trend in funeral services, which I think is incorrect. Cremation is an increasingly popular choice for environmental considerations and (primarily) because it's cheaper. But the rest of the article was interesting. 

 

According to Google's Ad Preferences, they assume I'm in the 24-34 age range.  I need to do more Google searches for soft yogurt, apparently.

 

Brett Nelson of Forbes is on to something: "I propose a theoretical pre-college regimen called “grownup training.” Specifically: six months spent working in a factory, six in a restaurant, six on a farm and six in the military or performing another public service such as building houses, teaching algebra or changing bedpans....Each offers a window on a critical, if unglamorous, societal function; taken together, the group cuts across all manner of socioeconomic currents: old and young, rich and poor, rural and urban. And beyond the obvious educational and character-building implications for the kids, grownup training would offer broader benefits to society—like cheap, dedicated labor for hospitals, schools and charities."

Don’t Take it From Me - Kathy Keller on why you shouldn’t marry an unbeliever: “Over the course of our ministry, the most common pastoral issue that Tim and I have confronted is probably marriages–either actual or proposed–between Christians and non-Christians. I have often thought how much simpler it would be if I could remove myself from the conversation and invite those already married to unbelievers do the talking to singles who are desperately trying to find a loophole that would allow them to marry someone who does not share their faith.” (HT: Challis)

Here’s a sample of the companies who give out the best, and most unusual, employee perks.

The truth behind the cereal box:

 Previous Posts from "Get Anchored" This Week:

"We Want to See Into the Hearts and Minds of People"

Happy Birthday, Francis Schaeffer

LeaderLines: Leadership Vows for the New Year, Part Four

Review of George W. Bush's "Decision Points"

Review of Bo Giertz's "The Hammer of God"

Toxic Nagging

Winning Ways: What Four?