6 May 2010: Afternoon By The Morning News — 06 May 2010 This is the year British politics went presidential. How televised debates and X-Factor played into the election. A short history of Britain's Loony Party, which, nearing its third decade, has seen a surge of applicants. Maternal favoritism, though possibly a cultural development, affects lifelong psychological health. In Sudan, a daughter can be traded for up to 100 cows--if she's tall enough. Nutritionists, mothers say chocolate- and vanilla-flavored formulas are a gateway to obesity. In-depth discussion of babies' cognition suggests some morals are born, not made. Fake Science: "For when the facts are too confusing." Oatmeal and spinach are particularly stubborn; mashed potatoes have been eliminated as "too easy." Inside the Consumer Reports testing labs. Farmer/food journalist Tom Philpott says class and culture of convenience are vital to the politics of food. The Cook's Illustrated/food52 culinary smackdown begins. Judge's rejection of a brain scan as evidence issues a blow to proponents of lie detector credibility. Discussion of ballet legend Balanchine, and why everything created after his death is meaningless. American Gods is selected as the first title for a worldwide Twitter book club. Roger Waters apologizes for accidentally pasting over an Elliott Smith memorial.
