Aviophobia

Aviophobia, also called aviatophobia, is the fear of flying or being on an airplane while it is in flight. Because air travel is difficult to avoid, this fear can be crippling both professionally as well as personally. While a significant portion of the population experiences anxiety related to air travel, the fear only becomes aviophobia when it significantly interferes with a person’s ability to travel by air. What are some techniques a person with aviophobia can use to conquer this fear? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Axis Mundi

The axis mundi, or world axis, is a symbolic representation of the point of connection between heaven and earth and offers a means of travel and communication between the two realms. The concept of a central world axis appears in many cultures and takes many forms, both natural and man-made. This connection point can be a high mountain, a plant, an altar, or even a person’s home. Which religious disciplines explore the concept of the human form as world axis? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Age is Just a Number

Jeanne Louise Calment, who died at 122 years and 164 days of age, lived to be the oldest person on record. Though her parents and siblings also lived to an advanced age, she outlived them all. An active woman, Calment continued to ride a bicycle until she was 100 years old and lived independently until she was nearly 110. At 114, she became the world’s oldest actress, appearing as herself in the family film Vincent and Me. Calment attributed her longevity to what food product? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Lucid Dreaming

In a lucid dream, the dreamer is aware that he or she is dreaming while the dream is in progress. During lucid dreams, it is often possible to exert conscious control over characters and environments, as well as to perform otherwise physically impossible feats. Children tend to enter such dream states more easily than adults, but there are techniques one can learn to intentionally induce a lucid dream. Lucid dreaming is sometimes suggested as a remedy for what disorder? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Federal Reserve

The US Federal Reserve was created in response to the Bank Panic of 1907, a financial crisis in the US during which the stock market crashed and the economy entered a recession. “The Fed” is a central banking system and note-issuing authority that regulates the country’s credit and monetary policy. It is comprised of 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks located throughout the US, various member banks, and a supervisory Federal Reserve Board. What are some criticisms of the Federal Reserve System? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Gallstones

The gallbladder is a small sac that stores and concentrates bile, a bitter fluid that aids in the emulsification of fats. In some people, small, pebble-like masses composed chiefly of cholesterol, calcium salts, and bile pigments form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. The presence of gallstones can lead to painful obstruction or infection and is sometimes treated with cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. How does a procedure called lithotripsy break up gallstones? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Grapeshot

Grapeshot is a cluster of small iron balls loaded into a canvas bag and fired from a cannon. When a grapeshot-loaded cannon is fired, the balls disperse at a high velocity, causing devastation similar to that of a scaled-up shotgun. This ammunition was especially effective against infantry massed at close range and was used until the early 19th century, when it was largely replaced by metal-cased canister shot. Which pirate was killed by a blast of grapeshot? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Rhyta

Rhyta are ancient, hornlike drinking vessels that often feature a wide mouth and a pierced, pointed bottom. This design allows a rhyton to function as both a scoop for liquids contained in a larger storage vessel and, when the hole at its base is unstoppered, as a pouring device. Rhyta are often shaped like animal heads or horns and can be simple ceramic constructions or ornate showpieces decorated with precious metals and stones. What animal was frequently depicted on the rhyta of Minoan Crete? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Smokejumpers

Smokejumpers are firefighters who parachute into remote areas to combat forest fires. While smokejumpers save many lives, the inherent risks associated with parachuting into a fire lead many to question the value of the profession. Proponents argue that parachute deployment helps firefighters reach remote areas quickly and with more equipment than other means allow, thus enabling them to begin containing fires at their early stages. Which country employs the largest number of smokejumpers? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Wingsuit Flying

Wingsuit fliers wear a specialized jumpsuit that shapes the human body into an airfoil, a structure whose shape provides lift, propulsion, stability, and directional control over a flying object. Fabric sewn between the legs and under the arms of the wingsuit allows the flier to glide through the air much like a bird, while a separate parachute allows him to land safely. A British stuntman died wing-diving in 2013, just a year after he parachuted into what high-profile event? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary