Just a spoonful of ginseng?

John in Georgia asks: How did we find out which natural medicines worked?

Trial and error mostly. Long before animals were used in scientifically controlled lab experiments our ancestors were forced to use other humans to discover if something was good or bad for us. The only way to find out if a particular plant had a curative effect was for the medicine man to persuade the tribe idiot into eating it. If it cured an ailment it was good. If it killed him it wasn’t so good, and duly noted to avoid that plant next time around. Over the centuries thousands of perfectly good village idiots died for the betterment of mankind.

So next time you swallow a herb like catuaba to help “raise the flagpole”, take just a second to salute all  the prior guinea pigs that paved the way to gain this vital knowledge.

Things that go bump in the night?

Ben in Idaho asks: Is it okay to squish unwanted house critters?

If you're accosted by a rabid cockroach, or an Australian Death Adder without provocation then it's perfectly acceptable to do them in, or at the very least throw a stern look of disapproval their way. Allowing them to have the run of the house can only lead to no good, especially if you sense they're just itching to get into your hair.

There are exceptions to this however as sometimes the presence of non-domesticated animals can be beneficial. For instance if a really annoying relative is overdoing their stay you can shoo a venomous spider or scorpion into their bedroom. Some animals will deter other varmints from making your house their home as well. If you're fortunate enough to have a Giant Pacific Octopus inhabit your den then you'll sleep better knowing you'll never have to call the local cockle exterminator. Plus they generally only hunt at night, so you most likely wouldn't even know it's there...except for having to occasionally clean ink stains and crustacean shells out of the carpet. 

Running on empty?

Ronnie in Oklahoma asks: "Why are there so many people running amok?"

To some it's a sign of the end times and the biblical prophecy in the book of Matthew coming to fruition:

"...the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and bodies will be running amok all willy-nilly."

Regardless of one's religious beliefs there's no denying running around aimlessly in a general state of panic is on the rise. Whether it's just a passing fad or not is hard to say, but amok runs are gaining in popularity all across the country, even though there's no official start or finish line, no preset course to follow, and no winner. Anyone confused and disoriented by life can participate in amok running, but it's a good idea to be cleared by a psychologist beforehand just to verify you're not mentally healthy.

Under my skin?

Lin Hô in Louisiana asks: "Can I judge a book by its cover?"

In times past you could always tell exactly what was inside a book simply by looking at the cover, but this is no longer the case. To gain an edge in the very competitive book market many publishers are resorting to sneaky tactics and purposely assigning titillating titles, hoping to increase sales from unsuspecting buyers. Because of this it's best to open a book and thoroughly check the contents before purchasing it. This way you'll avoid the frustration of buying a book titled The Physics of Kama Sutra Positions, only to discover that night in bed that it's actually all about gauge theories in particle physics...and that there's nothing remotely erotic about the illustrations.
If you're asking this question figuratively and referring to judging others by their outward appearance then the same principle applies. It's always a good idea to do a full body search before bringing someone home to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Free Willy?

Fatima in Portugal asks: "Do humans have free will?"


For most of us every decision we make in life is preordained. I like to think that I could have answered this question any way I wanted to, but the harsh reality is I was fated to put down every word written here. A select few do have freedom of choice, but it was predetermined who these individuals are, so we can't do anything about having free will if we're not already one of these fortunate people.

Wascully wabbits?

Harm in Wisconsin asks: "Is hunting immoral?"


It depends on the moral character of the hunter's prey. Just as there are good and bad humans, there are also good and bad animals. If an animal is living a good and moral life then killing it is immoral. In Dante's Divine Comedy the ninth circle of hell was reserved for hunters committing this sin. However if an animal is immoral then shooting it is morally justifiable.
Hunters can detect which animals are immoral by observing their behavior in the wild. For instance, if you spot a deer acting skittish and nervously looking around for hunters with guns then you can be fairly certain that type of paranoid conduct is brought on by a degenerate and immoral lifestyle. Hunters are doing all the well behaved animals victimized by these woodland hooligans a favor by making their forest sanctuary a safer and more peaceful place.

Prosit?

Marsi in Slovenia asks: "Is my glass half empty or half full?"


Surprisingly the answer has little to do with your perspective on the volume of liquid remaining in your glass, and more to do with what kind of liquid is filling half your glass. If it's stinky city tap water or Sierra Mist soda then your glass is definitely half empty, even when it's half full. But if it's a Belgian high gravity beer in a 2.o liter beer boot glass then it's always half full...until you wake up the following morning.

State of bliss?

Harold in South Dakota asks: "Is ignorance bliss?"

No. Ignorant people are actually miserable, they're just not smart enough to know it. Intelligent people are miserable too, the difference being they know they're miserable and understand the reasons why...which usually has something to do with all the ignorant people running around being blissful for no good reason.

Chakra Khan?

Constance in England asks: "How do I know if I have a color aura around me?"


Everyone has an aura. They are formed by the electromagnetic field created by the energy given off from our bodies. To view someones aura you need to relax your eyes and focus on the emptiness in the subject's head. If that doesn't work trying it while stoned usually helps. The color of an aura will depend on the balance and harmony of a person's Chakra, and how much their underwear is riding up at the moment.
Seeing auras can be a valuable guide on whether to engage in conversation or avoid someone. For example, if you're eating lunch with a co-worker and see a green aura around them it means that person is in a growth mode and will have no qualms about stealing your fruited tofu curry salad. If you're a male and you see a hot pink aura around a female's aureoles it means she's sexually aroused, or that it's cold outside (if you act on it you'll find out quickly which of the two it is). If you see a rainbow aura around a person it signifies they are a Reki healer, or gay, or both. If you see any aura filled with floating white specs it means that an angel is close by; or if it's a woman, that she's pregnant, or will soon become impregnated by an angel. If you see brown it can mean that person is very materialistic, or that their personal hygiene practices leave a lot to be desired.




*Check the laws where you live as viewing auras is illegal in some countries.

Say what?

Francis in Iowa asks: "Is the saying, 'There are no dumb questions' true?"


No, and this question is a perfect example of a dumb question. People all across the world ask millions of dumb questions every day. In fact the only thing more common than dumb questions are all the dangerously dumb answers to those questions.