SYSK Choice: Stop Being So Busy & The Real Fountain of Youth

Creepiness Traits

Mike Carruthers explores what makes a person creepy, a topic often understood intuitively but rarely examined in detail. Research involving over 1300 people reveals that certain professions, like clowns and taxidermists, are almost universally perceived as creepy. Additionally, behaviors such as not making eye contact, asking for personal details, and steering conversations towards sex contribute to this perception 1.

Do most creepy people know that they're creepy? And 60% said no, which means there's an awful lot of creepy people walking around who have no idea how creepy they are.

--- Mike Carruthers

Interestingly, displaying too much or too little emotion and being older can also make someone seem creepy, highlighting the complexity of social interactions 1.

   

Alcohol in Cooking

The common belief that alcohol burns off quickly during cooking is debunked by Mike Carruthers. He explains that it generally takes about three hours of cooking to remove all the alcohol, contrary to the popular notion that a quick simmer is sufficient. This misconception is significant for recovering alcoholics, parents, and those with ethical or religious reasons to avoid alcohol 2.

Many cookbooks say that when cooking a sauce, for example, you simmer it for 20 to 30 seconds to remove the alcohol. But experiments show that it's just impossible, couldn't possibly happen.

--- Mike Carruthers

Understanding this can help cooks make more informed decisions, especially during the holiday season when alcohol is frequently used in recipes 2.