Science
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Why woodpeckers don’t need helmets but we do
While running downhill at full speed, I suddenly felt dizzy – not from exhaustion or lack of oxygen, but from being off balance. I realized it was my head bobbing up and down that was throwing me off. Once I found my bearings, it struck me how difficult it is for the human body to Continue reading
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Does the presence of family improve or impede athlete performance?
Recently, the BCCI, the cricket governance body in India, issued a mandate to the Indian team restricting the presence of family during important tours and events. This comes on the back of some rather shocking results, and it seems like the cricketers’ families are having to pay for it. It is highly unlikely that the Continue reading
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The science and cringe of Baby Talk
While I was out on a walk one day, I noticed a woman talking to her baby in that slow, exaggerated, high-pitched voice we all use while talking to babies. Her exact words were “oh… are you feeling co-o-o-o-o-o-l-d? Oh poor ba-a-a-a-b-y! Mommy is sorry!”. A few minutes later, I observed a man playing with Continue reading
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Why are we so uncomfortable being alone with our thoughts?
As I sat in the darkness unable to sleep, I reached for my phone. I could not bear the internal monologue of my brain, and needed some noise to drown it out. It dawned on me that I would much rather do something that is harmful to my eyes, than be alone with my thoughts. Continue reading
Sheetal Potdar 