Harmless meme or data mining?

If you use any kind of social media, by now you've probably seen the "how hard did aging hit you" meme floating around.  People post a photo of themselves back in 2009 (or earlier) next to a current photo.

Last semester, I took an information security class, and since then, I've been more acutely aware of what information I post online.  This article from Wired raised some interesting points.

Conan O'Brien says the years have not been kind to him.

Organ transplants from a surgeon's perspective

I recently came across this interview with Wisconsin transplant surgeon Joshua D. Mezrich. He gives some insight into the organ donation process and discusses his new memoir, When Death Becomes Life.  

If you're in the Madison area, Dr. Mezrich will be at the Middleton Public Library on January 31st to discuss the book and sign copies.

I haven't had a chance to read it myself yet, but it's getting some rave reviews.

Moose on the loose

A moose walks into a hospital lobby...

No, this isn't one of the terrible jokes I'm so fond of.  This actually happened yesterday in Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.  No one was hurt.  The moose sauntered in through a door that was stuck open, grazed on the lobby plants, then headed back out.  I've seen some odd things working in a hospital, but nothing quite like that.

Book sales on the rise

After staring at glowing screens for most of the day, I definitely still appreciate being able to read a physical book.  Turns out I'm not alone in this.  Printed book sales in the US have risen for five years in a row!

Speaking of printed books, I received Smitten Kitchen Every Day as a Christmas gift, and I'm excited to try out some new recipes.  Did you get any books over the holidays?  Let us know in the comments, or email me at annie dot lipski at aurora dot org!