We either gave gifts as usual this Christmas or heeded the advice of Joel Waldfogel, Wharton Professor of Economics and author of Scroogenomics, who argues in his book that we should not have. My guess is those who chose not to give gifts were not so much persuaded by his...

It's nice to receive gifts. Often it tells us that someone cares, to say nothing of now being in the possession of that new item. Giving, on the other hand, tells us more about ourselves; increases the bond between us and the person to whom we have given something, and...

My fingers hurt after I've been typing all day; I get cranky and bloated once a month before I get my period; and every time I eat Chinese food I have chest pains from the MSG I consumed. Uncomfortable yes; tragic, probably not. Some sensations are, of course, worse: after...

The medical world often encourages us to get a second opinion before embarking on expensive procedures. While getting a second opinion may seem straightforward, a closer look reveals that the process is not so simple. There are hidden effects of language at work here: First, the word "second" is typically...

The current healthcare bill may have a hard time passing in Congress. Do we need to wait for Washington to improve our health and well-being? " The answer ought to be a resounding "NO." As much as we need to reform the healthcare system, we really need what I call...