Unrelated stories of interest

1) First, here is a fascinating New York Times piece that tracks the "paradox" of declining female happiness.

American women are wealthier, healthier and better educated than they were 30 years ago. They’re more likely to work outside the home, and more likely to earn salaries comparable to men’s when they do. They can leave abusive marriages and
sue sexist employers. They enjoy unprecedented control over their own fertility. On some fronts — graduation rates, life expectancy and even job security — men look increasingly like the second sex.
But all the achievements of the feminist era may have delivered women to greater unhappiness.

Looking at the state of sexuality and gender in our society, I am inclined to believe that we have missed something here. No doubt that much has happened in our culture around gender and family in the last century, both positive and negative developments. It may be that in the name of egalitarianism we have forgotten to celebrate womanhood and manhood, motherhood and fatherhood as such. It may be that we have let a commitment to individualism erode our commitments to family and community. I don't know, but I hope they do more research here.

2) Second: Australia's last World War 1 vet dies at 110. I am surprised to hear that there are in fact a handful of such veterans of 'the Great War' still alive. I must admit a fascination with World War 1 as it was one of the stupidest, darkest and most avoidable tragedies in human history, one that helped accelerate the demise of traditional Western Society and led directly the many horrors of the 20th century.

3) Third: A new study says television makes our infants dumber. I always knew it!