Yahoo! Answers

Hey Guys,

Last weekend, “Iron Man” rocked the box office for over $100 million. Even for a summer blockbuster, that’s an impressive amount of money. Time will tell if “Iron Man” ends up approaching the glorious grosses of “Titanic,” “Star Wars,” and… “Gone with the Wind”?

Yep, “Gone with the Wind.” I asked the community for help in tracking down the highest grossing movie adjusted for inflation. This was sort of a dirty trick on my part as I already knew the answer. Forgive me.

Anyway, as you’ve probably guessed by now, the title belongs to “Gone with the Wind.” According to filmsite.org, the 1939 Civil War epic is the most successful movie ever made, bringing in well over a billion bucks in today’s dollars. Number two is the original “Star Wars,” while “The Sound of Music,” “E.T.,” and “The Ten Commandments” round out the top five.

One might think more recent films like “Spider-Man or “Lord of the Rings” might make the cut. They’re definitely up there, but not in the top five. Inflation is indeed a powerful thing. Just ask Greenspan.

Do you think any of this summer’s crop of flicks has a chance to one day topple “Gone with the Wind”? The new “Indiana Jones,” perhaps? Got any other predictions on this summer’s box office? Leave a note below. I promise — I really do give a damn.

Thanks for reading,

Photo by bradjward

Most of us have had at least one teacher in our lives that has motivated us to some sort of greatness. (At least, I hope that’s the case.) For me, it was Mrs. Montgomery, fourth grade. She still stands out in my mind as one of the most influential and inspiring people in my life. She and I kept in touch long after elementary school — she even came to my high school graduation — and we corresponded frequently throughout college.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, which got me thinking about Mrs. Montgomery and some of the other inspirational (and not-so-inspirational) teachers I’ve known. What qualities make for a great teacher? It’s a question that has been asked many times in Answers, and looking over the myriad responses, there seem to be a few common threads.

I really like Aim T’s idea that great teachers are constructivist in their methods, meaning they teach in a manner that enables their students to learn by making discoveries for themselves. This is a shift from the idea that teachers are simply repositories of knowledge, offering facts and figures for their students to learn by rote. Though there are definite benefits in learning how to memorize and store information, constructivist methods tend to engage students more completely in their own learning process.

Many of you agree with housescrubs, Shawn, and amber that great teachers find a way to incorporate humor and energy into their lessons. Finding a way to make even the most tiresome subject enjoyable keeps students engaged and interested. Not all teachers need to be as outrageous as Robin Williams in “Dead Poets Society,” but finding small ways to make their subjects relevant to their students goes a long way in making the learning process both entertaining and effective.

Most concur with violamom74 that great teachers are enthusiastic, fiercely knowledgeable about their subjects, and behave in ways that earn respect from their students. Above all, great teachers make you want to learn, not just in that specific class or subject, but for a lifetime. Those qualities were certainly true of Mrs. Montgomery, who I wholeheartedly appreciate not only this week, but always.

What do you think sets certain teachers apart from others? What qualities do you think make a teacher great?

Hey Guys,

Kids have many rites of passage. Some of these rites, like turning into a blithering idiot around members of the opposite sex, are ongoing. Others, like coming down with the chicken pox, tend to strike only once. I always wondered why these annoying red spots don’t return for a second time, so I asked the Answers community for some help.

Chicken pox are caused by something called the varicella-zoster virus. Fortunately, the body develops an immunity to this virus that (in laymen’s terms) blocks it from returning. Well, it usually does. While the vast majority of folks won’t get chicken pox a second time, the virus can “lay dormant” within the body and resurface years later as shingles. Not fair, but those are the breaks.

These days, kids can receive a vaccine that prevents the varicella-zoster virus from striking. iVillage, a parenting web site, features a list of pros and cons on the vaccine for moms and dads to consider. And, of course, your child’s pediatrician can handle any questions you have.

So that answers the main question, but one big inquiry still remains — why do they call them “chicken pox” in the first place? It’s not like chickens are particularly itchy creatures. There are a lot of theories, but none of ‘em are conclusive. Got a theory of your own? Leave it below (and please include a link that backs it up).

Thanks for reading,

Photo by Dave Pullig

I have a confession to make. I love watching Gordon Ramsay in action, in all his foul-mouthed glory. My friends are usually horrified to learn this about me, but I’m a big fan of his. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea — especially if “Hell’s Kitchen” is their only reference point — but I find his pairing of food and whine irresistible.

And for all his snarling, I really do think he is trying to bring out the best in his beleaguered chefs and get them as excited about good food as he is. He does this “boot camp” style, by chipping away at their egos. Once the fledglings show true interest and diligence, Ramsay quickly transitions from drill sergeant to mentor. You see? He’s not such a bad guy — his methods are almost Zen-like. And really, he doesn’t ask them to do anything he doesn’t do himself. He just has high standards.

But I have to say, while I enjoy watching his antics on “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Kitchen Nightmares” (his restaurant makeover series), my favorite show is the kinder, gentler U.K. program, “The F Word.” He focuses more on the food itself rather than on budding chefs. In each episode, Ramsay shows how to prepare a great meal using fresh ingredients in a quick and uncomplicated way. You may never microwave another frozen brick of broccoli when you realize how easy and healthful it is to steam or sauté fresh veggies instead.

“The F Word” also follows Ramsay as he and his kids learn how to raise their own turkeys and pigs. I think it’s admirable on his part to teach his children where the food really comes from, and you’ll see a whole different side to Chef Ramsay when he (not his children) has qualms about losing his “pets” as butchering day approaches.

Chef Ramsay, your secret is out. Like a loaf of fresh sourdough bread, you’re hard and crusty on the outside and soft and squidgy on the inside. I can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up next.

What do you think of Ramsay’s teaching style? Are there other situations that require the “tough love” approach?

Hey Guys,

What does a psycho killer with a hook have in common with Mikey from the Life cereal commercials? Both are the subjects of classic urban legends.

Urban legends, those bizarre stories that could possibly be true but probably aren’t, are extremely popular on Yahoo! Answers. Just about every campfire story you’ve ever heard is represented. As I was reading them, a question struck me. Are urban legends ever true?

I did a search on “true urban legends” and discovered that I’m not the only person to wonder. One community member asks if all urban legends stem from the truth but get distorted as the story moves from person to person.

Well, maybe, maybe not. That’s the maddening thing about urban legends — they’re plausible enough to be believable even if your better judgment is screaming, “Yeah, right!”

So, how do you prove or disprove these scary stories? Snopes.com specializes in rumors, gossip, and urban legends. Just about every urban legend you can think of is addressed. In fact, the site disproves one story that has spawned dozens of questions within Yahoo! Answers. You know the one about the guy who was drugged at a party and woke up in a bathtub full of ice and had both his kidneys missing? Not true.

Of course, that’s not to say that urban legends aren’t fun to speculate about. Do you have a favorite story that you “swear” is true? Leave me a note and share it below. Oh, and by the way, Mikey from the Life cereal commercials is alive and well. The guy with the hook? He’s standing right behind you.

Thanks for reading,