Artists' Nectar

Absinthe, illegal in the US since 1912, is the notorious potion that provided inspiration and, occasionally, dissolution to scads of 19th and early 20th century artists and writers. The peculiar – sometimes hallucinogenic – effects commonly are ascribed to thujone, a substance claimed to be much like THC from the ingredient wormwood. According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, this is wrong. Surviving old bottles and newly concocted brews of absinthe were tested. Whatever the consequences to health of the various ingredients, the only one with any significant mind-altering characteristics is alcohol. There is a lot of that. Absinthe is 140 proof. Most modern hard liquors are 80 proof. It seems the old artistes were merely drunk. Their modern counterparts in the places where absinthe is illegal haven't been missing out. They just need to buy another round.

Something More for the Sales Pitch

Men, at least the majority without heartthrob good looks, no doubt were pleased by a Journal of Family Psychology article claiming that couples in which the wife is better looking than her husband are happier. Author McNulty suggests, "The husband who's less physically attractive than his wife is getting something more than maybe he can expect to get. He's getting something better than he's providing at that level. So he's going to work hard to maintain that relationship.” A man who believes, "I can do better," he concludes, conveys that opinion, intentionally or otherwise, and therefore is apt to make his spouse unhappy.

Of course, the average Joes have the challenge attracting those beauties in the first place. Easier said than done. I saw no photograph published of McNulty or his wife.