Bruce Hood, 06/21/12

Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society, University of Bristol; Author, 'The Self Illusion'

There is something deeply repugnant about coming into contact with the clothing of someone we revile. It's as if a killer's evil might rub off on us.

James F. Broderick, 06/20/12

Associate professor of English and journalism, New Jersey City University

An awful lot of ink -- and even quite a bit of fake movie blood -- has been spilled lately over the so-called "Zombie Apocalypse." It now seems clear that Zombies have firmly displaced vampires as this season's go-to monster.

Glen Martin, 06/20/12

Author, Game Changer: Animal Rights and the Fate of Africa's Wildlife

We need to get the Westside off the dole, and we need to retire seleniferous lands. Our two-headed trout and six-eyed ducks demand it.

Frank Morgan, 06/17/12

Professor of Mathematics, Williams College

Both years are leap years (which by inserting an extra day makes summer arrive earlier), so that doesn't explain the difference. What's going on?

Michael Scarfo, 06/20/12

Freelance Writer

I don't feel safer at all, and both fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan have proven themselves to be quicksand for the world's mightiest military. They were drains of money, manpower and lives.

Tony Phillips, 06/18/12

Grant writer

Animals are very good at what they do or they wouldn't have made it through the process of natural selection, let alone the spread of humanity across the earth. If what an animal does is kill things, then unless it's a very small animal, I don't get close to it.

Scott Hobbs, 06/15/12

Founder, Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles

Sixty years ago on June 17, 1952, a brilliant young rocket scientist and occultist was killed in an explosion in Pasadena of origins that remain mysterious to this day.

Kirsten Dirksen, 06/18/12

Co-founder, faircompanies.com

Inspired by Japanese homes, the architects not only made the bathroom the center of the living space, but he copied the concept of Shoji "paper" panels. They don't simply view the doors as dividers, but as a way to change their clients' perspective on their home.

Stacey Graham, 06/15/12

Author

I decided it's time to find out who has the guts and who left them to be munched on by Hell's Handmaidens through a simple tarot spread. Buckle up, Buttercup, it's go time for the authors of the 19th century.

Ilan Dar-Nimrod, 06/17/12

Postdoctoral fellow, University of Rochester Medical Center

We have brought back James Dean to our current days' cool. I could breathe freely again. Cancel my tattoos' removal appointment. Light another smoke.

Seth Shostak, 06/14/12

Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

Despite any inclination to believe yourself among the brightest bulbs around, new research indicates that even when the universe was considerably younger, there were heavy elements enough to spawn planets that could... spawn life.

David Macaray, 06/14/12

Playwright; Labor Columnist; Author

Which is the wiser, more reasonable, and, ultimately, more effective decision-maker? Manager A, who does his or her best to consider all the relevant facts, including any mitigating circumstances? Or Manager B, who adheres to a rigid "zero-tolerance" policy?

Shaahin Cheyene, 06/14/12

Founder and President, Accelerated Intelligence Inc.

Every word you use and how you use it creates a picture in the the mind. It may create a powerful emotional state. Your words shape not only your reality but the reality of all those you influence daily.

Greg Rucka, 06/12/12

I've always had a thing for theme parks and their less-glorious cousins, amusement parks, the carnival midway, and others of such ilk. Partially, and perhaps simply, it's because they're fun places to be. There's a darker side, though, and I confess that's the real attraction for me.

Mike Sternoff, 06/12/12

Video Journalist

Alexandra Holzer, 06/11/12

Author and paranormalist

My only ghost encounter happened when I was in college. I was sleeping over at my brother's home when I awoke in the middle of the night. I opened my eyes and there was a woman standing on the side of the bed just looking at me!

Christian Piatt, 06/11/12

Author, editor, speaker

It's hard to say if the pop culture popularity has influenced similar copycat killers, or if the zombie craze simply has made us more sensitive to similar real-life stories. Either way, both the fictional tales and actual news items may speak to something going on in our collective imaginations.