The Morality Quiz
The deepest foundation on which morality is built is the phenomenon of empathy, the understanding that what hurts me would feel the same way to you. And human ego notwithstanding, it's a quality other species share. While it's impossible to directly measure empathy in animals, in humans it's another matter. Here are some of the dilemmas used to study human morality. Take this quiz to see how you compare to other TIME.com readers. Then read how scientists are using these dilemmas to study morality.
Scenario 1: The Crying Baby
Illustration for TIME by John Ritter
It's war time, and you're hiding in a basement with a group of other people. Enemy soldiers are approaching outside and will be drawn to any sound. If you're found, you'll all be killed immediately. A baby hiding with you starts to cry loudly and cannot be stopped. Smothering it to death is the only way to silence it, saving the lives of everyone in the room. Assume that the parents of the baby are unknown and not present and there will be no penalty for killing the child. Could you be the one who smothered it if no one else would?

I could not smother the child.

I could smother the child.
Scenario 2: The Life Boat
Illustration for TIME by John Ritter
You're in a lifeboat with several other people. The boat is overloaded and will capsize soon killing everyone aboard unless you lighten the load by one person. One of the passengers is grievously injured and is certain to die soon, but is fully alert and aware of everything that is going on. Could you throw that person overboard, knowing that that would save everyone else and that the person would know what you were doing while you were doing it?

I could not throw the grievously injured person overboard.

I could throw the grievously injured person overboard.
Scenario 3a: The Trolley
Illustration for TIME by John Ritter
An out of control trolley is heading down a track toward five unsuspecting people and will surely kill them all. You could throw a switch diverting it to a siding, but an equally unsuspecting man is standing there and the train will kill him instead. Could you throw the switch, killing one to save five?

I could not throw the switch.

I could throw the switch.
Scenario 3b: The Trolley
Illustration for TIME by John Ritter
In another version of the trolley dilemma, you and the man are on a bridge and you would have to push him onto the track to save the other five.

I could not push the man onto the track.

I could push the man onto the track.
Scenario 3c: The Trolley
Illustration for TIME by John Ritter
In a third version of the trolley dilemma, you could throw a switch catapulting him onto the track, thereby not having to touch him as you kill him. Could you do either of these other scenarios?

I could not throw the switch.

I could throw the switch.

list of presidents

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States

- i think it was teddy roosevelt that gave electric toothbrushes for gifts, so people would remember him.

It takes us a while to accept friends, be patient., --tv on the radio

In American English, "International" is also commonly used to signify "outside of the country".
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A nation is usually the people of a state
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op·ti·mis·tic /ˌɒptəˈmɪstɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[op-tuh-mis-tik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. disposed to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
2. reflecting optimism: an optimistic plan.
3. of or pertaining to optimism.
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pes·si·mism (pěs'ə-mĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view: "We have seen too much defeatism, too much pessimism, too much of a negative approach" (Margo Jones).

state flowers

Alabama -Camilla Montana - Bitterroot
Alaska - Forget Me Not Nebraska - Goldenrod
Arizona - Saguaro Cactus Nevada - Sagebrush
Arkansas - Apple Blossom New Hampshire - Purple Lilac
California -Golden Poppy New Jersey - Purple Violet
Colorado - Columbine New Mexico - Yucca
Connecticut - Mountain Laurel New York - Rose
Delaware - Peach Blossom North Carolina - Dogwood
Florida - Orange Blossom North Dakota - Wild Prairie Rose
Georgia - Cherokee Rose Ohio - Scarlet Carnation
Hawaii - Yellow Hibiscus or Pua Aloalo ( view image ) Oklahoma - Mistletoe
Idaho - Syringa Oregon - Oregon Grape
Illinois - Native Violet Pennsylvania - Mountain Laurel ( as advised by a website visitor )
Indiana - Peony Rhode Island - Violet
Iowa - Wild Rose South Carolina - Yellow Jessamine
Kansas - Sunflower South Dakota - Pasque Flower
Kentucky - Goldenrod Tennessee - Iris
Louisiana - Magnolia Texas - Blue Bonnet
Maine - White Pine Cone Utah - Sego Lily
Maryland - Black Eyed Susan Vermont - Red Clover
Massachusetts - May flower Virginia - Dogwood
Michigan - Apple Blossom Washington - Rhododendron
Minnesota - Lady Slipper West Virginia - Big Rhododendron
Mississippi - Magnolia Wisconsin - Wood Violet
Missouri - Hawthorn Wyoming - Indian Paintbrush

country flowers

Australia Golden Wattle ( as advised by a website visitor )
Brazil The Ipê-Amarelo ( Tecoma Chrysostricha ) ( as advised by a website visitor )
Canada Maple Leaf
China Narcissus
Chile Copihue, Lapageria Rosea ( as advised by a website visitor )
Egypt Lotus
England Rose
Finland Lily Of The Valley ( as advised by a website visitor )
France Fleur de Lis (Iris)
Germany Cornflower
Greece Violet
Holland Tulip
India Lotus
Iran Tulip ( as advised by a website visitor )
Ireland Shamrock
Italy Poppy or White Lily
Jamaica Hibiscus ( as advised by a web site visitor )
Japan Chrysanthemum
Malaysia Hibiscus ( as advised by a website visitor )
Mexico Vopal Cactus or Prickly Pear
Nepal Rhododendron ( as advised by a website visitor )
New Zealand Kowhai ( Sophora Microphylla ) ( view image )
Pakistan Jasmine ( as advised by a website visitor )
Persia Rose
Philippines Sampaguita ( as advised by a web site visitor )
Scotland Thistle
Singapore Orchid : Vanda Miss Joaquim ( as advised by a website visitor )
South Africa Protea
South Korea

The Rose of Sharon - Hibiscus syriacus (Althaea frutex) ( as advised by a website visitor )
Spain Pomegranate ( carnation as advised by a website visitor )
Switzerland Edelweiss
United States American Rose
Wales Leek and Daffodil
Zimbabwe Flame Lily

country birds

United States, North America Bald Eagle - runner up was a turkey
Jamaica, Caribbean Red-billed Streamertail
Austria, Europe Barn Swallow
Australia, Oceania Emu

state birds

Alabama -Yellowhammer
Alaska - Willow Ptarmigan
Arizona - Cactus Wren
Arkansas - Mockingbird
California - California Valley Quail
Colorado - Lark Bunting
Connecticut - Robin
Delaware - Blue Hen Chicken
Florida - Mockingbird
Georgia - Brown Thrasher
Hawaii - Nene
Idaho - Mountain Bluebird
Illinois - Cardinal
Indiana - Cardinal
Iowa - Eastern Goldfinch
Kansas - Western Meadowlark
Kentucky - Cardinal
Louisiana - Eastern Brown Pelican
Maine - Chickadee
Maryland -Baltimore Oriole
Massachusetts - Chickadee
Michigan - Robin
Minnesota - Common Loon
Mississippi - Mockingbird
Missouri - Bluebird
Montana - Western Meadowlark
Nebraska - Western Meadowlark
Nevada - Mountain Bluebird
New Hampshire - Purple Finch
New Jersey - Eastern Goldfinch
New Mexico - Roadrunner
New York - Bluebird
North Carolina - Cardinal
North Dakota - Western Meadowlark
Ohio - Cardinal
Oklahoma - Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Oregon - Western Meadowlark
Pennsylvania - Ruffed Grouse
Rhode Island - Rhode Island Red
South Carolina - Great Carolina Wren
South Dakota - Ring-necked Pheasant
Tennessee - Mockingbird
Texas - Mockingbird
Utah - California Seagull
Vermont - Hermit Thrush
Virginia - Cardinal
Washington -Willow Goldfinch
West Virginia - Cardinal
Wisconsin - Robin
Wyoming - Western Meadowlark

10 Creative Questions To Break The Ice And Get Them Talking

1.
If money were no object, what kind of car would you drive?

Very nearly everyone drives... and very nearly everyone has thought about what their "dream car" would be. This question lets you find out a little bit about them (what kind of car they like) and gets them talking. You can continue by asking why, or possibly going to what kind of car they would never buy.

Alternatives: Almost anything works here, just start with "If money were no object, what kind of blank would you get?"
2.
What's the strangest thing you've seen?

Here's a chance to get them talking and laughing... and getting someone laughing is an easy way to lower their walls. This question works particularly well if you have a truly bizarre story of your own to tell.

Alternatives: Replace strangest with any other - est... it could be biggest, loudest, etc.
3.
What's the best restaurant you've ever been to?

This is a good way to find out what kind of food they like, if you're thinking about asking them out at some point. It also might give you an idea of a good place to eat, whether or not it's with the person you're talking to at the moment.

Alternatives: You can substitute other things for restaurant, but most things have less general appeal, and the ones that don't are usually asked all the time. This is one where if you want to change it, you'll have to base it on the particular person you're talking to at the moment.
4.
Where is the most exotic place you've ever been?

This is a chance for them to open up and tell a story... and that lowers their walls. If you've been to the same place, you've got huge bonus points... shared experiences are the fastest way to get closer to someone.

Alternatives: Most exotic can be replaced with farthest, most dangerous, etc.
5.
What is the biggest event, by number of people, that you have seen in person?

Another chance for them to tell a story, and another chance for you to have similar experiences. One warning, though... don't ask questions like this and always have a bigger, better story to tell... even if you really do, it will make them feel small.

Alternatives: Replace biggest with something like most expensive.
6.
What is the dumbest thing you've ever seen someone do?

People almost invariably like to tell stories aboutthe dumb things they've seen, particularly when it was someone else that did it. If you're really lucky, the person might tell you about the dumbest thing they have done... you can lead the conversation in this direction by telling them the dumbest thing you've done after they tell their story about someone else.

Alternatives: Really you can replace dumbest with nearly anything... nicest, weirdest, most spectacular, most dangerous, etc. Very little gets someone to really go off like dumbest, though.
7.
What is the most expensive single item you've ever bought?

You might want to add words to exclude houses and cars, it's up to you... this question gives you an idea of what the person thinks is worth paying extra for, what is important to them. That can be amazingly valuable both to continue the conversation right then, and in any future times you meet.

Alternatives: What purchase did you regret the most is a related question that can be interesting... but it may bring up bad memories, and that's not really what you want when you're breaking the ice. You might go for the most fun purchase.
8.
What is worst tasting thing you've ever eaten?

This is another thing that people usually remember quite clearly and don't mind sharing. It can even be another shared experience, if you've eaten the same thing... particularly if you also didn't like it.

Alternatives: Most delicious, hottest, most sour... any of the major factors in taste can be used.
9.
What is the most vivid/realistic dream you've ever had?

This is one that can also tell you a lot, but it's also more dangerous than most on this list... not everyone is comfortable sharing their dreams If they are, though, this can get you past a lot of walls they might have, moving you pretty much straight to the "friends" level of relationship (and not in the bad way, for those seeking romantic relationships).

Alternatives: You could also ask what movie (or movie character) they most identified with... it's basically probing for a deeper opening up. If you get it, great... if you don't, they may push you farther away than when you started.
10.
If you could make all of one kind of thing go away, what would it be?

What would you make go away? It can make you think of a lot of things, and things can come up and be laughed about (think mullets)... this question is very open-ended. If you get together more in the future, it can even be something that you bring up regularly, on the spur of the moment... "Okay, THAT is what I would get rid of".

Alternatives: You can do the positive (and more common) side - If you could only have one kind of blank, what would it be?

Ten examples, with alternatives... there are more than twenty questions listed above that you can use to get someone to open up and start talking. And, since they are unusual, they will make that person far more likely to remember you. After all, how many people have you told the worst food you've eaten?

Being remarkable, in the dictionary sense of being worthy of being talked about, is just about the best thing way to establish a new relationship, whether it's business, friendship, or romantic. It also helps spread your "network" as they tell the people they know about the interesting conversation they had the other day... if you happen to meet those people, they will already know who you are, which means the ice is already half-broken right from the start.

By the way, the worst food I've ever had, that I can remember, is beer cheese. Yes, I should have known... I tasted it anyway, and it was just as bad as it sounds. Maybe worse.

op·ti·mize /ˈɒptəˌmaɪz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[op-tuh-mahyz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -mized, -miz·ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to make as effective, perfect, or useful as possible.
2. to make the best of.
3. Computers. to write or rewrite (the instructions in a program) so as to maximize efficiency and speed in retrieval, storage, or execution.
4. Mathematics. to determine the maximum or minimum values of (a specified function that is subject to certain constraints).
–verb (used without object)
5. to be optimistic.

opposite: pessimistic.

Origin and Meaning of the Name

Origin and Meaning of the Name Allen
Gender:Boy
Origin:Gaelic
Meaning:Rock
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Origin and Meaning of the Name Craig
Gender:Boy
Origin:Gaelic
Meaning:Cliff; rock