Marc Hartzman, 06/24/12

Author, Found on eBay, American Sideshow, God Made Me Do It, and The Anti-Social Network

While dogs like Bo have held the title of First Pet in the modern era, it would take a cuddly, loyal elephant, giraffe, or rhino to truly be a first.

Stewart A. Swerdlow, 06/26/12

Author; lecturer; Hyperspace Intuitive

It is said that life is but a dream. Conversely, dreams are but part of life. The two are part of the greater whole. Each reflects the other as physical reality mirrors the non-physical.

Bryan Maygers, 06/24/12

Associate Blog Editor, Huffington Post

Andrew Dudley, a.k.a. Jungle Bird, made quite the impression when he interrupted last week's U.S. Open trophy presentation. In an interview this week, we spoke about his experience and what exactly his bird calls had to do with protesting deforestation.

Myra Chanin, 06/24/12

Author; aka Mother Wonderful Radio/TV Media Personality, Former Partner in Crime of Joey Reynolds Show'

He's sung at the White House for the Obamas and has even been caricatured by Sardi's. So what hasn't he done? Something really weird! He's the only impressively credentialed Manhattan actor who's never appeared on Law and Order.

Phil Campbell, 06/22/12

Writer, author

This is the story of the only U.S. Congressmen ever sent to an insane asylum.

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?