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Weekend Reading: Bizarre Vintage Exercise Photos, the Merits of the Microwave, and More

 • I can't get enough of these historical photographs of bizarre exercise regimens on The New Yorker's Photo Booth blog (see the "musical beauty shop" pictured here). The magazine's photo researcher James Pomerantz observes that January 11th is the time when resolutions to stay in shape start to fall apart: "When your willpower begins to crumble, like the perfectly baked shortbread you've been dreaming of." I definitely know the feeling. —Karen Shimizu

• New favorite way to trick myself into thinking culinary internet procrastination is actually virtuous: Quora, a brilliant question-and-answer website. Take a recent gander at this week's "cooking" entries: First up, we have "How high would I have to launch an egg to make it cook as it re-enters the atmosphere?" which is followed by some insane physics equations that take me back to being a panicky high schooler in calc class. More my speed is the next: What are some interesting things that people in rice-eating countries do with rice, besides just cooking it? which makes me want to get on a plane to India immediately. So go sign up for Quora. It's good for you, I swear. —Sophie Brickman
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