At least that’s what the Norwegians discovered!

The cultural part, anyway. I don’t think they studied sugary cereals. And I only like frosted wheat, but not very often.

Anecdotally, it makes perfect sense. Generally, I feel too tired to attend cultural events (museum exhibitions, concerts, jazz clubs, galleries, Warholesque ‘happenings’), but when I do, I tend to leave feeling energized and creative.

What stood out about the study was the gender difference. Males, like myself (or least so my ex-girlfriends assured me I was), get the effects from what is described as ‘passive activities.’ Attending cultural events and activities.

On the other hand, women benefitted most by the active creation: painting, playing music, writing, etc.

In any case, it sounds like the poetry reading I’ll be attending at the Folger will make me happier, more upbeat, and less stressed. Sounds like a win-win thing for me and the Folger and the featured poet (Kay Ryan, former U.S. Poet Laureate). And I’d already bought the ticket anyway, so unless the study said ‘passive cultural activities causes immediate and fatal scrotal cancer,’ I’d probably go, whatever conclusions the Norwegians reached.