Here's the Scoop...

Education is very important to us all. The things you can learn these days could indeed help humankind build a better world in-which to live. Case in point...A university in Scotland has launched a new a course examining the philosophy of television character Homer Simpson.

The course at Glasgow University is titled "D'Oh! The Simpsons Introduce Philosophy" and will seek to determine if the patriarch of the long running animated show The Simpsons is a "virtuous character."

"The course uses The Simpsons as a vehicle of introducing the people to philosophical ideas," the professor in charge of the class, Dr. John Donaldson, told the Evening Times. "We do look at Homer and ask if he is a virtuous person. We do that after talking about moral philosophy."

According to the course literature, the class will examine different episodes and characters including the rest of the Simpson family and their pious neighbor Ned Flanders to "explore some of philosophy's most inspiring ideas as presented in Matt Groening's monument to the absurdities of human existence."

Donaldson said the main focus of the one-day course offered on Jan. 14 and 21 will be comparing the "complex" character of Homer Simpson to Aristotle's account of a virtuous character.

"He's very gluttonous, he can be quite violent and self-interested. But at the same time he's a character that's hard not to like," he told the BBC. "He's very popular. He has a childlike joy of life, he's open to doing the right thing and he's a faithful family man."

Donaldson said the class was over-enrolled and hoped the subject matter would help draw people into further studying philosophy.

"I like the Simpsons because it's a great work of art. It's a cartoon of a great tapestry. There's so much going on in it," he said. "It encourages you to reflect on what's important in life."

Hey, stay in school and get smrt! D'oh!

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



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Ryan Reynolds recalls the moment he fell for Blake Lively
Ryan Reynolds is opening up about his early romance with Blake Lively.

The 40-year-old actor revealed he knew the 29-year-old actress was The One during a romantic date in New York while recalling the moment he fell for Lively in the December issue of GQ.

"We were hanging out at this little restaurant in Tribeca that's open really late, and this song came on and I was just like, 'Want to dance?' No one was in the there, so it was just totally empty," Reynolds said.

"It was just one of those moments where halfway through the dance, it was like, 'Oh, I think I just crossed a line.' And then I walked her home. And uh, you know, I don't really need to go into what happened after that," he joked.

Reynolds and Lively met on the set of Green Lantern in 2010 and married in Mount Pleasant, S.C., in 2012. The couple revisited another favorite restaurant for the actor's 40th birthday in October.

"@_o_ya_ We fell in love at your restaurant in Boston. We stay in love at your restaurant in NY. Thank you for the BEST food and memories! You are our favorite!! Another happy birthday with @vancityreynolds. Hey, Reynolds, I like you a whole lot. Just sayin'..." Lively wrote on Instagram.

Reynolds and Lively welcomed daughter James in 2014, and have yet to reveal the name of their second daughter, who was born in September. The Deadpool star admitted on an episode of Conan this month that parenting "two under two is tough."


Ashley Graham, Gwen Stefani dazzle at Glamour Women of the Year Awards
Ashley Graham and Gwen Stefani dazzled on the red carpet Monday.

The 28-year-old model and 47-year-old singer attended the 2016 Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Los Angeles, where they were honored for their leadership and contributions to society.

Graham showed off her figure in a white bodysuit with beaded embellishment and sheer legs. Stefani stunned in an organza gown with a halter neck that bared her stomach and a short train.

Singer Demi Lovato, model Cara Delevingne and reality star Caitlyn Jenner were among the other celebrities in attendance. Graham shared a message of body positivity during her acceptance speech.

"2016 was an interesting ride, but never before have I seen such size diversity in fashion, in film, on buses, on covers of magazines, in films, in TV. It's been absolutely incredible," she said.

"I didn't do it by myself. It takes a village," the star added before encouraging, "Don't let your body hold you back. Don't let your body insecurities hold you back from doing anything that you want to do."

Graham had unveiled a Barbie doll in her likeness at the Glamour summit earlier in the day. She revealed the Barbie was made to her proportions, including having its thighs touch.

"We need to work together to redefine the global image of beauty and continue to push for a more inclusive world. I'm thrilled Barbie had not only evolved their product, but also has continued to honor women who are pushing boundaries," the model said.

"It was important that the Barbie resembled me as much as possible," she added. "The thighs touching was one way to show young girls that it's okay for your thighs to touch, despite society saying that a 'thigh gap' is more beautiful."

Graham is known for her modeling work with Lane Bryant and Levi's, and became the first plus-size model to cover the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue this year. Stefani last released the album This is What the Truth Feels Like in March.


??? Guess Who ???
Which late night talk show host is betting Laurie Hernandez wins 'DWTS'?



Bruno Mars announces '24K Magic' tour
Bruno Mars is planning to embark on an 85-date world tour in support of his upcoming album "24K Magic," which is set to kick off in Antwerp, Belgium, on March 28 before coming to the States in July.

Mars' North American tour opens in Las Vegas on July 15 and will play multiple nights in Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles, where the tour will wrap on Nov. 11.

Tickets go on sale on Nov. 21.

Mars' "24K Magic" album is slated for release on Nov. 18, and fans who pre-order the album will get a first shot at concert tickets before they officially go on sale.


??? Guess Who ???
Which late night talk show host is betting Laurie Hernandez wins 'DWTS'?

Jimmy Kimmel has a lot riding on Laurie Hernandez's possible Dancing With the Stars win, revealing on Tuesday that he placed a $2,500 bet on Hernandez to win.

Hernandez appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk about her competition for the mirror ball trophy, and Kimmel took the opportunity to try and secure Hernandez's victory.

"I appreciate you being here, but I worry that you should be practicing right now," Kimmel said. "A lot of my money is on the line here."

Hernandez, who took home a gold medal with the USA women's gymnastics team in Rio over the summer, assured Kimmel that she already got her practice time in for the day.

"Sometimes it's nice to practice twice in a day," Kimmel said. "When somebody, for instance, has theoretically bet, let's say, I don't know, $2,500 on you to win."

"If you're betting that much, you gotta make sure you're voting for me," Hernandez countered.

It wasn't all criticism from Kimmel, though, who complimented Hernandez on her recent perfect score with partner Val Chmerkovskiy.

"We'll try to do better next week, though," he joked, "maybe get it up to 11 or even a 12."