Now, I ask you, how can anyone consider Facebook a waste of time if they have friends who post things like this:

Nicholas Kristof discusses some of the research on disgust that has informed my own writing (a few posts on the topic here and here), and its political implications:

… conservatives are more likely than liberals to sense contamination or perceive disgust. People who would be disgusted to find that they had accidentally sipped from an acquaintance’s drink are more likely to identify as conservatives.

The upshot is that liberals and conservatives don’t just think differently, they also feel differently. This may even be a result, in part, of divergent neural responses.

… featuring, of course, the incomparable MILO! This is the second of two promotional videos that Mr. Improbable and I put together for the book. Yes, it’s got that “not ready for prime-time” feel, but aren’t Milo and I cute?

It’s today.

Yes, this feels very weird.

According to dailyhoroscopes.com, those born on this day

… have a natural sense of what the public wants at this time. The business world is lucky to have you. Clear decisions can be made easily and are accepted by others. Sales, lectures and presentations of all sorts can be successfully experienced. Travel may be a requirement in some cases. This afternoon calms a bit as there are opportunities to relax and enjoy some quiet time. This may be a good time to involve yourself with research–you have a real appreciation for ideas and thoughts. You are especially witty this evening as you dine out with loved ones or friends. Others value you for your unique qualities. This is a time when you can expect a little boost, some sort of extra support or recognition from those around you–HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

That works for me.

In case any of you haven’t seen, in addition to today’s column, I have a feature on money etiquette in today’s magazine. This is an excerpt from Miss Conduct’s Mind Over Manners (which goes on sale Tuesday!).

Also, boston.com has a fun photo feature based on tips from MCMom–plus three bonus tips on Facebook etiquette.

The life of an author in the 21st century. My publisher had me do a homemade promotional video that she could shop around to television shows. I did two–one on financial etiquette, one on pet etiquette (co-starring Milo, of course!) Here’s the first. It’s very homemade, but it was good enough to get me on the “Today Show,” so hey!

Welcome to the new blog for Robin Abrahams, and the website for Miss Conduct’s Mind Over Manners! NOTE: This post is going to float around up top for a while to say hi to the newbies. New content will be added below.

I’ll continue to blog Monday-Friday at my Miss Conduct blog, which will focus primarily on the advice column and New England events. This blog will be more comprehensive and will cover–well, on Facebook I described my interests thus:

Theater, Judaism, social sciences, narrative, genre fiction, art, human-animal interaction, behavioral economics, fashion, good home cooking, media and how we relate to it, body acceptance, diversity. Also, feeding cute animals by hand.

So that’s not a bad look at what you’re in for.

We’ll start in reverse order.

(As with my other blog, some posts will enable comments and others won’t. Comments are open here so you can say hello–and so I can get some moderating practice on the new software.)