Articles written by Cyd Madsen

What is Helium

About me - Cyd Madsen

Whoever I am, it's always a surprise to discover how others define me. The two rarely match. At times I'm tempted to think it's best not to think too much "about me" and just go about my business, letting others figure out my puzzle, yet at other times I'm

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Arts & Humanities > Writing Process (Other) Do great writers rely more on effort or insight?: 1 of 55

In the early years of the 20th Century, there was a young man inspired to write. So great was his inspiration that he often skipped classes at Stanford so he could write, write, write, write. He never graduated. So horrible were his writing efforts that two friends hung him from a second story window by the heels, threatening... More..
Sciences > Psychology Are there differences in intelligence between races?: 1 of 28

Suggesting there are differences in intelligence between races can be misunderstood as racism, rather than a misunderstanding of intelligence. It is also a gross misunderstanding of what "race" is or means. First to tackle the concept of "race." Nobody really knows what race, as it applies to humans, means. We do know that ce... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should smoking be allowed in public places?: 15 of 363

Before we can even discuss whether or not smoking should be allowed in "public places," we have to define what we're talking about when we say "public places." If that phrase means the great outdoors and/or any place other than the smokers private little box of their homes, then yes, smoking should be allowed. If we're talkin... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing & Rating at Helium How to thoroughly develop your Helium articles: 1 of 13

Although he was writing about the visual arts, in his novel Duma Key, Stephen King imparts a nugget of wisdom for writers, and particularly writers on Helium. He states that the artist should paint what they know, then re-invent it. Because Helium is a site where knowledge is shared, it's best if writers write about what they... More..
Relationships & Family > Elderly Parents & Care Tips for helping senior parents cope with loneliness: 2 of 24

The Valley of Shadows: Senior Parents and LonelinessThere is a basic design flaw in humans and their phases of life: none of us knows what any given stage is like until we've been there and lived the experience. Although younger generations want to help their parents and may have an abundance of ideas on how they can, or shou... More..
Health & Fitness > Diet (Other) Dieting: assessing the real worth: 1 of 9

It's interesting to trace the origins of the word "diet." It stems from the Greek word "diatsthai," meaning "to live one's life, and from the Latin word "diaeta," meaning "way of living." All of us are on a diet of one sort of another, even if that diet is candy and donuts-it's the way one chooses to live one's life. In conte... More..
Arts & Humanities > Photography Comparing digital and film photography in visual arts: 1 of 9

Before discussing any comparison between digital and film photography, it should be made clear that this is a comparison of the two in the field of the visual arts, not commercial arts. There are vast differences between the two that are beyond the scope of a short article. For that reason all references and options will be l... More..
Personal Finance > Budgets & Saving How to stick to a savings plan: 2 of 16

You can't spend what you don't have. Some of the best ways to make sure you don't let the temptation of a cashed paycheck get the better of you are as follows:1. If your company provides such a service, sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck into your checking account.2. If you have on-line banking with automatic bill pa... More..
Education > College Search Which is a better first step into college: Community colleges or regular universities?: 5 of 39

The only thing that matters is from which university you graduate, not the one you entered. So much pressure is put on high school students to push beyond their limits so they can enter a top notch university....and go broke doing so. It simply does not make sense. When young adults graduate from high school, everything they'... More..
Relationships & Family > Tips for Marital Happiness Tips for a long lasting marriage: 18 of 138

After enjoying 31 years of a robust and healthy marriage, I can say with unwavering certainty that I don't have a clue how it happened. The best I can offer is that it's been luck, then try to deconstruct that luck and hopefully pass along some tips that will help others live happily ever after.Our first bit of luck was that ... More..