Enough about your childhood. Let’s talk about Obama.

Apparently Obama was advised by a crack team of behavioral scientists, including a Columbia psychologist, on how best to appeal to the way our minds work in his campaign. Looks like it worked. (NY Times)

An attempt to be New York City’s trendiest man led this Slate writer to sleep with 30 pillows and attend “Dance Party” workout sessions. “Eat your heart out, Columbia University’s Dodge Fitness Center.” (Slate)

Add one more reason to your “Glad I’m Not in High School” list. Apparently a quick peek at your Facebook and Twitter profiles is the new unspoken admissions test for many colleges. (TIME)

Meanwhile, in extremely serious and worrying news, Gaza and Israel are posed on the brink of war. (NBC)

Obama campaign via Shutterstock