Intimacy: Another city has a professional cuddler in it. Portland is the most recent in a string of “cuddle parlors” that have opened up to provide non-sexual intimacy with people. Personally, I love this. I think it is a shame that society so often discourages expression of intimacy, love, and affection outside of our romantic partners. I also think men often face pressure to not be emotional and a safe environment like this gives them a chance to be anonymously vulnerable. (http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/11/professional_cuddler_samantha.html)
Religious Hypocrisy: A Kansas City Mission has decided to prevent atheists from serving food to the homeless on Thanksgiving. I am not sure how they are living according to Christ’s principles when they are explicitly preventing people from helping those in need. It seems that they are choosing hate over love. (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/11/christian-rescue-mission-bans-kansas-atheists-from-volunteering-at-thanksgiving/)
Police: A former police officer outlines how to avoid getting arrested. Some of the tips are good but my biggest takeaway is how subservient we must be to men in badges in modern America. When it is recommended that you cry or wet yourself when you encounter these “public servants” there is a serious problem. (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-not-to-get-arrested-2013-11>
Sex: Today is national birth control day, be safe out there and use vegan condoms like Sir Richard’s.
Nature: Here is a video of a dolphin masturbating with a decapitated fish. Nature is a cruel funny beast and we are all really just here to get our rocks off. (http://io9.com/this-is-a-video-of-a-dolphin-masturbating-with-a-decapi-1463711897)
Economics: Using game theory one can increase their odds of winning on the price is right. Economic principles can have a huge impact on life in general. For me ideas like sunk cost have actually changed my behavior. Everyone should understand the basics. (http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/11/winning_the_price_is_right_strategies_for_contestants_row_plinko_and_the.html)
Russia: A new promotion for the winter Olympics allows people to do squats instead of pay money for their train ride. I find this incredibly interesting and could be a way to both encourage fitness and provide transportation opportunities for low-income people. (http://mashable.com/2013/11/12/russian-subway-squats/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link)
Police State: For some reason Americans continue to assume the best out of the bureaucracy that operates our National Security agencies. Despite generations of rights violations, domestic spying, and abuse at the hands of both political parties people still kind of trust the system that is rife with abuse. It baffles me. (http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/why-does-anyone-trust-the-national-security-state/281429/)
Wandering Oak 
In Turkey, male friends frequently hold hands. In Eskimo cultures, they rub noses with intimate friends and family. In Maori cultures, they touch noses as a greeting.
Interesting, there are definitely sub-cultures within the US that are comfortable with intimacy as well (the Burner community comes to mind). It seems almost uniquely Western that a sort of puritan restriction on intimacy exists, particularly between same-sex friends.