Sharks are disappearing from our oceans at the rate of 100 million per year, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Marine Policy. After withstanding the last five extinctions, a creature responsible for only six to 12 human deaths each year is now the prey of humans, and is now in danger of disappearing in what biologist EO Wilson calls the Sixth Great Extinction.

Shark finning has been getting a lot of press lately, even landing on Richard Branson's blog -- and deservedly so. The cruel yet lucrative practice is decimating approximately 100 million sharks each year, according to a new scientific report. To help close the market, five states have now passed bans to prohibit the shark fin trade, and Texas may become the sixth. If the legislation passes, Texas would become the first red state to lead in this issue.

"Time is money," wrote Ben Franklin in "Advice to a Young Tradesman, Written by an Old One." The saying that has embodied the Protestant work ethic since 1748 is no less relevant in our 21st century postmodern culture. Our consumer-based economy thrives on packing as much productivity into our 1,440 minutes per day as possible. And, with the demands of technology, we're too distracted to notice how stressed out we've become.