Why can't we trust what we see?
The human memory can be impressive, but it is equally prone to letting us down. Now groundbreaking research has revealed the extent of just how fragile it can be - and how to use it better.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Designer Psychologies: Moving beyond neurotypicality
Designer psychologies, orcustomized cognitive processing modalities, ...
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Top 10 End-of-the-World Prophecies
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2072678,00.html
End Times
- The Millerites
- Harold Camping, 1994
- 2012
- William Branham and the Pentecostal Prediction
- The Anabaptists of Munster
- Late Great Planet Earth and Other Prophecy Books
- Y2K
- The Branch Davidians
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- The Great London Fire of 1666
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Bible Prophecy Belief in American Culture and Its Political Implications
Bible-prophecy belief is as American as apple pie....The Bible prophecy beliefs so pervasive today are rooted in ancient myths of cosmic struggles between order and chaos, light and darkness, good and evil. These myths, which date from the earliest civilizations of the Middle East, spawned a popular literary genre known as Apocalyptic that flourished in ancient Judaism and early Christianity. (This Greek word “apocalypse” simply means the unveiling of hidden knowledge.) Apocalyptic passages appear in Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and elsewhere in the Hebrew Scriptures, and in the New Testament Gospels; apostolic letters; and, of course, that mysterious final book, Revelation.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Apocalyptic Imagery In Art History
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/21/most-apocalyptic-imagery-_n_865032.html#s281547
"The Garden of Earthly Delights," by Netherlandish painter Hieronymoush Bosch, gives humanity two options. The triptych contains a central, earthly scene, flanked by a panel of paradise, and, perhaps most memorably, a panel of hell
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
BIBLE VS. ARCHAEOLOGY
Biblical Patriarchs Abraham & Moses NEVER EXISTED As the Bible Portrays
This is a clip from the documentary "Bible Unearthed." This clip is the section dealing with Abraham and Moses, also known as biblical patriarchs. They were NEVER real as the Bible speaks of, BUT they could have been based on real people, as the Bible characters are obviously allegorial metaphorical type figures. Sigmund Freud wrote a book before he died called "Moses and Monotheism" where he and many other more modern scholars have began to link Moses w/ the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, who is also given "historical credit" for creating monotheism, just like "Moses" is given credit for the same !!! BOTH are said to have led a famed "exodus" from Egypt, as the cult of Akhenaten and his "atenists" were expelled from the country, and everyone is familiar with the "Moses" exodus from the Bible. It is hard for religious people to take, but there was NEVER any ancient sprawling kingdom of Israel, there was an ancient Jerusalem, but certainly NOT the mythical kingdom of Israel. That phrase comes from the combination of three ancient deities, Isis - Ra, and El. The Israelites were ROYALTY in Egypt, NOT slaves. Exodus ch. 12 explains how they left Egypt with gold & silver jewelry, flocks of many animals, along with very much cattle (KJV). NO down trodden "slaves" would ever have this type of material wealth to take out of Egypt with them. This goes hand in hand with what Josephus said about them really being the invading dynasty to Egypt, that history calls the "Hyksos." There is NOT one shred of evidence that any Israeli slaves ever lived in ancient Egypt. The Bible overall is MUCH more Egyptian rooted than most people will ever realize, which also totally explains why it was an Egyptian pharaoh named Ptolemy who first collected various books and put them together, to resemble what we know today as the "collection of books" that is the Bible. (obviously all Ptolemy had were the OT books because this was around 250 B.C.) Isn't that so ironic, that Jews and Christians use the Bible, but it was NEITHER one of those groups who first put various Bible books together, it was a "Pagan" pharaoh named Ptolemy who first did that !!
This is a clip from the documentary "Bible Unearthed." This clip is the section dealing with Abraham and Moses, also known as biblical patriarchs. They were NEVER real as the Bible speaks of, BUT they could have been based on real people, as the Bible characters are obviously allegorial metaphorical type figures. Sigmund Freud wrote a book before he died called "Moses and Monotheism" where he and many other more modern scholars have began to link Moses w/ the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, who is also given "historical credit" for creating monotheism, just like "Moses" is given credit for the same !!! BOTH are said to have led a famed "exodus" from Egypt, as the cult of Akhenaten and his "atenists" were expelled from the country, and everyone is familiar with the "Moses" exodus from the Bible. It is hard for religious people to take, but there was NEVER any ancient sprawling kingdom of Israel, there was an ancient Jerusalem, but certainly NOT the mythical kingdom of Israel. That phrase comes from the combination of three ancient deities, Isis - Ra, and El. The Israelites were ROYALTY in Egypt, NOT slaves. Exodus ch. 12 explains how they left Egypt with gold & silver jewelry, flocks of many animals, along with very much cattle (KJV). NO down trodden "slaves" would ever have this type of material wealth to take out of Egypt with them. This goes hand in hand with what Josephus said about them really being the invading dynasty to Egypt, that history calls the "Hyksos." There is NOT one shred of evidence that any Israeli slaves ever lived in ancient Egypt. The Bible overall is MUCH more Egyptian rooted than most people will ever realize, which also totally explains why it was an Egyptian pharaoh named Ptolemy who first collected various books and put them together, to resemble what we know today as the "collection of books" that is the Bible. (obviously all Ptolemy had were the OT books because this was around 250 B.C.) Isn't that so ironic, that Jews and Christians use the Bible, but it was NEITHER one of those groups who first put various Bible books together, it was a "Pagan" pharaoh named Ptolemy who first did that !!
Crowdsourcing : The folly of Crowds
The wisdom of the crowd?
In most cases the crowd are not as clever or well advised as you think they are, in truth, we may be relying on the folly of the crowd.
Information sharing interferes with 'wisdom of crowds': study
Social influences kill the wisdom of the crowd
How Power Corrupts
The news abounds with stories of powerful men behaving badly. It’s a depressing yet predictable spectacle – those in positions of power can’t help but help themselves to the help. They scream at underlings and have sex with the secretaries; they assault hotel maids (or at least are accused of such) and sleep with the nanny. The question, of course, is what motivates this awful behavior? Why does power corrupt?
Psychologists refer to this as the paradox of power.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/how-power-corrupts/
The Power Trip
Contrary to the Machiavellian cliché, nice people are more
likely to rise to power. Then something strange happens:
Authority atrophies the very talents that got them there.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Boredom Interest
http://www.boredominterest.net/boredomcenter.html
The first occurrence of “bored” (the verb) in the English language occurred in a private letter as late as 1768, in which the Earl of Carlisle articulates his pity for his “Newmarket friends, who are bored by these Frenchmen.” “Bore,” meaning “a thing that bores,” first appeared in the English lexicon in 1778. The “bore” as a tiresome person emerged in 1812. The first citation of the noun boredom occurred in 1864, less than a century and a half ago. Cultures appear to validate their experience of the world by creating words or linguistic labels that subsequently serve to shape and codify previously quasi-inchoate, imprecise, fuzzily-defined feelings and experience. The addition of a given word to a culture’s lexicon typically occurs when a critical mass of individuals discovers shared experience of some heretofore unnamed/imprecisely defined feeling.
The relatively recent emergence of “boredom” and its variants in the English language suggests the possibility that boredom experience in prior eras of Western culture might not have been as prevalent or prominent compared to boredom experience in contemporary times. Boredom researcher Orin Klapp has documented an enormous increase in the use of the word “boredom” between 1931 and 1961. A 1981 West German study found that between 1952 and 1978, the percentage of the population who considered boredom “a great problem” in filling leisure time increased from 26 percent to 38 percent, almost a 50% increase.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Illusions
We must select the Illusion which appeals to our temperament and embrace it with passion, if we want to be happy.
~ Cyril Connolly (1903-1974, British critic)
~ Ludwig Borne – Political Journalist
A pleasant illusion is better than a harsh reality
A pleasant illusion is better than a harsh reality
~ John Christian Bovee (American author, lawyer)
We love our illusions! We love the illusions we create even when our
illusions fuel despair, aggravation, anger, etc in our life.
What illusions are you clinging to? If you eliminate the illusion will the long term gain, outweigh the initial pain? The answer is almost always yes!
It takes courage to eliminate our illusions and step into the light! Be courageous! Fear not!
THIS AWESOME URN WILL TURN YOU INTO A TREE AFTER YOU DIE
You don't find many designers working in the funeral business thinking about more creative ways for you to leave this world (and maybe they should be). However, Spanish designer Martin Azua has combined the romantic notion of life after death with an eco solution to the dirty business of the actual, you know, transition.
His Bios Urn is a biodegradable urn made from coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose and inside it contains the seed of a tree. Once your remains have been placed into the urn, it can be planted and then the seed germinates and begins to grow. You even have the choice to pick the type of plant you would like to become, depending on what kind of planting space you prefer.
http://bigthink.com/ideas/38299
Hybrid Reality
What if you stayed a hotel and never saw a soul apart from the other people staying at the establishment. You could walk in and self check-in at kiosks at the front desk; put your luggage on a cart taken by a robotic bellboy to your room; order food via touchscreen in your room (cooked by humans in the basement of the hotel) which is delivered to your room by said robotic bellboy. This scenario is quite feasible today. If you're willing to make your own bed (complicated for robots), a roomba will vacuum the room and a scooba can wash the bathroom floors.
In fact, the hotel Yotel opening up on 10th Ave and 41st Street in New York offers some of these features already. After self check-in, guests can give their luggage to a robotic arm or bellboy called Yobot. Yobot will put luggage into storage bins if the guest arrived before check-in or just wants to take a stroll before going up to the room.
WELCOME TO THE HYBRID AGE
A REALITY OF OUR OWN CONSTRUCTION .... http://bigthink.com/ideas/37935
"All things physical are information-theoretic in origin, and this is a participatory universe."
~ John Archibald Wheeler
Sunday, May 15, 2011
No need to ready the ark for May 21: religion prof
An American Christian organization spreading the gospel of a May 21 judgment day is the latest in a line of doomsday groups older than Noah himself, says a religion expert who's confident we'll still be here on May 22.
Prof. Richard Ascough, who teaches an apocalyptic literature course at Queen's University's School of Religion, says Family Radio's international billboard campaign and mission play on a consistent human belief that the current generation is somehow unique.
"Throughout history, every generation has had… some interpretation that places the end times within their own generation," he told CTV.ca in a recent interview, days before doomsday as predicted by the fringe group. "I get the worrying sense from their material that they would be as surprised as their followers that they are still here May 22."
Prof. Richard Ascough, who teaches an apocalyptic literature course at Queen's University's School of Religion, says Family Radio's international billboard campaign and mission play on a consistent human belief that the current generation is somehow unique.
"Throughout history, every generation has had… some interpretation that places the end times within their own generation," he told CTV.ca in a recent interview, days before doomsday as predicted by the fringe group. "I get the worrying sense from their material that they would be as surprised as their followers that they are still here May 22."
Stephen Hawking quotes
Stephen Hawking: 'There is no heaven, it's a fairy story'
In an exclusive interview with the Guardian the cosmologist shares his thoughts on death, M-theory, human purpose and our chance existence
We are interviewing the Cambridge cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, and we need your help
Stephen Hawking thinks that making contact with aliens would be a very bad idea indeed. But with new, massive telescopes, we humans are stepping up the search. Have we really thought this through?
I speak my brain on Channel 4 News about the booksellers' current favourite controversy - Stephen Hawking versus God
PROFESSOR JOHN LENNOX : As a scientist I'm certain Stephen Hawking is wrong. You can't explain the universe without God
Persuasive speech: The way we, um, talk sways our listeners
Want to convince someone to do something?
A new University of Michigan study has some intriguing insights drawn from how we speak.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Schwarzenegger and Shriver Separate
The former first couple of California have separated, but they are hardly alone
Schwarzenegger, Shriver Separate After 25 Years of Marriage
This Time, The Terminator Really Means It
After 25 years, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are calling it quits. What does it take to keep a relationship strong for the long term?
Lust For The Long Haul
Why sex needs to grow richer (and raunchier) with time
The Rules of Relationships
How to build a healthy love life with your spouse
Weren't We Good Together?
"Amicable" divorce? Baloney! We need to hear the truth.
If You Have to Break Up—Do It Right
How to end affairs with dignity and minimal distress
Expect to Feel "in Love" Forever?
How anger magnifies relationship problems
Attention Is the Most Basic Form of Love
Intimacy's secret is simple.
Addicted to Love—Withdrawal and All
The pain of breakups is real
Rekindling a Connection
When love feels like a distant memory
10 Ways to Perk Up Your Love Life
It's not about avoiding conflict
Schwarzenegger, Shriver Separate After 25 Years of Marriage
After 25 years, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are calling it quits. What does it take to keep a relationship strong for the long term?
Lust For The Long Haul
Why sex needs to grow richer (and raunchier) with time
The Rules of Relationships
How to build a healthy love life with your spouse
Weren't We Good Together?
"Amicable" divorce? Baloney! We need to hear the truth.
If You Have to Break Up—Do It Right
How to end affairs with dignity and minimal distress
Expect to Feel "in Love" Forever?
How anger magnifies relationship problems
Attention Is the Most Basic Form of Love
Intimacy's secret is simple.
Addicted to Love—Withdrawal and All
The pain of breakups is real
Rekindling a Connection
When love feels like a distant memory
10 Ways to Perk Up Your Love Life
It's not about avoiding conflict
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/time-the-terminator-really-means-it/10-ways-perk-your-love-life
Accentuate the Positive
Constant complaining can cripple your marriage
Accentuate the Positive
Constant complaining can cripple your marriage
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/time-the-terminator-really-means-it/accentuate-the-positive
Are You a Passive-Aggressive Spouse?
Are You a Passive-Aggressive Spouse?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/time-the-terminator-really-means-it/are-you-passive-aggressive-spouse
The Shocking Trend Among Fed-Up Wives
The Shocking Trend Among Fed-Up Wives
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/time-the-terminator-really-means-it/the-shocking-trend-among-fed-wives
Feeling Like a Piece of Meat?
Feeling Like a Piece of Meat?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/time-the-terminator-really-means-it/feeling-piece-meat
10 Steps to Happiness and Emotional Fulfillment
10 Steps to Happiness and Emotional Fulfillment
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/time-the-terminator-really-means-it/10-steps-happiness-and-emotional-fulfillment
Are Great Marriages Different in Italy?
Are Great Marriages Different in Italy?
Humor
Tina Fey Is Hot, But ...
We can't stop reading Bossypants—but the rarity of female comedians raises questions about humor, sexuality, and how much men really want a funny woman.
Danger Ahead: Crossing the Humor Divide
What's sexy in a sense of humor?
Humor's Sexual Side
A woman who deploys a male sense of humor—one that's aggressive or competitive—is a turnoff to men.
Why We Love 30 Rock
The eternal charm of out-of-touch bosses
Americans Hate Their Work Lives
Popular TV fare could make us worry about our mental health
A Unique Social Tool
A guy walks into a bar ...
The Science of Laughter
Far from mere reactions to jokes, hoots and hollers are serious business:
Supreme Justice?
A case where women are funnier than men
Elena Kagan Proves Women Are Funnier Than Men
Maybe she should have asked Sen. Graham where he was on Purim.
A Comic Pauses
When Tina Fey isn't kidding
Tina Fey's Dilemma
Why the comedian needs a good talking to.
Bonding Over Bellylaughs
What draws friends together is no laughing matter
Talking to Judy Gruen: About Friendship & Laughter
Jokes between best friends come effortlessly
The One Bawdy Quip Females Find Funny
What women like!
Sex Jokes Told By Women
Women tell one particular kind of sexual joke to other women.
Wisecrackers on the Front Lines
Seven well-known wits explore the elements of their craft
What happens when you hold a mirror up to seven comedians?
If Women Ruled the World
History would be a lot more fun
Run By Women, The World Would Be Better and More Fun
History would have been better had women been the dominant sex.
Lubricate with Laughter
There's integrity in humor because true laughter can't be forced
We can't stop reading Bossypants—but the rarity of female comedians raises questions about humor, sexuality, and how much men really want a funny woman.
Danger Ahead: Crossing the Humor Divide
What's sexy in a sense of humor?
Humor's Sexual Side
A woman who deploys a male sense of humor—one that's aggressive or competitive—is a turnoff to men.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/the-tina-fey-effect-funny-women-get-their-due/is-your-sense-humor-sexy
The Last Laugh in a Relationship
Joking can bring couples together—or pull them apart
Crack Me Up
Humor in relationships is touchy: Laughter can bring you closer, or it can pack a cruel punch. How to avoid the pitfalls and use humor to strengthen your bond.
The Last Laugh in a Relationship
Joking can bring couples together—or pull them apart
Crack Me Up
Humor in relationships is touchy: Laughter can bring you closer, or it can pack a cruel punch. How to avoid the pitfalls and use humor to strengthen your bond.
The eternal charm of out-of-touch bosses
Americans Hate Their Work Lives
Popular TV fare could make us worry about our mental health
A guy walks into a bar ...
The Science of Laughter
Far from mere reactions to jokes, hoots and hollers are serious business:
They're innate -- and important -- social tools.
A case where women are funnier than men
Elena Kagan Proves Women Are Funnier Than Men
Maybe she should have asked Sen. Graham where he was on Purim.
When Tina Fey isn't kidding
Tina Fey's Dilemma
Why the comedian needs a good talking to.
What draws friends together is no laughing matter
Talking to Judy Gruen: About Friendship & Laughter
Jokes between best friends come effortlessly
What women like!
Sex Jokes Told By Women
Women tell one particular kind of sexual joke to other women.
Seven well-known wits explore the elements of their craft
What happens when you hold a mirror up to seven comedians?
PT sat down with some well-known wits to explore the droll—and the weighty—elements of their craft.
History would be a lot more fun
Run By Women, The World Would Be Better and More Fun
History would have been better had women been the dominant sex.
There's integrity in humor because true laughter can't be forced
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/the-tina-fey-effect-funny-women-get-their-due/lubricate-laughter
Field Guide: Sarcastic Masters
They're smart, they're funny, and they know it.
Field Guide: Sarcastic Masters
They're smart, they're funny, and they know it.
But is cracking jokes that put other people down truly wise?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/the-tina-fey-effect-funny-women-get-their-due/field-guide-sarcastic-masters
Tina Fey Knows What Stinks
Tina Fey on the Internet
I couldn’t have said it better myself
Tina Fey Knows What Stinks
Tina Fey on the Internet
I couldn’t have said it better myself
Historian Adam Hochschild:
Lessons for the Antiwar Movement from the Pacifists of World War I
As the Obama administration continues to engage in military operations abroad, we turn now to the making—and sustaining—of war from a historical perspective. How do politicians galvanize populations to support wars? Why do people continue fighting in unpopular conflicts even after nationalist fervor has waned? In his new book, the historian Adam Hochschild examines these questions and many others through the prism of one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts, World War I. The book is called To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918.
As the Obama administration continues to engage in military operations abroad, we turn now to the making—and sustaining—of war from a historical perspective. How do politicians galvanize populations to support wars? Why do people continue fighting in unpopular conflicts even after nationalist fervor has waned? In his new book, the historian Adam Hochschild examines these questions and many others through the prism of one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts, World War I. The book is called To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Science of Attraction
With social networking and online dating becoming more and more popular, the images we choose to represent ourselves online have a massive impact upon how we're perceived. But what do these photographs say about us? Find out more in this video for Channel 4's Science of Attraction; introduced by Derren Brown and presented by Kat Akingbade and Charlie McDonnell.
As this Channel 4 Science of Attraction video (introduced by Derren Brown and presented by Kat Akingbade and Charlie McDonnell) will reveal, when it comes to your face, you and your partner have very different perspectives ... Also Charlie gets a very special make over!
The Value of Losing Money?
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/value-losing-money
Dr. Maroon hit a brick wall years ago when he experienced the three D's: death of his father, divorce, and a deep depression. He got on the treadmill one day and started running. He felt so good that he said it was the first night he slept well. And from then on, he was convinced that exercise was the key to maintaining his mental and physical health. He's now a 70-year-old ironman competitor (unfortunately,controversy still hounds him).
Some of life's most valuable lessons are taught to us when we hit a brick wall. You don't see it when you're in your personal hell, but typically that's when people find out what they're made of.
Why Smart People Believe Weird Things
http://www.skeptically.org/logicalthreads/id15.html
“When men wish to construct or support a theory, how they torture facts into their service!”
~ John Mackay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds , 1852
Smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.
Celebrities and the Damage They Can Do
If the recent hoopla about the royal wedding wasn’t enough to remind you, we live in a culture of celebrity, one where famous people command our attention and often pontificate on things they know nothing about. Obvious examples include the nonsense spewed out by Prince Charles about alternative medicine, and the former model Jenny McCarthy and her dangerous notion that vaccines are harmful because they cause autism. But these, of course, are easy targets. What are we to make of Ray Kurzweil (he of Singularity fame), who recently co-authored a book with a homeopath? Or of otherwise savvy political commentator Bill Maher, who doesn’t trust vaccines or anything coming from “Western” medicine? And then there are highly respectable intellectuals, like Stephen Hawking, who write off entire fields of inquiry (philosophy, in his case), without apparently knowing much about them.
So what is going on here? Why do so many people listen to Jenny McCarthy? And why do so many bright minds go public with ridiculous notions? Is there a pattern? Can we do something to defend ourselves and the public from the celebrity attack on reason?
Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
1. The Halo Effect: When Your Own Mind is a Mystery
~ John Mackay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds , 1852
Smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.
Celebrities and the Damage They Can Do
So what is going on here? Why do so many people listen to Jenny McCarthy? And why do so many bright minds go public with ridiculous notions? Is there a pattern? Can we do something to defend ourselves and the public from the celebrity attack on reason?
Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
1. The Halo Effect: When Your Own Mind is a Mystery
Friday, May 6, 2011
Why is the belief in global warming affected by temperature?
How does heat change your belief in global warming?
A hot day can change your belief in global warming
A hot day can change your belief in global warming
How The Language Of The Bible Has Changed
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/06/scholars-chase-bibles-changes_n_858774.htmlChanges to the Bible through the ages are being studied by New Orleans scholars
Scientists say free will probably doesn't exist, but urge: "Don't stop believing!"
One of the most striking findings to emerge recently in the science of free will is that when people believe—or are led to believe—that free will is just an illusion, they tend to become more antisocial.
Vohs and Schooler’s findings reveal a rather strange dilemma facing social scientists: if a deterministic understanding of human behavior encourages antisocial behavior, how can we scientists justify communicating our deterministic research findings? In fact, there’s a rather shocking line in this Psychological Science article, one that I nearly overlooked on my first pass. Vohs and Schooler write that:
If exposure to deterministic messages increases the likelihood of unethical actions, then identifying approaches for insulating the public against this danger becomes imperative.
Vohs and Schooler’s findings reveal a rather strange dilemma facing social scientists: if a deterministic understanding of human behavior encourages antisocial behavior, how can we scientists justify communicating our deterministic research findings? In fact, there’s a rather shocking line in this Psychological Science article, one that I nearly overlooked on my first pass. Vohs and Schooler write that:
If exposure to deterministic messages increases the likelihood of unethical actions, then identifying approaches for insulating the public against this danger becomes imperative.
Why free will may be an illusion
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2011/04/why-free-will-may-be-an-illusion.html
Does free will actually exist? Or are we all just biological robots?
In this video, see why modern neuroscience claims free will is an illusion and why psychology experiments suggest we may be better off believing the lie. Controlling our own destiny is so ingrained in modern society that its non-existence is constantly being challenged.
You can read more about free will in our full-length feature: "Grand delusions: Why we're determined to be free"
If you missed our other animated explainers, take a look at our videos about the meaning of dreams and how our lives are becoming more like video games.
Does free will actually exist? Or are we all just biological robots?
In this video, see why modern neuroscience claims free will is an illusion and why psychology experiments suggest we may be better off believing the lie. Controlling our own destiny is so ingrained in modern society that its non-existence is constantly being challenged.
You can read more about free will in our full-length feature: "Grand delusions: Why we're determined to be free"
If you missed our other animated explainers, take a look at our videos about the meaning of dreams and how our lives are becoming more like video games.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Is It Wrong To Celebrate Bin Laden's Death?
The Roman Catholic Church responded to the news of bin Laden's death with this statement: "Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of everyone before God and man, and hopes and pledges that every event is not an opportunity for a further growth of hatred, but of peace."
"I think that's on the mark," says Mike Hayes, a campus minister at the University at Buffalo. "As a Catholic Christian, I cannot celebrate the death of anyone, especially when it is done violently. Naturally, my human nature fights against that idealism, especially when I think of those who I lost personally that day and all those who lost their life on 11 September."
"I think that's on the mark," says Mike Hayes, a campus minister at the University at Buffalo. "As a Catholic Christian, I cannot celebrate the death of anyone, especially when it is done violently. Naturally, my human nature fights against that idealism, especially when I think of those who I lost personally that day and all those who lost their life on 11 September."
Bayesian Belief Polarization
Empirical studies have documented cases of belief polarization, where two people with opposing prior beliefs both strengthen their beliefs after observing the same evidence. Belief polarization is frequently offered as evidence of human irrationality, but we demonstrate that this phenomenon is consistent with a fully Bayesian approach to belief revision. Simulation results indicate that belief polarization is not only possible but relatively common within the set of Bayesian models that we consider.
Intuitive Theories of Mind: A Rational Approach to False Belief
We propose a rational analysis of children’s false belief reasoning. Our analysis realizes a continuous, evidencedriven transition between two causal Bayesian models of false belief. Both models support prediction and explanation; however, one model is less complex while
the other has greater explanatory resources. Because of this explanatory asymmetry, unexpected outcomes weigh more heavily against the simpler model. We test this account empirically by showing children the standard outcome of the false belief task and a novel “psychic” outcome. As expected, we find children whose explanations and predictions are consistent with each model, and an interaction between prediction and explanation. Critically, we find unexpected outcomes only induce children to move from predictions consistent with the simpler model to those consistent with the more complex one, never the reverse.
the other has greater explanatory resources. Because of this explanatory asymmetry, unexpected outcomes weigh more heavily against the simpler model. We test this account empirically by showing children the standard outcome of the false belief task and a novel “psychic” outcome. As expected, we find children whose explanations and predictions are consistent with each model, and an interaction between prediction and explanation. Critically, we find unexpected outcomes only induce children to move from predictions consistent with the simpler model to those consistent with the more complex one, never the reverse.
American Indian Groups Seek U.S. Apology for Labeling Bin Laden "Geronimo"
American Indian groups are seeking an apology for the U.S. military’s use of the name of the legendary Apache warrior, Geronimo, as a codename for Osama bin Laden. It has been widely reported bin Laden was dubbed "Geronimo" in the operation that took his life. The real-life Geronimo defended tribal lands against U.S. and Mexican armies in the 19th century. He died as a U.S. prisoner of war in 1909 after more than 20 years in captivity. In a letter to President Obama, the Fort Sill Apache Tribe said, "To equate Geronimo or any other Native American figure with Osama bin Laden, a mass murderer and cowardly terrorist, is painful and offensive to our Tribe and to all native Americans." The U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee is expected to address the controversy in a hearing today.
Native American Activist Winona LaDuke on Use of "Geronimo" as Code for Osama bin Laden: "The Continuation of the Wars against Indigenous People"
The Obama administration has sparked outrage in the Native American community following the revelation it used the name of the legendary Apache leader Geronimo as a secret code word during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Geronimo was an Apache leader who fought to preserve tribal lands against U.S. and Mexican forces in the 19th century. We get reaction from Native American activist and writer, Winona LaDuke. "The reality is that the military is full of native nomenclature,” says LaDuke. "You’ve got Black Hawk helicopters, Apache Longbow helicopters. You’ve got Tomahawk missiles. The term used when you leave a military base in a foreign country is to go 'off the reservation, into Indian Country.' So what is that messaging that is passed on? It is basically the continuation of the wars against indigenous people."
Winona LaDuke, Native American activist and writer. She lives and works on the White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota. She is the executive director of Honor the Earth. She has just published a new book, The Militarization of Indian Country.
Native American Activist, Author Winona LaDuke on "The Militarization of Indian Country" and Obama Admin’s "Lip Service" to Indigenous Rights
Native American Activist Winona LaDuke on Use of "Geronimo" as Code for Osama bin Laden: "The Continuation of the Wars against Indigenous People"
The Obama administration has sparked outrage in the Native American community following the revelation it used the name of the legendary Apache leader Geronimo as a secret code word during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Geronimo was an Apache leader who fought to preserve tribal lands against U.S. and Mexican forces in the 19th century. We get reaction from Native American activist and writer, Winona LaDuke. "The reality is that the military is full of native nomenclature,” says LaDuke. "You’ve got Black Hawk helicopters, Apache Longbow helicopters. You’ve got Tomahawk missiles. The term used when you leave a military base in a foreign country is to go 'off the reservation, into Indian Country.' So what is that messaging that is passed on? It is basically the continuation of the wars against indigenous people."
Winona LaDuke, Native American activist and writer. She lives and works on the White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota. She is the executive director of Honor the Earth. She has just published a new book, The Militarization of Indian Country.
Native American Activist, Author Winona LaDuke on "The Militarization of Indian Country" and Obama Admin’s "Lip Service" to Indigenous Rights
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/6/native_american_activist_author_winona_laduke
Native American activist and writer Winona LaDuke joins us to discuss her new book, The Militarization of Indian Country. LaDuke covers the legacy of the seizure of Native American lands by the U.S. government—which became sites for industrial and military use, including army bases, nuclear testing sites, coal and uranium mining—and how the military-industrial complex is encroaching on native communities. LaDuke lives and works on the White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota and is executive director of the group Honor the Earth. "Indian country is not to be assaulted by the U.S. military," says LaDuke.
Native American activist and writer Winona LaDuke joins us to discuss her new book, The Militarization of Indian Country. LaDuke covers the legacy of the seizure of Native American lands by the U.S. government—which became sites for industrial and military use, including army bases, nuclear testing sites, coal and uranium mining—and how the military-industrial complex is encroaching on native communities. LaDuke lives and works on the White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota and is executive director of the group Honor the Earth. "Indian country is not to be assaulted by the U.S. military," says LaDuke.
Do Obama/Osama slips of the tongue reveal racist attitudes?
Over the last few days, in the flurry of excited talk about the killing of Osama bin Laden, I’ve heard at least five slips of the tongue in which the name “Osama” was substituted for “Obama.” Do these "Freudian" slips of the tongue reveal racist attitudes equating the U.S. President with dangerous terrorists?
The Problem of Evil (Part 1): Osama bin Laden and Passion Chimpanzee
We all know the story of Osama bin Laden, and we are left wondering:
How is such evil possible?
Why Do People Resist the Temptation to Cheat?
You're an attractive person in a loving, committed, happy relationship. Still, there is temptation at every turn. Why don't you cheat? Why are some people better able at resisting this immediate temptation than others? New research suggests intriguing answers.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201105/why-do-people-resist-the-temptation-cheat
What Will Save Our Schools?
When it comes to learning, public vs. charter may be the subject du jour. But it's our big-picture values that deserve a closer look.
When Charter Schools Fail To Make the Grade
Is the problem the school, or the system?
When Charter Schools Fail To Make the Grade
Is the problem the school, or the system?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/what-will-save-our-schools/when-charter-schools-fail-make-the-grade
Learning How To Learn
The way we teach children puts the cart before the horse
Learning How To Learn
The way we teach children puts the cart before the horse
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/what-will-save-our-schools/learning-how-learn
Is Memorization Bad for Learning?
Who or what should we blame for our under-performing schools?
Is Memorization Bad for Learning?
Who or what should we blame for our under-performing schools?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/what-will-save-our-schools/is-memorization-bad-learning
America's Got Talent: The Science Edition
What we watch says a lot about the skills we value
America's Got Talent: The Science Edition
What we watch says a lot about the skills we value
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/what-will-save-our-schools/americas-got-talent-the-science-edition
Baby Reading in 1900 versus Today
Back to the future of reading, yesterday's solutions for today's children.
Baby Reading in 1900 versus Today
Back to the future of reading, yesterday's solutions for today's children.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/what-will-save-our-schools/baby-reading-in-1900-versus-today
How Social Media Opens Student Minds -- and Flattens Classroom Hierarchies
How Social Media Opens Student Minds -- and Flattens Classroom Hierarchies
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/what-will-save-our-schools/how-social-media-opens-student-minds-and-flattens-clas
Teaching without Coercion: Lessons from Hunter-Gatherers
Teaching without Coercion: Lessons from Hunter-Gatherers
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/what-will-save-our-schools/teaching-without-coercion-lessons-hunter-gatherers
Reform American Education, Reform America?
Reform American Education, Reform America?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201104/what-will-save-our-schools/reform-american-education-reform-america
Real Education (Reform) Starts at Home
Real Education (Reform) Starts at Home
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Bin Laden in Life and Death: Who Knew What When?
From exultation to error-driven conspiracy theory, reactions to Bin Laden's death reveal our thirst for revenge, distrust of official channels, and a whole lot more.
Do You Believe Everything the Government Tells You?
Why we see official info as suspect
Field Guide to the Conspiracy Theorist: Dark Minds
When does incredulity become paranoia? Radio personality and filmmaker Alex Jones believes an evil cabal of bankers rules the world.
The Bin Laden Story Isn't True
The bin Laden assassination narrative was created to make us feel good
Double Take 'Toons: Who Knew?
Double Take Toons: Can You Hide A Man In Pakistan?
Do You Believe Everything the Government Tells You?
Why we see official info as suspect
Field Guide to the Conspiracy Theorist: Dark Minds
When does incredulity become paranoia? Radio personality and filmmaker Alex Jones believes an evil cabal of bankers rules the world.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/do-you-believe-everything-the-gove
Why We Lie About War
The violence behind fairy-tale heroism
Portraying death and killing as heroic requires artifice
Why We Lie About War
The violence behind fairy-tale heroism
Portraying death and killing as heroic requires artifice
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/why-we-lie-about-war
The Specter—and Spectacle—of Death
The dark side of vengeance
The dark side of vengeance
Revenge is sweet, but should it be?
The Specter—and Spectacle—of Death
The dark side of vengeance
The dark side of vengeance
Revenge is sweet, but should it be?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/the-specter-and-spectacle-death
A Generation of Violence
Why this week's "celebration" is comprised of kids
The 9/11 Generation Speaks
Why American youth celebrated
A Generation of Violence
Why this week's "celebration" is comprised of kids
The 9/11 Generation Speaks
Why American youth celebrated
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/generation-violence
Beyond Good vs. Evil
How Obama should have framed Bin Laden's fall
Bin Laden Is Dead: Cue the Cheerleaders
Playing Bin Laden's game is a losing proposition
Beyond Good vs. Evil
How Obama should have framed Bin Laden's fall
Bin Laden Is Dead: Cue the Cheerleaders
Playing Bin Laden's game is a losing proposition
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/beyond-good-vs-evil
Daydream Believer
Was 9/11 an inside job?
Belief in Conspiracy Theories
9/11 was an inside job!
Daydream Believer
Was 9/11 an inside job?
Belief in Conspiracy Theories
9/11 was an inside job!
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/daydream-believer
How Hollywood Has Washington Become?
Who sets policy for assassinations ops, the CIA or MGM?
How Hollywood Has Washington Become?
Who sets policy for assassinations ops, the CIA or MGM?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/how-hollywood-has-washington-becom
What Would Gandi and Dr. King Say?
Just what is "a great day for America"?
Bin Laden’s death does not mark a “good day for America.”
What Would Gandi and Dr. King Say?
Just what is "a great day for America"?
Bin Laden’s death does not mark a “good day for America.”
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/what-would-gandi-and-dr-king-say
This Is Not America
America Must Be Better!
This Is Not America
America Must Be Better!
I Heard the News Today, Oh Boy
Understanding the Bin Laden news reports using social networking
Understanding the Bin Laden news reports using social networking
The Bin Laden Story Isn't True
The bin Laden assassination narrative was created to make us feel good
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/the-bin-laden-story-isnt-true
How Are We Supposed To Feel?
How does finding bin Laden affect our mental and emotional health?
How Are We Supposed To Feel?
How does finding bin Laden affect our mental and emotional health?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/bin-laden-in-life-and-death-who-knew-what-when/how-are-we-supposed-feel
A Hit of Heroism
Telling Children About the Killing of Osama bin Ladin
Stories shape a child's moral character
A Hit of Heroism
Telling Children About the Killing of Osama bin Ladin
Stories shape a child's moral character
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Religion, now with aliens
In May of last year, Father Gabriel Funes attracted a few sideways glances after he said that not only could intelligent aliens exist on other worlds but they would be free from original sin since there’s nothing in the Bible about aliens eating the forbidden fruit. It wasn’t just a random statement of a rank and file priest. Funes is an astronomer and the director of the Vatican’s observatory, so when he stated his opinion in a Vatican newspaper, ....
Greetings, we are here to convert you?
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