Elizabeth's (educated) comments on 'Selma" the film

a college friend and writer knows of what she speaks

cognitive enhancement

http://johannhari.com/2008/05/06/my-experiment-with-smart-drugs/

Republicans reject anthropogenic climate change because they're paid to

I have said before that deniers for the most part believe that climate change is occuring and that it is man-made, but they vehemently reject it because they don't like what it implies - that we, the world population, must change our ways.

Included in this clear analysis of the origin of climate denial is the real reason driving it all - the Koch brothers paid the politicians to deny.  It's about the money, plain and simple.  Take the Keystone XL pipeline - the brothers stand to make $100B from it, by some estimates.  Talk about motivation!

Also included in that piece is video of Congress ridiculing and ignoring John Holdren, one of my favorite professors in college and now the President's Science Advisor.  Watch it and get your dander up!

current Afghan opium profits are two times larger than peak Colombian cocaine profits

according to Matt Aikens, author of a current Rolling Stone article

more of "the future has arrived meme"

Deep learning article with TedX talk is well worth checking out - listen to the talk all the way to the end.  h/t to Bruce and his "handover species" meme for this.  Note that 2020 is when the speaker says we will see strong impacts of deep learning, including employment impacts.  As I said to Ross and Julie, it is hard to advise what young people should do beyond being ready for major changes - it is a mistake to think that the 2020s will be easily recognizable.

system-p0rn: me want! more of my "the future has arrived" meme

Slashdot on Nvidia

all about that bass!

http://bassonthebroadband.com/

I miss Gregory Bateson so much

I wish Gregory could participate in discussions like this: what is life lecture by Jeremy England.
So much is happening that would interest him, one of my greatest teachers...

I remember one assignment he gave: describe what a crab carcass displays that shows it is the result of life.

another good Chris Rock interview, by Charlie Rose

http://www.charlierose.com/watch/60488941

the likelhood of economic downturn and unpredictability

the end of endless growth

the science of life arising from inanimate matter

the science of life arising from inanimate matter

9 signs the Kochs have created their own national political party

9 signs the Kochs have created their own national political party