Do subatomic particles have free will?

If humans have the least bit of free will, then subatomic particles do too, claim two scientists. Read more here.

How an emotion (compassion) became a virtue

Seems the classical world was neutral (even a bit disapproving) toward compassion, as it was seen as a lack of objectivity. It wasn't until the 18th century that it began to be seen as a virtue.

Notre Dame

I've been listening to hours and hours of Joseph Campbell's lectures on mythology. He's really a fascinating fellow. Yesterday I listened to the episode of Bill Moyer's series Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth entitled Love and the Goddess, where he spoke of Christianity's gentle reintroduction of Goddess worship with the rise of interest in the Virgin Mary during the middle ages. He pointed out that the cathedrals which sprang up in those times can be thought of as a womb, wherein one can experience their own 'virgin birth', that of a spiritual rebirth.
I went to look at pictures of cathedrals, and was forced to agree. In particular, the entrances to cathedrals have a very strong resonance with the organs of childbirth -- quite beautifully so. Take a peek.
That's a vagina if I ever saw one. (smiles)

Why today's kids don't understand math

This is the NEW New Math, and it's no wonder kids have no understanding of mathematics.

By the way, this kind of complete obfuscation is taking place in every subject. Not just math.
And it's deliberate.
This is how you turn people into cattle.

On-air awakening

It is not often you get to hear someone wake up ON AIR to the complete puppet show that is our political system. But this is a delightful example. Talk show host Mark Larsen interviews Mitt Romney and blows a fuse. It's beautiful.

Final score: Romney 0, Paul 1

BBC documentary on the attempted US coup, 1930s

It was plotted by a number of powerful American industrialists. And guess who was in the group? Prescott Bush, Dubya's grandfather. Hmm.... They were going to install an openly fascist regime after deposing FDR. Unfuckingbelievable. This is not fringe stuff, this is real history.

Part One:

Here is the rest of the documentary: Part Two | Part Three

Dean Radin, PhD, on psi phenomenon

Dean Radin is a scientist investigating the reality of psi phenomenon, and has some interesting things to say. It turns out that there is quite a lot of evidence for it, and it is starting to be less taboo, as a subject of study or even discussion.

If you want more detail, check out this longer lecture Radin gave at Google. It's quite good.

Anais Mitchell - 1984

This is a pretty, funny, and saddening song. She reminds me a lot of Jane Siberry, musically.

Hacking Democracy

Here's a jaw-dropping HBO documentary on the problems with electronic voting machines.

Nerd sniping