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.

Real-time avatar generation from Japan

Head tracking for VR with the Wii remote

It's pretty freaking neat. I think someone needs to write an SF love story about a couple who can't touch, but can see each other through such a virtual window. Thanks to Chriz for the link.

HRex robot conquers any terrain with manic thrashing

This demonstration video of robotic locomotion is amusingly robust.

Thanks to Chriz for the link.

The History of LOLcats

And you thought it all began with Happy Cat's famous "I can has cheezburger?" Well, ur rwong!

The History of LOLcats

I didn't know anyone could skate like that

SWISSPASS 2 : GRIMSELL jean yves blondeau buggy rollin

Embedding has been disabled, so you'll just have to click the link to see it. This is how elves skate. At 70mph. And passing motorcycles.

Thanks to Chriz for the link.

I didn't know anyone could play guitar this well

This fellow must be an elf, to play like that. You can see by his face it is quite an effort.

Here's another for good measure. God, I love Bach.

Faithless - BOMBS

Just...wow.

Space: 1899

OMG this is a riot. Thanks to my friend Scott for the link.

Amazing laser magic

Thanks to Chriz for the link!

Naomi Wolf's 10 Steps to Fascism vs. Stephen Colbert

This is some great stuff.

Empty Walls

A couple of friends (and former coworkers) did vfx for this video. Even though I can't really abide most music videos, I like this one.

And now for something completely charming

Dancing is one of the most sublime human activities. Thanks to Lotus for the link and cheering me up!

Vectors - An FSX Film

Here is the new video from Lotus! You can get the high-res download here.

Pebble's minimalist nostalgia journey

I love YouTube.

Ever since hearing about Steve Reich's music at a George Winston concert I was hooked on the minimalist movement. It's a thrill now to be able to see his stuff performed in various guises.

Here is a quintessential (which means, literally, "fifth essence") minimalist piece: Reich's Clapping Music. First, the standard version:


And now performed solo. Bravo!


I'm also fond of composer John Adams. Here are two versions of his "A Short Ride In A Fast Machine". This is the original scoring:


And here it is played on balinese gamelans. Wow.