Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Perfect English
I'd like to apologize in advance to any Iraqi viewers, but this is too funny to pass up.
THANKS, Ada!
THANKS, Ada!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Urban Homestead
Wouldn't You Like to Have this Yard?
Less flashy, but full of life-style details:
Homegrown Revolution (Trailer) from Path to Freedom on Vimeo. |
Less flashy, but full of life-style details:
Baking Soda, Huh?
Baking Soda can Cure Cancer?
Maybe, maybe not. One thing I know for sure: If there's anything cheap that can cure cancer, the drug companies will try to suppress it. We'll never beat cancer (or any of humanity's other problems) until we beat the root of all these problems.
Maybe, maybe not. One thing I know for sure: If there's anything cheap that can cure cancer, the drug companies will try to suppress it. We'll never beat cancer (or any of humanity's other problems) until we beat the root of all these problems.
Monday, December 14, 2009
GreenPeace and Kimberley-Clark - Wow!
I just followed this amazing set of videos through the past few years showing GreenPeace pecking at Kimberly-Clark (the makers of Kleenex and other popular tissue papers) for using wood cut from Ancient Forests.
And it Worked! Kimberly-Clark actually changed their policies on where they get wood.
Look at the Results on their PR page!
GreenPeace has a "Thank Kimberly-Clark" page set up so you can show this corporation that saving the world is good for it's image.
Thank Kimberly-Clark!
Congratulations to both GreenPeace AND Kimberly-Clark. Well done!
| It may cause giggles, but it's no laughing matter. If you want to help save the planet in one more little way, please check out the GreenPeace Tissue Guide! | |
| Here's a radical approach. It makes me feel a bit lame about my own lame contributions. After all, anyone can look up videos and post them on a nearly unseen blog, but these guys are passionate enough to make some really rebellious moves. It's impressive.... |
And it Worked! Kimberly-Clark actually changed their policies on where they get wood.
Look at the Results on their PR page!
GreenPeace has a "Thank Kimberly-Clark" page set up so you can show this corporation that saving the world is good for it's image.
Thank Kimberly-Clark!
Congratulations to both GreenPeace AND Kimberly-Clark. Well done!
GreenPeace and Copenhagen
Give the Politicians in Copenhagen a Shake
They're not going to do anything for you if you don't force them! Politicians get all their money from corporations who's ONLY purpose is to generate income. Corporations don't care about the planet - about humanity or the future - and Politicians can see only as far as the donations they need to get elected. The only way to get them to clean up is to let them know you're watching!
Please... Sign the Petetion!
They're not going to do anything for you if you don't force them! Politicians get all their money from corporations who's ONLY purpose is to generate income. Corporations don't care about the planet - about humanity or the future - and Politicians can see only as far as the donations they need to get elected. The only way to get them to clean up is to let them know you're watching!
Please... Sign the Petetion!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Stillwater - Mind Bender
What can I say?
About Stillwater:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillwater_(band)
About Stillwater:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillwater_(band)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Codex Seraphinianus
I'd Buy This Book
And here's another presentation of the art from that book.
Excerpts from 'Codex Seraphinianus'. It was written and illustrated by Italian graphic designer and architect, Luigi Serafini during the late 1970's. The Codex is a lavishly produced book that purports to be an encyclopedia for an imaginary world in a parallel universe, with copious comments in an incomprehensible language. It is written in a florid script, entirely invented and completely illegible, and illustrated with watercolor paintings. The Codex is divided into a number of sections (each with its own table of contents, the page numbers are in base-21 or base-22!) on subjects such as plants, animals, inhabitants, machines, clothing, architecture, numbers, cards, chemical analyses, labyrinth, Babel, foods... There are panoramic scenes of incomprehensible festivals, and diagrams of plumbing!
The Codex is to that imaginary world what Diderot's Encyclopedia is to ours. Obviously, Serafini was not just attempting to create a consistent alternate world. Rather, the Codex is sort of an elaborate parody of the real world.
Music by Penguin Cafe Orchestra, 'Chartered Flight', and 'Steady State'
--DistantMirrors
Well.. Now I wouldn't buy that book.
And here's another presentation of the art from that book.
Excerpts from 'Codex Seraphinianus'. It was written and illustrated by Italian graphic designer and architect, Luigi Serafini during the late 1970's. The Codex is a lavishly produced book that purports to be an encyclopedia for an imaginary world in a parallel universe, with copious comments in an incomprehensible language. It is written in a florid script, entirely invented and completely illegible, and illustrated with watercolor paintings. The Codex is divided into a number of sections (each with its own table of contents, the page numbers are in base-21 or base-22!) on subjects such as plants, animals, inhabitants, machines, clothing, architecture, numbers, cards, chemical analyses, labyrinth, Babel, foods... There are panoramic scenes of incomprehensible festivals, and diagrams of plumbing!
The Codex is to that imaginary world what Diderot's Encyclopedia is to ours. Obviously, Serafini was not just attempting to create a consistent alternate world. Rather, the Codex is sort of an elaborate parody of the real world.
Music by Penguin Cafe Orchestra, 'Chartered Flight', and 'Steady State'
--DistantMirrors
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Salvador Dali on "What's My Line?"
OMFG What a Fun Show this Was
Salvador Dali is very famous for his paintings of warped time pieces, but apparently he considered himself a much more well-rounded individual. Here he's the guest star on an old TV show, What's My Line (line meaning line of work), in which the blindfolded panel - all regulars with great talent and humor - were playing a sort of warped 20 questions to figure out whom they are interviewing.
Here's a great taste of his art, if you're curious.
It was so much fun to get a more personal image of this great artist. Thanks yet again, DM!
Salvador Dali is very famous for his paintings of warped time pieces, but apparently he considered himself a much more well-rounded individual. Here he's the guest star on an old TV show, What's My Line (line meaning line of work), in which the blindfolded panel - all regulars with great talent and humor - were playing a sort of warped 20 questions to figure out whom they are interviewing.
Here's a great taste of his art, if you're curious.
It was so much fun to get a more personal image of this great artist. Thanks yet again, DM!
Ravel's Bolero
How to make a Bolero
I've always adored this song - it takes me away to a dreamy place when I hear it. Now, from DistantMirrors' favorites, it's such a great pleasure to watch how it's made. Enjoy!
Ravel's Bolero by the orchestra directed by the Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu.
I've always adored this song - it takes me away to a dreamy place when I hear it. Now, from DistantMirrors' favorites, it's such a great pleasure to watch how it's made. Enjoy!
Ravel's Bolero by the orchestra directed by the Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Pompeii, Italy - Ruins
WOW!
Click the little square with arrows (in the top right corner) click the arrows on the pale white lines to follow the path drag the mouse left and right What a tour!
View Larger Map
Pompeii on WikiPedia
Thanks to Ada!
View Larger Map
Pompeii on WikiPedia
Thanks to Ada!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Physicist Richard Feynman
Richard Feynman
Charming, Informative, Thought-Provoking.
Richard Phillips Feynman (May 11, 1918 – February 15, 1988) was an American physicist known for the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics and the physics of the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as work in particle physics (he proposed the parton model). For his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, Feynman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, together with Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga. Feynman developed a widely used pictorial representation scheme for the mathematical expressions governing the behavior of subatomic particles, which later became known as Feynman diagrams. During his lifetime and after his death, Feynman became one of the most publicly known scientists in the world.
More on Feynman:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman
Charming, Informative, Thought-Provoking.
Richard Phillips Feynman (May 11, 1918 – February 15, 1988) was an American physicist known for the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics and the physics of the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as work in particle physics (he proposed the parton model). For his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, Feynman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, together with Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga. Feynman developed a widely used pictorial representation scheme for the mathematical expressions governing the behavior of subatomic particles, which later became known as Feynman diagrams. During his lifetime and after his death, Feynman became one of the most publicly known scientists in the world.
More on Feynman:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Erik Satie - Gnossienne No.1
Thanks to Ada for directing me to the youtube channel of a user named DistantMirrors, where there are many songs like this with the really cool art. Enjoy!
Composer: Erik Satie
Played by: Pascal Rogé
Artwork: Remedios Varo
About Satie
-- From WikiPedia
Alfred Eric Leslie Satie (Honfleur, 17 May 1866 -- Paris, 1 July 1925) was a French composer and pianist. Starting with his first composition in 1884, he signed his name as Erik Satie.
Satie was introduced as a "gymnopedist" in 1887, shortly before writing his most famous compositions, the Gymnopédies. Later, he also referred to himself as a "phonometrograph" or "phonometrician" (meaning "someone who measures (and writes down) sounds") preferring this designation to that of "musician," after having been called "a clumsy but subtle technician" in a book on contemporary French composers published in 1911.
In addition to his body of music, Satie also left a remarkable set of writings, having contributed work for a range of publications, from the dadaist 391 to the American Vanity Fair. Although in later life he prided himself on always publishing his work under his own name, in the late nineteenth century he appears to have used pseudonyms such as Virginie Lebeau and François de Paule in some of his published writings.
Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde. He was a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, repetitive music and the Theatre of the Absurd.
"Gnossienne" is the name given to several piano pieces by French composer Erik Satie in the late 19th century.
Satie's coining of the word "gnossienne" was one of the rare occasions when a composer used a new term to indicate a new "type" of composition. Satie had and would use many novel names for his compositions; for example, "ogive" had been the name of an architectural element until Satie used it as the name for a composition, the Ogives Similarly with "vexations", "croquis et agaceries" and so on—but "gnossienne" was a word that did not exist before Satie used it to indicate a composition. "Gnossienne" appears to be derived from the word gnosis; Satie was involved in gnostic sects and movements at the time that he began to compose the Gnossiennes. However, some published versions claim that the word derives from Cretan "knossos" or "gnossus" and link the Gnossiennes to Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur myth.
The Gnossiennes were composed by Satie in the decade following the composition of the Trois Sarabandes (1887) and the Trois Gymnopédies (1888). Like these Sarabandes and Gymnopédies, the Gnossiennes are often considered dances. It is not certain that this qualification comes from Satie himself—the sarabande and the Gymnopaedia were at least historically known as dances.
The musical vocabulary of the Gnossiennes is a continuation of that of the Gymnopédies (a development that had started with the 1886 Ogives → Sarabandes → Gymnopédies → Gnossiennes) later leading to more harmonic experimentation in compositions like the Danses Gothiques. These series of compositions are all at the core of Satie's characteristic 19th century style, and in this sense differ from his early salon compositions (like the 1885 "Waltz" compositions published in 1887), his turn-of-the-century cabaret compositions (like the Je te Veux Waltz), and his post-Schola Cantorum piano solo compositions, starting with the Préludes flasques in 1912.
[from Wikipedia]
Composer: Erik Satie
Played by: Pascal Rogé
Artwork: Remedios Varo
About Satie
-- From WikiPedia
Alfred Eric Leslie Satie (Honfleur, 17 May 1866 -- Paris, 1 July 1925) was a French composer and pianist. Starting with his first composition in 1884, he signed his name as Erik Satie.
Satie was introduced as a "gymnopedist" in 1887, shortly before writing his most famous compositions, the Gymnopédies. Later, he also referred to himself as a "phonometrograph" or "phonometrician" (meaning "someone who measures (and writes down) sounds") preferring this designation to that of "musician," after having been called "a clumsy but subtle technician" in a book on contemporary French composers published in 1911.
In addition to his body of music, Satie also left a remarkable set of writings, having contributed work for a range of publications, from the dadaist 391 to the American Vanity Fair. Although in later life he prided himself on always publishing his work under his own name, in the late nineteenth century he appears to have used pseudonyms such as Virginie Lebeau and François de Paule in some of his published writings.
Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde. He was a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, repetitive music and the Theatre of the Absurd.
"Gnossienne" is the name given to several piano pieces by French composer Erik Satie in the late 19th century.
Satie's coining of the word "gnossienne" was one of the rare occasions when a composer used a new term to indicate a new "type" of composition. Satie had and would use many novel names for his compositions; for example, "ogive" had been the name of an architectural element until Satie used it as the name for a composition, the Ogives Similarly with "vexations", "croquis et agaceries" and so on—but "gnossienne" was a word that did not exist before Satie used it to indicate a composition. "Gnossienne" appears to be derived from the word gnosis; Satie was involved in gnostic sects and movements at the time that he began to compose the Gnossiennes. However, some published versions claim that the word derives from Cretan "knossos" or "gnossus" and link the Gnossiennes to Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur myth.
The Gnossiennes were composed by Satie in the decade following the composition of the Trois Sarabandes (1887) and the Trois Gymnopédies (1888). Like these Sarabandes and Gymnopédies, the Gnossiennes are often considered dances. It is not certain that this qualification comes from Satie himself—the sarabande and the Gymnopaedia were at least historically known as dances.
The musical vocabulary of the Gnossiennes is a continuation of that of the Gymnopédies (a development that had started with the 1886 Ogives → Sarabandes → Gymnopédies → Gnossiennes) later leading to more harmonic experimentation in compositions like the Danses Gothiques. These series of compositions are all at the core of Satie's characteristic 19th century style, and in this sense differ from his early salon compositions (like the 1885 "Waltz" compositions published in 1887), his turn-of-the-century cabaret compositions (like the Je te Veux Waltz), and his post-Schola Cantorum piano solo compositions, starting with the Préludes flasques in 1912.
[from Wikipedia]
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Some Funny Commercials
Here are some funny ones from around the world.
Faster Action
Free Eye Testing for Pensioners
Don't forget the Bills
Large Screen TV
That Killed Him
Fed-Ex Delivers Package after 5 Years
Faster Action
Free Eye Testing for Pensioners
Don't forget the Bills
Large Screen TV
That Killed Him
Fed-Ex Delivers Package after 5 Years
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Split-Brain Behavioral Experiments
Fascinating
This film shows an experiment that lets you see "how powerful non-conscious processes are at influencing our conscious self - our personal self."
This film shows an experiment that lets you see "how powerful non-conscious processes are at influencing our conscious self - our personal self."
| There's a lot more going on in our heads than we think! "The mind is made up of a constellation of semi-independent agents, and these agents - these processes - can carry on a vast number of activities outside of our conscious awareness." |
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Good Advice from Loren - lorax2013
This dude's pretty cool.
All his videos are the same - he's sitting in front of a blank background talking about a wide variety of subjects. Here are a few I enjoyed.
There are a lot more videos like these on Loren's YouTube Page.
All his videos are the same - he's sitting in front of a blank background talking about a wide variety of subjects. Here are a few I enjoyed.
There are a lot more videos like these on Loren's YouTube Page.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Future Shape of Sound - Doomed
I recently played around with SoundCloud.com - There's some interesting stuff there. I kinda got hooked on these "Future Shape of Sound" guys. They have a lot of really strange (and even some HORRIBLE stuff), but these songs caught my ear. Enjoy!
Doomed
Great Bluesy Stuff - I really love this one.
As Soon As I C U
Jazzy Secret-Agent Feel.
Move On
Sounds like old-time blues.
Doomed
Great Bluesy Stuff - I really love this one.
As Soon As I C U
Jazzy Secret-Agent Feel.
Move On
Sounds like old-time blues.
Perpetual Jazzile - Simulated Thunderstorm
Coolest Thing I've Ever Seen a Choir Do
I rarely miss the opportunity to sit and listen as a thunderstorm approaches, rages, then fades away. These guys have really captured it.
Here's the same film, but with the Storm, followed by a Song
I rarely miss the opportunity to sit and listen as a thunderstorm approaches, rages, then fades away. These guys have really captured it.
Here's the same film, but with the Storm, followed by a Song
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dolphins - Bubble Rings
Dolphins Blowing Bubble Rings
Sea World Commentary on the Bubble Rings
More Cool Dolphin Stuff
Sea World Commentary on the Bubble Rings
More Cool Dolphin Stuff
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sand Animation
It's amazing to watch these "Sand Animation" stories come together.
Kseniya Simonova
Ilana Yahav
Japanese
Thanks, Ada.
Kseniya Simonova
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
Ilana Yahav
| Love 2008 | Green Dream |
Japanese
Thanks, Ada.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Politics in my Garden
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 - HR 875
This is a poorly constructed news article. It seems to have been created with the idea of making both the interviewees and the reporter look a little bit strange.
However... I think it's important to be aware of the subject here.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Admiration - Snopes
Snopes.com reports on the authenticity of the chain emails that you receive. If you can pick the right search term from an email, you'll probably find it in Snopes' search.
Snopes' reports don't just tell you whether a chain email is true or false - they also report on their investigation information and provide links to statements on the websites of the parties in question which validate their determination of whether the email is true or false.
For Example: In their article "Schools in the UK (or Kentucky) no longer teach about The Holocaust for fear of offending Muslim students?", there appear links to various press releases (on the web sites of the victims of this hoax) that deny the claims made in the email.
Snopes' reports don't just tell you whether a chain email is true or false - they also report on their investigation information and provide links to statements on the websites of the parties in question which validate their determination of whether the email is true or false.
For Example: In their article "Schools in the UK (or Kentucky) no longer teach about The Holocaust for fear of offending Muslim students?", there appear links to various press releases (on the web sites of the victims of this hoax) that deny the claims made in the email.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Admiration - FamFamFam
I like this guy
I want to express my admiration for this guy, who creates something I need, loves doing it, and shares it freely. Thanks, Mark!
http://www.famfamfam.com
"I find churning out little web icons fairly relaxing. Other people do icons better, but I love free stuff, and I'm sure you do too." --Mark James
I want to express my admiration for this guy, who creates something I need, loves doing it, and shares it freely. Thanks, Mark!
http://www.famfamfam.com
"I find churning out little web icons fairly relaxing. Other people do icons better, but I love free stuff, and I'm sure you do too." --Mark James
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wolfram Alpha
A Pretty Cool Reference/Search Engine
This isn't like google or yahoo search - this is a search for "systematic knowledge". Here are some Examples
Dates/Times
Easter 1910, 20 million years ago
Math
pi to 1000 digits, Factor a Polynomial
Music
C major 7th chord
E blues phrygian (scale)
And Here's a fascinating one...
10 peanut M&Ms
This isn't like google or yahoo search - this is a search for "systematic knowledge". Here are some Examples
Dates/Times
Easter 1910, 20 million years ago
Math
pi to 1000 digits, Factor a Polynomial
Music
C major 7th chord
E blues phrygian (scale)
And Here's a fascinating one...
10 peanut M&Ms
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Hierarchy of Needs
Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Need's
Here's a short section copied from this wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow
Abraham Harold Maslow (April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970) was an American psychologist. He is noted for his conceptualization of a "hierarchy of human needs", and is considered the founder of humanistic psychology.
Maslow has set up a hierarchy of five levels of basic needs. Beyond these needs, higher levels of needs exist. These include needs for understanding, esthetic appreciation and purely spiritual needs. In the levels of the five basic needs, the person does not feel the second need until the demands of the first have been satisfied, nor the third until the second has been satisfied, and so on. Maslow's basic needs are as follows:
Physiological Needs
These are biological needs. They consist of needs for oxygen, food, water, sex, and a relatively constant body temperature. They are the strongest needs because if a person were deprived of all needs, the physiological ones would come first in the person's search for satisfaction.
Safety Needs
When all physiological needs are satisfied and are no longer controlling thoughts and behaviors, the needs for security can become active. Adults have little awareness of their security needs except in times of emergency or periods of disorganization in the social structure (such as widespread rioting). Children often display the signs of insecurity and the need to be safe.
Needs of Love, Affection and Belonging
When the needs for safety and for physiological well-being are satisfied, the next class of needs for love, affection and belonging can emerge. Maslow states that people seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This involves both giving and receiving love, affection and the sense of belonging.
Needs for Esteem
When the first three classes of needs are satisfied, the needs for esteem can become dominant. These involve needs for both self-esteem and for the esteem a person gets from others. Humans have a need for a stable, firmly based, high level of self-respect, and respect from others. When these needs are satisfied, the person feels self-confident and valuable as a person in the world. When these needs are frustrated, the person feels inferior, weak, helpless and worthless.
Needs for Self-Actualization
When all of the foregoing needs are satisfied, then and only then are the needs for self-actualization activated. Maslow describes self-actualization as a person's need to be and do that which the person was "born to do." "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write." These needs make themselves felt in signs of restlessness. The person feels on edge, tense, lacking something, in short, restless. If a person is hungry, unsafe, not loved or accepted, or lacking self-esteem, it is very easy to know what the person is restless about. It is not always clear what a person wants when there is a need for self-actualization.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Lions are Enough for an "Oh My!"
African Lions Accept Man As One of Their Own
Attacked by an African lion - Steve Leonard - My Life with Animals: BBC wildlife
Christian The Lion - the full story in HQ with Sigur Ros soundtrack
Here's the start of Christian's story has annoying one-word-at-a-time text, but it such a great story - really worth watching/reading. Note that the video below continues the story (from about half way through this one) and is much more informative, but skips the first part (shown here).
Christian the lion - Full ending
Attacked by an African lion - Steve Leonard - My Life with Animals: BBC wildlife
Christian The Lion - the full story in HQ with Sigur Ros soundtrack
Here's the start of Christian's story has annoying one-word-at-a-time text, but it such a great story - really worth watching/reading. Note that the video below continues the story (from about half way through this one) and is much more informative, but skips the first part (shown here).
Christian the lion - Full ending
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Anything You Can Do
Anything You can do
This is one of my old favorites. I love the animation as well as the song.
And a little bit of outdated (but still funny) political material.
This is one of my old favorites. I love the animation as well as the song.
And a little bit of outdated (but still funny) political material.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Quantum Physics Wow
The Infamous Double Slit Experiment
I watched this to the end and my jaw dropped - it really blew my mind. Then I got to thinking, and I asked myself... what is that little eyeball thing? How is it looking for electrons? Is it firing a stream of some tiny particle out at that one electron and watching to see what bounces back? Is possible to "passively" look at an electron? Referring strictly to the end of this - what seems to be the conclusion there - my instincts tell me this situation is a bit more complicated than Dr. Quantum makes it seem.
I watched this to the end and my jaw dropped - it really blew my mind. Then I got to thinking, and I asked myself... what is that little eyeball thing? How is it looking for electrons? Is it firing a stream of some tiny particle out at that one electron and watching to see what bounces back? Is possible to "passively" look at an electron? Referring strictly to the end of this - what seems to be the conclusion there - my instincts tell me this situation is a bit more complicated than Dr. Quantum makes it seem.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Green Buildings
Green Building Design
This is an advertisement, but it has some interesting facts. (Plus, the video was designed by my cousin, Eric.)
Nice job, Eric.
:-)
This is an advertisement, but it has some interesting facts. (Plus, the video was designed by my cousin, Eric.)
Nice job, Eric.
:-)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Media Honesty
Hannity Crops
Whether you're a republican, democrat, or other; whether you love Obama, hate Obama, or something in between; whether you're interested in any of this or not... I think it's important to be aware of just how deceptive popular media can be.
"There is no doubt that all media outlets are guilty of "creative editing" but when it becomes a pattern, we must question the fairness and balance when it is used as an attempt to paint a picture that just isn't real." --Jim Pryde
Thanks, Jim, for this enlightening clip.
Whether you're a republican, democrat, or other; whether you love Obama, hate Obama, or something in between; whether you're interested in any of this or not... I think it's important to be aware of just how deceptive popular media can be.
"There is no doubt that all media outlets are guilty of "creative editing" but when it becomes a pattern, we must question the fairness and balance when it is used as an attempt to paint a picture that just isn't real." --Jim Pryde
Thanks, Jim, for this enlightening clip.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Robot Dancer
Talent 2008 [DK] - Robotboys (Nick & Jeppe) semifinale
Thanks Ada for finding it, and Eddie for finding it on YouTube.
Thanks Ada for finding it, and Eddie for finding it on YouTube.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Consciousness
Here some videos about various ideas concerning consciousness. It's more like a collage of things that tickled my fancy. I don't necessarily endorse any of them, but I found them all interesting. If you have an hour or two to spare, you should check them out. There are some fascinating concepts here, and you might even discover something life-changing... Who knows?
Consciousness, Qualia, and Self
--Dr. V.S. Ramachandran
Levels of Consciousness, Spiral Dynamics
This video is the first in a series about bipolar disorder, but most of the discussion is the narrator's interpretation of Spiral Dynamics, a theory of human development that describes levels of human consciousness.
Dean Radin: The Global Consciousness Project
Scientific evidence indicating global consciousness
Amit Goswami, Quantum Physics & Consciousness
The Primacy of Consciousness
This speaker, Peter Russel, a "fellow of" the Institute of Noetic Sciences [noetic.org].
Consciousness, Qualia, and Self
--Dr. V.S. Ramachandran
| Vilayanur Ramachandran is a smart guy with a lot of interesting things to say, as well as a great way of explaining things so that I can understand them. This is only one of many great videos I've seen by him with discussion of consciousness (and other fascinating psychological phenomena). This video is full of technical terms, but not understanding them really does not detract from the meaning. He points out some amazing concepts that we're all probably not normally aware of, but that seem obvious (at least to me) once he talks about them. |
Levels of Consciousness, Spiral Dynamics
This video is the first in a series about bipolar disorder, but most of the discussion is the narrator's interpretation of Spiral Dynamics, a theory of human development that describes levels of human consciousness.
| While watching, I was reminded of Recapitulation theory - unborn humans, in the womb, go through the stages of evolution (there's even a time when unborn humans actually have Gill Slits). This video has poor sound quality and the narrator gives a lot of "spiritually inclined" opinion. However, it does contain some (in my opinion) valuable ideas. I think it's a useful model, at least - one of many good ways of looking at things. |
Dean Radin: The Global Consciousness Project
Scientific evidence indicating global consciousness
| Laboratory scientist Dean Radin describes an experiment testing the relationship between mind and matter. In this experiment, random number generators are used to test whether collective human attention corresponds to a change in the physical environment. | |
| This reporter comments that "the implications go beyond science into philosophy and religion", but it seems they can also be explained by quantum physics. |
Amit Goswami, Quantum Physics & Consciousness
| 1 | 2 |
| 3 |
The Primacy of Consciousness
This speaker, Peter Russel, a "fellow of" the Institute of Noetic Sciences [noetic.org].
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Buddhism eBook Library
There are tons of Buddhism-related eBooks here.
http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks.htm
Thanks CalmWind (http://www.icq.com/icqchat/ #buddhism)
http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks.htm
Thanks CalmWind (http://www.icq.com/icqchat/ #buddhism)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Interesting Dance
Diversity Transformers - UK Streetdance Championships
Here's an audition for that show. Embedding is "disabled by request", but watch it - it's really something.
Shaheen Jafargholi Grand Final Britain's Got Talent 2009
Thanks Ada
Here's an audition for that show. Embedding is "disabled by request", but watch it - it's really something.
Shaheen Jafargholi Grand Final Britain's Got Talent 2009
Thanks Ada
TED.com Videos - The Human Mind
TED.com is absolutely one of the most amazing web sites I've ever seen for meaningful discussion video. They really make me think - and show me a lot about myself.
Here is my new favorite TED.com vid. Enjoy!
Talks Dan Ariely asks, Are we in control of our own decisions?
TY Ada
Here's another that is absolutely a MUST SEE.
Stroke of Insight
TY Mona
Here is my new favorite TED.com vid. Enjoy!
Talks Dan Ariely asks, Are we in control of our own decisions?
TY Ada
Here's another that is absolutely a MUST SEE.
Stroke of Insight
TY Mona
Pavement Picasso - Julian Beaver - Sidewalk Chalk Artist
Pavement Picasso - Julian Beaver - Sidewalk Chalk Artist
More
If you're already familiar with the amazing work of Julian Beaver, you'll probably find this video fascinating.
I think this is his
Official Web Site.
More
If you're already familiar with the amazing work of Julian Beaver, you'll probably find this video fascinating.
I think this is his
Official Web Site.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Down to Earth - Peter Gabriel
A Fantastic Song
Same Song, with Spoilers - This one contains some scenes from the movie Wall-E
Same Song, with Spoilers - This one contains some scenes from the movie Wall-E
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Rodrigo y Gabriela
This is very nice.
The best way to enjoy Metalica
And this... wow!
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo
Asculta mai multe audio Muzica
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Juan loco
Asculta mai multe audio Muzica
This one is from a movie: Hable con Ella (Talk to Her)
Thanks Ada!
The best way to enjoy Metalica
And this... wow!
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo
Asculta mai multe audio Muzica
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Juan loco
Asculta mai multe audio Muzica
This one is from a movie: Hable con Ella (Talk to Her)
Thanks Ada!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Baraka - Balinese Monkey Chant (Kecak)
This is an unusual performance of Kecak (Balinese Monkey Chant) at temple in Tampaksiring, Bali, Indonesia.
More Info
See this site: http://www.spiritofbaraka.com/baraka0198 for more info on this clip.
View Larger Map | View Larger Map |
More Info
See this site: http://www.spiritofbaraka.com/baraka0198 for more info on this clip.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Calusarii - Romanian Traditional Dance
In honor of Rusalii, which was yesterday, here is some video of the Calusarii, the Calus dancers.
The Song
The Dance
More Information:
The căluşari (/kə.lu'ʃarʲ/) is the Romanian word for participants in a traditional folk dance, the căluş, nowadays mainly found in Southern Romania. The dance closely resembles the English Morris dance, in choreography, the meaning of the ritualistic sword dance, and the costumes, and it is believed it was borrowed from Dacia to western Europe (Spain, later England) via the Celts or the Goths[1] but it is more likely that it was borrowed from the Dacian auxiliary units stationed in Britain.
--wikipedia.com
CăluÅŸ is a protection, healing, and fertility ritual, carried out at the Orthodox Pentecost Rusalii, seven weeks after the Orthodox Easter. It marks the passage from spring to summer, from this world to the ‘world beyond’, and from the living to the dead ancestors. CăluÅŸ is deeply rooted in Romania 's ancient cultural strata. CăluÅŸ pertains to a large and well-known category of men 's corps customs, which include dances with swords or sticks used as props. Dance is one of the most important components of this ritual; it is through dance that the ritual acts are accomplished.
--mainweb.hgo.se
About
Calus is a protection, healing, and fertility ritual. Iele (They), Mandrele (Beauties) are female demons and were supposed to punish people around Rusalii (Pentecost) who did not respect the interdiction to work on special days honoring the Iele (They). Calusarii are invested with supernatural powers to protect the populace.
--seachain-aroon.com
Calus is a protection, healing, and fertility ritual. Iele (They), Mandrele (Beauties) are female demons and were supposed to punish people around Rusalii (Pentecost) who did not respect the interdiction to work on special days honoring the Iele (They). Calusarii are invested with supernatural powers to protect the populace.
--seachain-aroon.com
The Song
I wanted to show this song first because, for me, it's the most pleasurable part of this post. I couldn't find a video that contained both the dance AND a good quality sound. The second half of the song is like a rocket launching - no wonder it scares the rusalii! The first half of the song, so folksy yet mysterious, stimulates some corner of my soul that no other genre can touch. It's that quality which makes this one of my favorite pieces of music.
The Dance
Fiddle Player
More Information:
The căluşari (/kə.lu'ʃarʲ/) is the Romanian word for participants in a traditional folk dance, the căluş, nowadays mainly found in Southern Romania. The dance closely resembles the English Morris dance, in choreography, the meaning of the ritualistic sword dance, and the costumes, and it is believed it was borrowed from Dacia to western Europe (Spain, later England) via the Celts or the Goths[1] but it is more likely that it was borrowed from the Dacian auxiliary units stationed in Britain.
--wikipedia.com
CăluÅŸ is a protection, healing, and fertility ritual, carried out at the Orthodox Pentecost Rusalii, seven weeks after the Orthodox Easter. It marks the passage from spring to summer, from this world to the ‘world beyond’, and from the living to the dead ancestors. CăluÅŸ is deeply rooted in Romania 's ancient cultural strata. CăluÅŸ pertains to a large and well-known category of men 's corps customs, which include dances with swords or sticks used as props. Dance is one of the most important components of this ritual; it is through dance that the ritual acts are accomplished.
--mainweb.hgo.se
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Traditional Chinese Music and Dance
Traditional Chinese music and dance
Amazingly beautiful. Thanks, Ada.
Amazingly beautiful. Thanks, Ada.
Aboriginal Artists
Here's a treat. Thanks, Ada!
Didgeridoo - Jeremy Donovan, Aboriginal Artist
Doonooch Dance Company - Aboriginal Dancers
Australian Aboriginal Music: Song with Didgeridoo
Great art in this video, along with the cool, mysterious sounds.
This one came from here:
http://schuon25.blogspot.com/
You may get lost there!
Ganga Giri - Murrie Gubar Yugal (Live at JT 2005)
If you like a more "modern" feel.
Didgeridoo - Jeremy Donovan, Aboriginal Artist
Doonooch Dance Company - Aboriginal Dancers
Australian Aboriginal Music: Song with Didgeridoo
Great art in this video, along with the cool, mysterious sounds.
This one came from here:
http://schuon25.blogspot.com/
You may get lost there!
Ganga Giri - Murrie Gubar Yugal (Live at JT 2005)
If you like a more "modern" feel.
Hang Drum
The instrument in these videos is a Hang Drum. Here's an article (with a great
video) about the instrument:
http://futuremusic.com/blog/?p=1873
It's really cool of this guy to make this video and this article. He did a great job on the video.
What a cool, modern-mysterious feel...
Thanks Ada!
Amsterdam Street Performers
video) about the instrument:
http://futuremusic.com/blog/?p=1873
It's really cool of this guy to make this video and this article. He did a great job on the video.
What a cool, modern-mysterious feel...
Thanks Ada!
Amsterdam Street Performers
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Bless You! Oldies but Goodies.
These crack me up every time I see them.
Pandemonium
And another...
You don't need to know German to get this!
OK, One more... The laugh-track in this is horrid, but the video is just too funny to skip.
Pandemonium
And another...
You don't need to know German to get this!
OK, One more... The laugh-track in this is horrid, but the video is just too funny to skip.
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
Thanks to Leeloo from ICQ Chat [#Buddhism]
Me: "bittersweet" really describes the feeling of the song
LL: it does :( it just reminds me of britain.. depressing attitude hehe
Me: is that how most people feel there? like there's a depressing attitude all around them?
LL: the weather i guess hehe depends really.
I wonder.
Anyway, a few more from Leeloo:
Me: "bittersweet" really describes the feeling of the song
LL: it does :( it just reminds me of britain.. depressing attitude hehe
Me: is that how most people feel there? like there's a depressing attitude all around them?
LL: the weather i guess hehe depends really.
I wonder.
Anyway, a few more from Leeloo:
Friday, June 5, 2009
Anoushka Shankar Live at the Verbier Festival
Anoushka Shankar is a great musician. She has an album called Rise.
Very Moody
Here's a little extra one for you if you happen to love sitar (or lap dogs).
...and some other vids worth seeing.
Very Moody
Here's a little extra one for you if you happen to love sitar (or lap dogs).
...and some other vids worth seeing.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCdL-UD0x3g
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QTiDlMFVrA
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge8zyUDrA6Y
Thursday, June 4, 2009
My Fav Little Lulu Episode
I like this Little Lulu episode so much for the song - I wish it was Bing's version, but it's still cute.
-- Me!
-- Me!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Nathan "Flutebox" Lee and Beardyman @ Google, London
The beginning of this is a beautiful but very unusual flute piece. Next comes a guy who's very talented, for sure, but he stays there a bit too long maybe.
If you get to the point where you want to fast forward a bit, I suggest moving to 12:40.
Thanks to Jim P. for this pearl.
This, from the related links, is turning into one of my favorite songs. If you know of any like it, please leave a comment.
Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee & Hanif Khan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL-gbDvwi0E
More: I liked this, too. It seems related.
Beatboxing Flute Greg Pattillo & PROJECT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KabP9iNokps
If you get to the point where you want to fast forward a bit, I suggest moving to 12:40.
Thanks to Jim P. for this pearl.
This, from the related links, is turning into one of my favorite songs. If you know of any like it, please leave a comment.
Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee & Hanif Khan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL-gbDvwi0E
More: I liked this, too. It seems related.
Beatboxing Flute Greg Pattillo & PROJECT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KabP9iNokps
Garmarna - Herr Mannelig
Some guy on ICQ posted this in a chat room. Here's what he had to say about it. (I don't know whether any of it's true.)
its an old swedish folksong about a mountain troll woman asking a human man to marry her..offering him gifts for the marrige
well the man wont marry the troll because she is not christian...
u have to remember its a very old tune
trolls where beings of another world living paralel with humans..trolls could capture humans and bring them to their world under the ground
trolls where not ugly in old folclore..they where actually more beutiful then humans many times..specially the girls..
but the consept of trolls have many aspects and dimentions..some times they have taken the part of giants and are a destructive force..sometimes they are like beings of the forest and sometimes they are like humans but lving in a mirror world like a paralell dimention..
the diffrent parts of the trolls have changed from time to time...they have been givien diffrent roles in the folklore
-- HandsomeLake - ICQ
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