Astrophysics and Wu-Tang: Neil deGrasse Tyson chops it up with the GZA. (via Nerdist)
Astrophysics and Wu-Tang: Neil deGrasse Tyson chops it up with the GZA. (via Nerdist)
A year after capturing the world’s attention and subsequently being dismissed by many as naive and aimless, the Occupy movement continues to do amazing work. Although the common story is that Occupy fizzled out and accomplished nothing, it succeeded in changing the public discourse on the growing imbalance between the haves and have-nots, to the point that it was an unshakeable issue in the presidential race. Sure, it may not have resulted in any changes in policy, but it has awakened an inspiring new level of citizen activism and outreach that’s growing by the day. Case in point: the movement’s new mutation, Occupy Sandy.
Articles by the New York Times and Slate both recently pointed out how Occupy Sandy has been providing excellent relief and assistance to New York’s storm-battered residents, in many cases outperforming no less than FEMA and the Red Cross which have been both criticized by many for their response efforts. I take it as further proof that the “change” we’ve all been so desperate for is on its way, though not via the political and corporate watchmen we’ve looked to in the past, but from our own hands.
A year after capturing the world’s attention and subsequently being dismissed by many as naive and aimless, the Occupy movement continues to do amazing work. Although the common story is that Occupy fizzled out and accomplished nothing, it succeeded in changing the public discourse on the growing imbalance between the haves and have-nots, to the point that it was an unshakeable issue in the presidential race. Sure, it may not have resulted in any changes in policy, but it has awakened an inspiring new level of citizen activism and outreach that’s growing by the day. Case in point: the movement’s new mutation, Occupy Sandy.
Articles by the New York Times and Slate both recently pointed out how Occupy Sandy has been providing excellent relief and assistance to New York’s storm-battered residents, in many cases outperforming no less than FEMA and the Red Cross which have been both criticized by many for their response efforts. I take it as further proof that the “change” we’ve all been so desperate for is on its way, though not via the political and corporate watchmen we’ve looked to in the past, but from our own hands.
They know everything you’re up to.
And who are “they”? Not your secret society of choice, but your cell phone company.
In this TED talk, Mark Spitz details how he wrestled to get access to all of the data that his cell phone company was storing about him. The results were flabbergasting and downright scary.
The thing is, most of us know this already, but we’re simply too busy and bothered to imagine the implications or endgame of it. Put the pieces together and you have a realization that might turn you into a conspiracy theorist, or better yet, a pragmatic 21st century citizen well aware that the bad guys and their evil plots may not be who or what we’re told to keep an eye out for.
They know everything you’re up to.
And who are “they”? Not your secret society of choice, but your cell phone company.
In this TED talk, Mark Spitz details how he wrestled to get access to all of the data that his cell phone company was storing about him. The results were flabbergasting and downright scary.
The thing is, most of us know this already, but we’re simply too busy and bothered to imagine the implications or endgame of it. Put the pieces together and you have a realization that might turn you into a conspiracy theorist, or better yet, a pragmatic 21st century citizen well aware that the bad guys and their evil plots may not be who or what we’re told to keep an eye out for.
Nothing’s Going to Stop You Now
This is it.
This shit? This? This will charge you with the alchemical, life changing mix of fortitude and inspiration to accomplish all you’ve set out to do in this most auspicious of years.
Like really, if you’re not clear on this, please understand that this will make you shine with the radical, star-burstingly awesome light of a 7-year-old you again.
Trust me. Really. Just trust me. Do this with passion, verve and all the commitment you can muster, and I GUARANTEE that you will trip harder than ingesting 12 rocket popsicles infused with a tantalizingly transcendent blend of LSD, DMT and even a hint of mint.
Don’t just do it. DO it.
Look, front if you want, but I’ll just leave you with this:
This will help you win.
I promise you.
Laugh, but I’m completely f**king serious.
Seriously.
The New York Times: How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body
More and more of us in the modern West are looking to the ancient East for answers, and while there are centuries of wisdom regarding mind, body and spirit to be mined, it seems our fast food approach often means that many of us end up feeding our ego and taste for the trendy and exotic and very little else.
This article published yesterday in the New York Times explains how yoga can be harmful, particularly to those who approach it with this mindset. Make no mistake, yoga is an amazing art, science and discipline that can completely overhaul your life for the better - you just have to approach it correctly, so take a gander. Even if you aren’t an aspiring yogi, it’s worth a read if you’re simply on a mission to “improve” yourself.
Ever wondered how people got so dumb, how our society became populated by buffoons, automatons… lambs enjoying their slaughter? Adam Curtis’ brilliant BBC documentary - “The Century of the Self” - breaks down how it all went wrong and just who’s responsible.
P.S. - This is a link to Part 1. There are 3 more which follow, which I’m sure you can find on YouTube, Vimeo or elsewhere.
P.P.S. - Do check out Curtis’ blog if you can. It’s addictive, and, well, brilliant.
Ever wondered how people got so dumb, how our society became populated by buffoons, automatons… lambs enjoying their slaughter? Adam Curtis’ brilliant BBC documentary - “The Century of the Self” - breaks down how it all went wrong and just who’s responsible.
P.S. - This is a link to Part 1. There are 3 more which follow, which I’m sure you can find on YouTube, Vimeo or elsewhere.
P.P.S. - Do check out Curtis’ blog if you can. It’s addictive, and, well, brilliant.
Alan Moore on true magic, or, making something out of nothing.
Alan Moore on true magic, or, making something out of nothing.
Letting Go: Ridding Your Mind of Unwanted Memories May Set You Free
Have you seen “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”? The flick in which Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey have their memories of one another erased after being ravaged by a love gone sour? Yeah… you probably have, and if so, you’ve probably thought that their “solution” was frightful and intrusive. Admit it though - there have definitely been times you’ve wished that technology was real.
Truth is, we all have a few moments, relationships and decisions we’d like to banish from our mind so we can move on. Turns out the technology might exist, and you have easy access to it whenever you want… it’s your brain.
The lead feature in January’s Scientific American details recent studies that illustrate how the ability to ‘willfully forget’ can result in a healthier brain, and a healthier person. The results thus far have shown that freedom from older, troublesome or useless memories allows the brain to have better recall with new, positive, relevant ones. In essence, there’s much less clutter.
The truth is, this is something that’s been practiced in modalities of energy healing forever. Often dismissed as quack psychology, there is real benefit to be derived from these alternative modes of healing and thinking that urge us to practice a degree of control over negative thoughts. EFT, NLP, the positive affirmations of Louise Hay… these are methods that when practiced with dedication often produce healthier people.
Of course, there’s a fine line to walk between forgetting memories and repressing them; the latter approach may be helpful in the short term, but often - at least as I’ve seen and experienced it, time and time again - those same memories come back to bite you in the ass, often causing more damage upon their return than they ever did in the first place.
So does this mean that you can forget that lame boyfriend who never treated you good enough, or that girl who got away? Maybe not exactly, but the wounds that they inflicted, the painful moments and memories that haunt you, they don’t have the power over you that you might think they do.
Check out the piece if you’re so inclined: “Forgetting is Key to a Healthy Mind.” It is a bit of wordy read, so if you need something to help you through it, I’ve attached James Brown’s joint “Mind Power” as a soundtrack.
Vibes… Vibrations…
Letting Go: Ridding Your Mind of Unwanted Memories May Set You Free
Have you seen “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”? The flick in which Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey have their memories of one another erased after being ravaged by a love gone sour? Yeah… you probably have, and if so, you’ve probably thought that their “solution” was frightful and intrusive. Admit it though - there have definitely been times you’ve wished that technology was real.
Truth is, we all have a few moments, relationships and decisions we’d like to banish from our mind so we can move on. Turns out the technology might exist, and you have easy access to it whenever you want… it’s your brain.
The lead feature in January’s Scientific American details recent studies that illustrate how the ability to ‘willfully forget’ can result in a healthier brain, and a healthier person. The results thus far have shown that freedom from older, troublesome or useless memories allows the brain to have better recall with new, positive, relevant ones. In essence, there’s much less clutter.
The truth is, this is something that’s been practiced in modalities of energy healing forever. Often dismissed as quack psychology, there is real benefit to be derived from these alternative modes of healing and thinking that urge us to practice a degree of control over negative thoughts. EFT, NLP, the positive affirmations of Louise Hay… these are methods that when practiced with dedication often produce healthier people.
Of course, there’s a fine line to walk between forgetting memories and repressing them; the latter approach may be helpful in the short term, but often - at least as I’ve seen and experienced it, time and time again - those same memories come back to bite you in the ass, often causing more damage upon their return than they ever did in the first place.
So does this mean that you can forget that lame boyfriend who never treated you good enough, or that girl who got away? Maybe not exactly, but the wounds that they inflicted, the painful moments and memories that haunt you, they don’t have the power over you that you might think they do.
Check out the piece if you’re so inclined: “Forgetting is Key to a Healthy Mind.” It is a bit of wordy read, so if you need something to help you through it, I’ve attached James Brown’s joint “Mind Power” as a soundtrack.
Vibes… Vibrations…
