Dennett - Can We Know Our Own Minds?

Here's a great little presentation by Dennett (though 4 years old, it still serves as a good introduction to the limitations of your brain).

On The Map (Finally!)

CBC Newsworld has a new international affairs show hosted by the perspicacious Avi Lewis (Son of Stephen, husband of Naomi) and it is fantastic! This is what I've been seeking.

On The Map has more depth than The Hour and provides interviews more challenging than The Agenda.

If you want a show that provides sophistication, nuance and actual critical analysis about the complexity of this world, I highly recommened you check out On The Map.
(Dawkins was on last night :)

Don't know much Biology

Jerry Coyne provides a wonderful description of evolution, science and truth in a commentary on Republican presidental candidates and their beliefs about evolution.
Read it here (start below his picture)

What We Are

Watch this brilliant video about the monkey condition.
(My souce was Xander)

Alanis - My Humps

Alanis performing Fergie's "My Humps." I find this absolutely hilarious. The quality of the lyrics becomes quite evident.
Another fave in the 'contrast' realm is Nina Gordon's Straight Outta Compton.
The only other of this 'genre' is Ben Fold's Bitches Ain't Shit.
Hahaha.

Let me know if there are any others.

"I’d sell my fucking organs."

Imagine your wife had to go to Turkey for business reasons. There is an acquaintance of yours and he offers to be her guide. He speaks the language and seems like a decent guy, so you think it’s a good idea as she’ll probably be safer. Several days after they leave on the trip, you receive a phone call from him.

He says, “I sold your wife.” You find out he sold your wife into sexual slavery for $1000.

How would you feel? What would you do?

I watched the suffering of this man grappling with just such a painful absurdity. He tried to be as rational as possible because he knew that might be the only way to get his wife back. He breaks down at one point and says, “I’d do anything to get her back. I’d sell my fucking organs.” It is a story that Hollywood would kill for but it probably wouldn’t sell because it is too real.

The documentary Sex Slaves follows the sex trafficking industry and tells the story of several individuals and the cataclysmic suffering they experienced. The documentary focussed mainly on Eastern European women who end up exported to over 50 countries, including Canada. Women in poverty think they might be getting work abroad as a domestic labourer or waitress and instead they are sold into bondage. Many will end up being raped by 10 men each night. I can think of few worse things in this world than human trafficking. The only thing worse would be the subset of sexual trafficking and that could only be more gruesome if it specializes in children.

I cried and I felt sick watching the documentary. So why watch it?
It is important to know that such atrocities are occurring in this world - that they are happening in your country! Additionally, such things should be viewed to understand the potential depravity of humans as well as their resilience. Finally, watch it to appreciate how unbelievably lucky you are.

These are the horrors we all block out. We do so at our peril.

MIT Demonstrates Wireless Power Transfer

Follow the link and be both amazed and confused.