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POPSOn the very real possibility of transformational change The most provocative and optimistic article I've read in a long while - points to emergence as a reason to believe in the possibility of a genuine societal transformation. Clip doesn't do it justice - if you're interested in change, go read it. Probes world outcomes, in light of current crises, by thinking on how human systems transform: "Fundamental transformation is not only possible, it is the routine way natural systems evolve. Radical change is as common as grass in world history, because it is as common as grass in the life of all living systems. But here’s the critical point: What unlocks social transformation is a shift in values, because values are at the core of a self-organizing human system"
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POPSLogical Fallacies of Creationists and How to Spot Them THE ACHILLES' HEAL FALLACY They carbon-dated a snail and it turned out to be 25,000 years old! Carbon dating is totally unreliable! THE AD HOMINEM ATTACK You have been blinded by Satan, and you are a creature of the devil. Neither you nor what you say can be trusted. You will rot in Hell for your ways THE RED HERRING Evolution is impossible because the Big Bang is a totally unacceptable theory because it defies the word of our loving Creator, He who sent His only Son, our Lord to...
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POPSLet's Start Using Our Brains I've not vetted this account but if true it is a particularly stunning example of gullible saps causing real damage by their irresponsible actions.
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POPSEducational Resources Verizon Foundation supports this project. "Thinkfinity delivers free, top-quality online educational resources to strenghten problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking skills for success in the 21st Century."
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POPSReforming K-12 Education I suggest those eight periods go as follows: 1. critical thinking / debate / recognizing deceit 2. math 3. science (methodology) / sciences 4. reading / comprehension 5. writing / speaking 6. Lunch 7. history 8. social studies / civics / life skills That's a K-12 curriculum, BTW. At the 12+ point either specialization (such as technical training in one area... electronics, mechanics, furniture carving, plumbing) or long term educational undertakings with broader underpinnings would be considered.
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POPSSarkozy Excuse me, but what were the French people thinking in chosing this scumbag in the first place: a blind Zionist, a right-wing neocon who buries his lips between the rear cheeks of George Bush, a man determined to re-colonize Africa and put France in wars. All this was plain and clear to me even as he was running for office. Now the French feel they've been hoodwinked and bamboozled. As critical as this election/selection was at this point in history, the French went with their racial prejudices and misogyny. No tears here. By the time this person leaves office, France will be in a war, France's economy will be completely trashed and France will once again be back on the world's shit list.
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POPSPhysicians Create List of Who Will Live and Die Who is Out of Luck? It's being recommended that every hospital choose a triage team to decide who will get lifesaving treatment and who will not, but the guidelines already spell out some people who are supposed to be denied care. They include: * People older than 85 * People with severe trauma, such as critical injuries from car crashes and shootings * Severely burned patients older than 60 * People with severe mental impairment, such as advanced Alzheimer's disease * People with severe chronic disease, such as advanced heart failure, lung disease or poorly controlled diabetes
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POPSPut On Your Thinking Cap: Scotland Offers $20 Million For New Innovation
Scotland can shine a spotlight on the critical work taking place in clean energy. Even more importantly, in the tradition of world-changing innovation prizes, Scotland can challenge scientists and businesses around the world to tackle one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century in bringing the vast potential of alternative energy online years sooner than might otherwise happen. The key elements of the Saltire Prize are: * capturing imaginations: challenge that can inspire a revolution in green energy * global challenge: high profile prize open to teams from across the world * relevant to Scotland: relevant to area in which Scotland has strong natural resource and can be demonstrated in Scotland * capitalises on Scotland's expertise: challenge will reflect area in which Scotland has strong technical expertise and people already working * achievable in the short-medium term: challenge ideally achievable within a 2-5 year timeframe
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POPSThe 7 habits of highly effective propagandists citing a qualified source is a good way to emphasize a legitimate idea. But you should consider whether or not the source being cited is really qualified to make judgments about a particular issue. 5. PLAIN FOLKS The “Plain Folks” technique is at work whenever a speaker promotes the idea that he or she is “of the people,” just an Average Joe despite the fact that he or she may go home to a mansion at the end of the day. 6. CARD STACKING “Stacking the deck” is a gimmick used by magicians where a deck of cards appears to be randomly shuffled but is in fact arranged in a specific way. The IPA borrowed the term to describe a technique where only one side of a topic is favored, or another side is ignored or played down. 7. BANDWAGON The idea behind the Bandwagon technique is that, since everyone else is doing it, so too should you.
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POPSCoffee Grinding Physics The headline sounds complicated, but a good article on the importance of the coffee grinding process to achieve an optimal full extraction.
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POPSThe Great Global Warming Swindle A convincing argument ... except that the 'precautionary principle' does dicate that we take action to mitigate the contribution of man-made greenhouse gasses. The data I have seen is 'similar but different' to what is presented in this movie.
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POPS3 + 3 = Sick I am under the impression Americans takes pills to sleep, pills to wake up, pills to relax, pills to be more energetic, pills, pills, pills. Why do Americans eat so much medicine? When Heath Ledger died, I remember thinking, "Why is such a young, seemingly healthy man popping prescription pills, like they were M&M's?" Is the difference a quick-fix mentality, short-cutting, or because you are bombarded with medicine ads on TV all the time? Why the obsession with pills? Could it be the profit-driven American healthcare system that coaxes people to think they need all these drugs?
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POPSThe Reason Project needs Volunteers! Sam Says "For the moment, we are only looking for volunteers to collect archive materials, but there will undoubtedly be many other ways to assist the work of The Reason Project in the future. Our website will offer more information about such opportunities as they arise, as well as provide ways for you to network with like-minded people in your own communities. All submissions should be sent to the following email address: archive@reasonproject.org Many thanks, in advance, for your help" Best, Sam Harris and Annaka Harris
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POPSSanity in Thought Reading this one could assume that it's written by one of those left-wing liberal living in sin-filled NY or LA. Actually it's a comment by someone in Malaysia. Naturally, I agree with what this writer says.
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POPSWhat of the Cendana family after Suharto?
Unspun was trying to call an old friend in the wire services tonight and couldn't get him. When he returned the call the first thing he said was: "Suharto is dying." All night tonight reporters have been staking out the hospital where Suharto is being treated as news of his faltering condition begans to spread. This set Unspun thinking about power, the maintenance of power, its mystique and ultimate dissipation. It has been a decade since Suharto was ousted from power, yet he and his family have remained powerful. No longer in the limelight they nonetheless were, excepting Tommy who was so prominent he had to be put away for a while, almost untouchable. Seemingly out of power and ill the old man still commanded respect or fear. Some business deals had to have his blessings still or it was a no go. Now that Suharto is virtually in his deathbed it is interesting to ponder what it was that retained his power even after he had been ousted. Was it the careful use of all those
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