(no subject)

S. Korean protesters, police clash in beef rallies

6 dead in Tokyo stabbing spree

G-8 to fight oil prices with efficiency, tech

(no subject)

Ever since I came into contact with the idea of psychohistory, I've begun picking up on things in the media that alarm me.

I have heard "assassination" so many times, it's not funny. When was the last time we had an RFK retrospective? I don't remember one, because he was always in the shadow of his brother.

I've heard news pundits use terms like "pull the trigger" and "put a gun to his head" (the latter actually specifically referencing Obama, using figurative language).

I've seen a lot more stories about how racism used to be in the 1920s and '30s. Turner Classic Movies just ran a short from that time period featuring mainly African-Americans, including Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, called "King for a Day" (the running gag was that black men sure liked to throw dice!).

The History Channel ran a repeat of "Illegal Drugs: Cocaine". Some of it was a very interesting retrospective of how cocaine was added to just about everything and was seen as a wonder drug at first, but it made a point that it wouldn't have been made illegal had it not been for Southern newspapers making a ruckus about "cocaine-crazed Negroes."

The media is controlled by a small handful of folks. They must understand what they are doing.

(no subject)

Ann Arbor leads listed as one of the top 10 U.S. "brainiest" cities in which to retire

(no subject)

As I tried (unsuccessfully) to fall asleep last night, I came up with a hypothesis about what sleep actually is.

The human mind hypnotizes itself.

thanks to dsgood

Serotonin may affect our sense of fairness

Origins of the brain: Complex synapses drove brain evolution

(no subject)

I think McCain's treatment of his wives will interest many former Clinton supporters.

(no subject)

Mr. Obama closed his speech on Tuesday by telling Americans they "don't deserve" another election "that's governed by fear." Of the three candidates, he was the only one who did not mention 9/11 that night.