“The price of freedom is decision”
I’m reading a book by Edward de Bono titled, The Happiness Purpose. In it, he states something that I thought was counter-intuitive:
[T]he price of freedom is decision.
What atheists need to ask the faithful ~ JT Eberhard
JT Eberhard is a persuasive young man. An atheist and advocate for freedom of thought, he speaks regularly about atheism and how to discuss religion and atheism with religious believers. During this talk, JT Eberhard asks a number of questions that hit home and trace my path from reasonably devout Catholic to an irreligious agnostic, or “free thinker” as some like to say. Believers would probably just call me an atheist. Labels are easy. Understanding is hard. …
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position, but certainty…
Voltaire’s quote on the nature of certainty and uncertainty does “certainly” apply to politics, government, science—many aspects of life… …
When freedom of thought becomes impossible ~ Salman Rushdie Quote
The moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision, or contempt, freedom of thought becomes impossible.
~ Salman Rushdie
So well put by Rushdie. That goes for everything, from science to religion, from art to politics…It’s core to what freedom of speech is about. It’s not pretty. You’ll have to tolerate a lot of garbage. But no one will be able to restrict you from thinking what like and saying what you think. As I get older, I feel more strongly about preserving and protecting our right to free speech.
Quote that gives me chills
Truly, this quote gives me chills…. …
“A fascinatingly disturbing thought” ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson’s disturbing thought: That there is about a one percent difference between human DNA and the DNA of our nearest genetic relatives the chimpanzee. You could say that whatever it is that makes us human is somehow contained in that one percent difference. Think of what those differences are: simple tools vs. rockets, gestured “language” vs. poetry and the language of mathematics.
So imagine if we encountered a life form that is one percent “more advanced” than humans, in the same way that humans are one percent more advanced than chimpanzees. Imagine what that might look like–keeping in mind how we treat those one percent “inferior” to us.
It’s a “fascinatingly disturbing thought.”
Do view the video below…It’s Neil deGrasse Tyson at his best.
Video game that can add 10 years to your life ~ Jane McGonigal ~ TED
Game designer Jane McGonigal gives a fascinating TED talk on how video games can have a real, positive impact on people’s lives as she compares deathbed regrets to the reported benefits of playing a simple game. In the talk, McGonigal reveals that she suffered a severe concussion or traumatic brain injury and used a simple game she designed (SuperBetter) to help cope with her symptoms while healing.
I was quite inspired by McGonigal’s enthusiasm and confidence that video games can be a source for good in our lives. I’ve gotta check out her book Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World
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Louis C.K. on Fathers Day
Louis C.K. offers an excellent and personal critique of how men fail at fatherhood…and a possible solution. …
Glass half full or half empty? ~ BEST response ever!
Best response to the glass half full, glass half empty debate…
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Arrogance of science and religion ~ Being thick as a brick
The entire video is fascinating, but this bit about the arrogance of scientists and the religious is particularly interesting.
