Spinosa and understanding

Spinosa had it right before almost everybody. And yes, understanding is the way. Saying to a child that sugar is bad for its teeth is not the way. We need to explain them how sugar feed the bacteria that produce the acid that dissolve the enamel of the teeth...

The following video (in German) is particularly good.

The following is a link to the original French version

Louis CK. Very funny :)

Electronics for kids

For those of you having children: teach them electronics!




http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/apthomas/SquishyCircuits/index.htm

Tim Michin's Storm: The Animated Movie

Very aesthetic cartoon about the encounter between a skeptic guy and an esoteric gal.

Will California suffer a earthquake between now and March 26th 2011?

I honestly do not know what to think about that. I will know on March 27th however.

Do you find this video relaxing?

Put the audio level low. This is an experimental video making use of our "orienting response reflex" by presenting to us new information every 2.5 seconds. During the "orienting response" which is a mental state in which most animal find themeselves when presented with something new, our heart rate is decreased and our brain blood vessels dialtes in order to increase our brain readiness to acquire information in order to react vis-à-vis this "something new". This vidéo is from ansgar1965 and is experimental (not tested, you are the cobayes. So what do you think? is it relaxing?)

Guns Germs and Steel

A must read and a must see! Part 1/18 below, the rest on youtube.

A universe from nothing (Krauss)

Excellent talk about how the universe could have originate from nothing, what we mean by multiverses, and so on...

The Stanley Milgram Experiment: Obedience to Authority

This is yet another classical psychology experiment. It shows how far most poeple are ready to go when they are in a situation where authority exists. They feel easily relieved of their moral responsability and become able to perform the worst acts. 

The Standford Prison Experiment

For those of you who haven't seen this video yet, it is a must see to get an glimpse at the dark side of our human nature.

Electronic Voting without the risk of fraud!

I do not like electronic voting because it lacks the possibility of democratic control. Who understands how the computer and software used to collect and analyse the votes works? How can we be sure that everything goes well, without clever fraud? Until recently I was against it but not anymore after having seen the following video:

Good ideas exists to make electronic voting safe, anonymous and transparent

Hans Rosling's new insights on poverty | Video on TED.com

Here is an excellent way to visualize the situation::


Hans Rosling's new insights on poverty Video on TED.com

After having seen this video, you might want to play yourselve with his tools:

http://www.gapminder.org/

Halal meat

We in Belgium can be proud of our tolerance. Halal food is clearly a progress. We are still lucky that we do not have Aztecs in our country otherwise we would soon tolerate ritual human sacrifices or wouldn't we? Muslim friends, are you sure that Muhammad would not have used the stunner if it was available to him at that time?
It seems that for some religious people, once things have been put on paper in holly scripture, it cannot be altered anymore. Doesn't that represent a serious hindrance for any progress? Why do you think Allah would be unhappy if he did not get his service of animal suffering?
Am I missing something?

There was also recently news of a new halal kriek "sultane". Since nobody suffers unnecessarily in the process (and since I actually like better alcohol-free beers ;-) ), I say why not.

The Known Universe

Awesome video. Thanks to http://logideauniversity.blogspot.com/ for the link.