A significant difference between humans and most other animals is that we have the innate ability to abstract ideas. That is, we can manipulate symbols as though they were things. We do this so well that most people are unaware that the symbols aren't actually the things they represent. If…
Our black cat died at sunset on Friday the thirteenth. Just then it started to rain. My real life often lends itself to overused literary metaphors. It was an assisted departure, as the nearly 23 year old cat was so clearly on her uncomfortable and imminent way out. The vet…
Mr. "Life, the Universe, and Everything" makes some good points. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjvSX4Y8C1o[/youtube]
Enjoy this day celebrating the ancient festival of the resurrection of the seasons, the rebirth of the year, the celebration of the new year, or its newer interpretation as specifically about a particular one of the born-to-a-virgin, talked-to-god(s), performed-miracles, and died-to-rise-again messiah-candidates. All the popular symbols (hatching eggs, bunnies, flowers,…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIqk4agzKPE[/youtube] This little Harpers-Index-like compilation with compelling music is a full bag of potato chip tidbits of numerical exposition. The numbers seem accurate. At least those numbers that I have the background to know from other reputable sources. But what do they mean? The video simply concludes that change is…