Image of The political significance of LSD - the shifts in consciousness brought about by psychedelics could help to dissolve our fear of the other
The political significance of LSD - the shifts in consciousness brought about by psychedelics could help to dissolve our fear of the other
opendemocracy.net link posted by 9 days ago in politics
“Microdosing” on psychedelic substances like LSD—ingesting just enough to heighten cognitive faculties, enhance creativity, improve concentration and alleviate depression—is currently back i...
Image of Rewarding Disobedience: 2018 - MIT Media Lab is giving out a no-strings-attached cash award of $250,000 for "disobedience" that benefits society
Rewarding Disobedience: 2018 - MIT Media Lab is giving out a no-strings-attached cash award of $250,000 for "disobedience" that benefits society
media.mit.edu link posted by 33 days ago in politics Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 United States License
Nominations are now open for the second MIT Media Lab Disobedience Award, which carries a $250,000 cash prize, no strings attached. This award will go to a person or group engaged in what we...
Image of Tu Quoque: Anatomy of an online argument
Tu Quoque: Anatomy of an online argument
bardoloi.com link posted by 34 days ago in pot.kettle.black
The real goal of tu quoque (or any ad hominem attack) is to shift the focus to your opponent’s weaknesses as a way to hide your argument’s weaknesses. To create a hypocrisy meme: 1) pick a trigger...
Image of Does hypocrisy invalidate an argument? A great discussion from Philosophy Stack Exchange
Does hypocrisy invalidate an argument? A great discussion from Philosophy Stack Exchange
philosophy.stackexchange.com link posted by 34 days ago in pot.kettle.black
The general rule is that a person’s behavior does not invalidate that person’s arguments. This is because ideally philosophical arguments are based on reason. Thus if the reasoning is valid, it do...
Image of The Worst Man In Modern History
The Worst Man In Modern History
goldmoney.com link posted by 36 days ago in capitalism
It seems extraordinary that in defiance of all factual history and philosophical knowledge anyone should celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Karl Marx. More than anyone, through wrong-headed ide...
Image of Jeff Bezos Just Revealed the Remarkably Powerful Mind Trick That Made Him a Multibillionaire
Jeff Bezos Just Revealed the Remarkably Powerful Mind Trick That Made Him a Multibillionaire
inc.com link posted by 212 days ago in Note to Self
Live without regrets: On November 4, Jeff Bezos was interviewed by his brother Mark at the ideas festival Summit LA17 event in Los Angeles. During the course of this interview, Jeff revealed...
Image of The Great Hoax of Equality
The Great Hoax of Equality
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
History repeats itself. Men have constantly fought and died in the war for equality throughout the centuries. However, not all of them had in mind the same idea of equality when they gave their lives...
Image of Manipulating Americans is easy
Manipulating Americans is easy
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
You're an idiot. That's right. According to New York spin doctor Sheherazad Jaafari (aka press-aide or press attaché), Americans are easily manipulated. All politicians need to do is admit that th...
Image of Oh No! Science Supports... The Anarchists!!
Oh No! Science Supports... The Anarchists!!
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
I'm talking about the real anarchists here, not bloody bomb-throwers or anti-capitalist window breakers. I'm referring to people who have faced the scary fact that all coercive power corrupts and tha...
Image of Irrational self-interest
Irrational self-interest
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Selfishness is often defined as an evil that deals with one caring for oneself more than for others. Many evils in the world are blamed on selfishness. Hunger, poverty and illness are supposedly all...
Image of Dealing with pain during the holidays
Dealing with pain during the holidays
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
The holidays are often difficult, and can be downright depressing, especially for those who have pain from a loss, a traumatic experience, or just plain loneliness (e.g., not having a date for holida...
Image of Killer viruses - should we make them?
Killer viruses - should we make them?
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
We all have previously learned about the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918, which killed between 20-40 million people worldwide in our history classes. Now with the advance of modern molecular biology techn...
Image of The last line of defense when the law is wrong
The last line of defense when the law is wrong
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
There's a button that some wear on election day. It says "I voted." It's as if voting makes them feel powerful. But the vote they cast typically isn't for a specific law - it's usually for a polit...
Image of TIL Plato didn't believe in Platonic love and supported erotica
TIL Plato didn't believe in Platonic love and supported erotica
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Today I learned that Platonic love isn't what we thought it was. In fact, Plato didn't even believe in it, was pro-sex, thought erotica was a spiritual force that helps us find our true selves, and e...
Image of What really matters in life - it should be our first lecture
What really matters in life - it should be our first lecture
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Life is a constant struggle, especially because the lessons we learn are oftentimes knowledge gained after we really needed it. It's one of the reasons mentors are so important - they've "been there,...
Image of The revolution for individual freedom and the principles of cooperation
The revolution for individual freedom and the principles of cooperation
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Throughout most of human civilization, centuries of men have starved, died from the elements (for lack of proper housing), suffered terrible health, and barely lived. Even today, starvation kills mil...
Image of Madly in love - is there a rational basis to love?
Madly in love - is there a rational basis to love?
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
We need a new demotivational poster: "Science. A quick way to mess-up all those great love poems." The definition of rational isn't very controversial: "having reason or understanding." The defini...
Image of An interview with David Eagleman, neuroscientist
An interview with David Eagleman, neuroscientist
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
A neuroscientist is someone who studies "the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, or molecular biology of nerves and nervous tissue and especially their relation to behavior and learning." Although the...
Ron Paul didn't go far enough - unleash the retirement accounts
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Ron Paul just came out with a plan to cut $1 trillion from the US's federal budget and severely curtail entitlement programs. According to the "Plan to Restore America," it cuts $1 trillion in spendi...
Image of The rationality of alternative medicine
The rationality of alternative medicine
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
As many mourn the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs, they use words such as visionary, brilliant, innovative, leader, entrepreneur, capitalist, and philanthropic to describe him. Many aren't aware th...
Image of Imagine... what a wonderful world it would be
Imagine... what a wonderful world it would be
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Aristotle spoke of music as having "influence over the character and the soul." He noted that "Rhythm and melody supply imitations of anger and gentleness, and also of courage and temperance, and of...
Image of What happened to the "we" in "yes we can?"
What happened to the "we" in "yes we can?"
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
How we do like to complain about politicians. We vote them into office (well, some don't vote) and expect them to change the world. To reduce war. To make our lives better. To keep their promises. Af...
Image of TIL you CAN prove a negative
TIL you CAN prove a negative
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Today I learned the adage "you can't prove a negative" is false because you can prove a negative. It's very easy. We need to stop saying that. A better statement to use is "he who asserts a positive...
Image of Breaking the laws of physics - will philosophy become more important?
Breaking the laws of physics - will philosophy become more important?
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Just when you thought you understood how the world works, the tachyons come to shake things up. For those who haven't heard by now, the masterminds at CERN who brought you the LHC rap have made wh...
Image of The ethics of competition and our obligations to each other
The ethics of competition and our obligations to each other
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Competition increases change and motivates people to excel. For example, gamers recently competed to solve a scientific problem that has "vexed researchers for a decade." Companies compete for your b...
Image of It doesn't always get better, so stop faking what's real
It doesn't always get better, so stop faking what's real
valme.io link posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
It was all the rage. Following 14-year old Jamey Rodemeyer's tearful "It Gets Better, I promise!" video, in which he tried to show how positive he was in the face of gay bullying, other well-know...
Image of Listen to my music - the philosophy of The Trees
Listen to my music - the philosophy of The Trees
editorial posted by 256 days ago in braincrave
Make everyone equal. It is a common battle cry across the centuries. Just look at the current class warfare that Obama is pushing because we are not all equal. (Or, as Orwell famously put it in Anima...
Image of The examples adults set for children
The examples adults set for children
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Why are so many children familiar with the adage "do as I say, not as I do?" The answer should be obvious - because we, as adults, often do things that we don't want our children doing. Let's face it...
Image of The enemy to slay in a constant state of emergency
The enemy to slay in a constant state of emergency
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Ron Paul famously said of neocons: The neoconservative ethos, steeped in the teachings of Leo Strauss, cannot abide an America where individuals simply pursue their happy, peaceful, prosperous l...
Image of How to get decent people to do terrible things - put them in positions of power
How to get decent people to do terrible things - put them in positions of power
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Einstein once wrote that "our conscious acts spring from our desires and our fears." Many agree. For example, David Hume suggested in A Treatise of Human Nature that humans are prone to letting emoti...
Image of The seven blunders of the world that lead to violence
The seven blunders of the world that lead to violence
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
When it comes to non-violent, ideological leaders, Mahatma Gandhi has got to be toward the very top of the list. His resistance to British tyranny through mass civil disobedience is famous. Needless...
Image of Taxation is a fight between individualism and collectivism - which side are you on?
Taxation is a fight between individualism and collectivism - which side are you on?
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
When it comes to politics, it's difficult to say "liberals believe this" or "conservatives believe that." After all, within each political ideology, there are many views; sometimes even views that se...
Image of The makings of a good apology - act like a changed person
The makings of a good apology - act like a changed person
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Paris Hilton did it to Lindsay Lohan. Tiger Woods did it. American Idol did it. Couples do it. Sometimes we even do it to ourselves. Politicians do it as well, but they do it badly (just like everyth...
Image of If I voted, Ron Paul is the man I would vote for
If I voted, Ron Paul is the man I would vote for
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
First, let me make this perfectly clear: I am an anarchist (or, more specifically, an anarcho-capitalist). I do not support any kind of government, including a president. The last election I voted in...
Image of Space and "empty space": Much ado about nothing, or is it?
Space and "empty space": Much ado about nothing, or is it?
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Space is a concept which is very rarely correctly understand by anybody, including modern physicists. However, the purpose of this essay is not to discuss the confusions of others in relation to this...
Image of Three cheers for capitalism - not two
Three cheers for capitalism - not two
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
As scary as it might sound, we already know that evidence doesn't matter much in the context of politics. So, even when there is clear evidence of a certain idea being factually true, many people don...
Image of The Davies Certainty Principle (Two-Minute Case Against The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle)
The Davies Certainty Principle (Two-Minute Case Against The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle)
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Most of you are probably aware of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. It states that it is not possible to know the precise position and momentum of subatomic particles such as electrons. (There is...
Image of Short-selling - the protected companies
Short-selling - the protected companies
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
(Meanwhile, as the Italian cabinet approves a tough austerity plan, and as Nero feasts while Rome burns...) According to the AP, "France, Italy, Spain and Belgium are banning short-selling on sele...
Image of Gaming theory - why it matters and a definition
Gaming theory - why it matters and a definition
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
As this is an article about the theory of games, I thought that, as I intend to do this systematically, I should start with a brief post defining what a game actually is. You might think that I could...
Image of Superstitions - finding an impenetrable prophylactic against ignorant beliefs
Superstitions - finding an impenetrable prophylactic against ignorant beliefs
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
One of the many fun things to do as a kid is to sit around a campfire late at night and hear adults tell ghost stories. Our imaginations would run wild - are there really such things as ghosts? Bu...
Image of Does porn hurt relationships? Science says no
Does porn hurt relationships? Science says no
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Porn is like bacon: some won't eat it for religious reasons, some consider it filthy, some feel guilty after eating it, but everyone else (which is most of the population) loves it. Funny enough, sci...
Image of Selling organs for education
Selling organs for education
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Nowadays, you have to take on massive amounts of debt to go to college, only to graduate and find that there aren't any jobs available. So you leave college, go back to living with your parents, and...
Image of How to understand people - look at their actions
How to understand people - look at their actions
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Praxeology is a general theory of human action or, more specifically, purposeful behavior. Unlike unconscious behavior such as breathing or reflexes, we act in conscious, chosen ways to achieve vario...
Image of The courage of convictions - rational people don't agree to disagree
The courage of convictions - rational people don't agree to disagree
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Politics. Morality. Religion. Relationships. Even science. These are examples of the many categories in which you will find disagreements. These debates occur just as much with intelligent people as...
Image of The poor don't want charity - they want justice
The poor don't want charity - they want justice
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
The latest weapon of mass destruction: starvation. The situation is dire. It's the worst drought in Africa in 60 years. The UN is airlifting food to Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. It's estimated th...
Image of The savages among us
The savages among us
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Imagine that you are a human brought to another planet. You are not religious. You haven't any belief in God or the supernatural. On this planet, the aliens are immediately able to cure all your dise...
Image of Let's raise the debt ceiling to $1 quadrillion
Let's raise the debt ceiling to $1 quadrillion
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Remember the guy who talked about change? Where'd he go? In 2006, Obama said this: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a...
Image of Have you no shame, and whose fault is that?
Have you no shame, and whose fault is that?
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
You sometimes have to wonder why teaching children seems to be more complicated than rocket science. There are many valid debates in education as to the proper conditions required for a child to lear...
Image of Tough love - the philosophy of BDSM
Tough love - the philosophy of BDSM
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
No doubt about it - we humans have a strong desire for sexual intercourse. It certainly makes sense from an evolutionary perspective, as the desire helps further humanity. But some are programmed for...
Image of Scary - facts don't change our minds
Scary - facts don't change our minds
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
"Facts don't necessarily have the power to change our minds. In fact, quite the opposite." Before you read this article to determine where that conclusion came from, ponder that quote for a moment...
Image of The courage to resist
The courage to resist
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Winning people's hearts and minds through ideas is one way to affect change, but it's a very, very slow process. Most would consider it "impractical." For those who want to implement change quicker,...
The spirit of revolution
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
"Philosopher of revolution" Pyotr Kropotkin (aka Peter Kropotkin) once wrote: "America is just the country that shows how all the written guarantees in the world for freedom are no protection against...
Image of Well I'll be a monkey's uncle - evolution is not a matter of faith
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle - evolution is not a matter of faith
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Humans and chimpanzees share 96% of the same DNA. In other words, from a scientific perspective, humans and chimpanzees are genetically very similar. As the battle between evolution and intelligen...
Image of The morality of helping the poor family - where does it end?
The morality of helping the poor family - where does it end?
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who "passionately" believes in the welfare system, is lashing out at parents who are raising their children through social welfare programs. He thinks the issue is a...
Image of The Horse in the Plain
The Horse in the Plain
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Once upon a time, in a land far away which has nothing at all in common with the world we humans inhabit, a horse was running free in the plain. He longed to climb up the mountains and see the world...
Image of TIL hot water freezes faster than cold water (and be careful with reigning paradigms)
TIL hot water freezes faster than cold water (and be careful with reigning paradigms)
valme.io link posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Today I learned hot water sometimes freezes faster than cold water. Although there isn't one, conclusive scientific explanation for the phenomenon, one of the theories for why this occurs is that hot...
Image of Abolish political parties and add none of the above
Abolish political parties and add none of the above
editorial posted by 257 days ago in braincrave
Jesse Ventura, of wrestling, acting, and conspiracy theory fame, is disgusted with politics. (And anyone who isn't disgusting isn't sane.) So he's come up with some new ideas. What do you think el...
Image of Slut walks, rape, and hypocrisy - what's eye candy got to do with it?
Slut walks, rape, and hypocrisy - what's eye candy got to do with it?
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
How we do love eye-candy. And, after all, "since when is a woman dressing sexy in public a bad thing?" By now, you've probably heard about the various "slut walks" that are happening all over the...
Image of Apathy - ignorance going through the motions
Apathy - ignorance going through the motions
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Considered the third, best-selling poet of all time, Khalil Gibran once said "Desire is half of life; indifference is half of death." Apathy is defined as having a lack of emotion, interest, or conce...
Image of Why is there so much hate and anger in the world?
Why is there so much hate and anger in the world?
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
From a WoW forum: Original post: "So many trolls be trolling....thugs be thugging....haters be hating.... I love everyone on this server Spread the love." Reply post: "Homo." Sarcasm aside,...
Image of Are safety and freedom opposites?
Are safety and freedom opposites?
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
When it comes to protecting civil liberties, it just keeps getting worse. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now testing what it calls Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST). It i...
Image of Mine! The never-ending fight over Palestine
Mine! The never-ending fight over Palestine
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Obama is currently getting criticized because of his recent speech asserting that the US government officially supports a two-state solution based on Israel's pre-1967 borders along with negotiated...
Image of O Me! O Life! and being thankful for what you have
O Me! O Life! and being thankful for what you have
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Monty Python famously sang "life's a piece of shit when you look at it." There's also the adage that, if everyone threw all their problems on the table, most would reach back down and pick up their...
Image of Ray Kurzweil - bringing my dreams to real life in a virtual world
Ray Kurzweil - bringing my dreams to real life in a virtual world
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
When I was much younger, I told my father I believed I would live forever. He asked how that would happen and gently reminded me that we all die sooner or later. I explained that I believed we would...
Image of The ethics of the placebo effect
The ethics of the placebo effect
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
A placebo is a sham or simulated medical intervention by a doctor in which some patients experience actual improvements in their conditions. Although it doesn't work on everyone, these effects in pat...
Image of Good form - etiquette and manners for politeness
Good form - etiquette and manners for politeness
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Good etiquette facilitates relationships, and good relationships help us live better lives. We've previously discussed proper manners in communications. Continuing in our etiquette and manners series...
Image of The essence of political definitions: what does it mean to be a liberal?
The essence of political definitions: what does it mean to be a liberal?
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Ayn Rand once wrote that "Definitions are the guardians of rationality, the first line of defense against the chaos of mental disintegration." Perhaps that's one of the reasons politics always appear...
Image of Other people are not your property
Other people are not your property
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Ron Paul has entered the US presidential race for the third time as a Republican. But he's not really a Republican - he's a Libertarian. Ron Paul, like all Libertarians, is always talking about limit...
Image of The right to health care
The right to health care
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Here's the backdrop: in 2005, the US Supreme Court ruled in Castle Rock v. Gonzales that a person does not have a constitutional right to police protection, even in the presence of a restraining orde...
Image of Would you, personally, force someone to give charity?
Would you, personally, force someone to give charity?
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
The great political theorist and economist Frédéric Bastiat wrote in The State: "The oppressor no longer acts directly by his own force on the oppressed. No, our conscience has become too fastidiou...
Image of Is neurobiology making us morally ill?
Is neurobiology making us morally ill?
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Getting people to agree on objective moral principles is difficult, to say the least. Moral codes seem to span the gamut of culture, time, environment, experience, geography, gender, race, etc. Could...
Image of The cosmic conflict of religion and science
The cosmic conflict of religion and science
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
If you're looking for the meaning of life, religions are ready with an answer. As of yet, science doesn't have an answer, other than to possibly claim that there isn't any purpose. (Nihilists of the...
Image of The ethics of capitalism
The ethics of capitalism
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with morality, and the moral code/ideology used when differentiating between right and wrong is critical (e.g., consider that Hitler used national socialis...
Image of US has highest prison population - why?
US has highest prison population - why?
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Let this sink in for a moment: the United States has the highest prisoner population rate in the world. That's right, even more than China. (And, no - that doesn't include all of the hidden prisons i...
Image of Legislating morality and homosexuality
Legislating morality and homosexuality
valme.io link posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Politics are a disgusting abyss of failed attempts to legislate morality. But why is it like that? Perhaps one of the primary reasons is because people can't seem to agree on what morality is; or, mo...
Image of Sports socialism
Sports socialism
editorial posted by 258 days ago in braincrave
Discussing sports, Noam Chomsky once remarked: "Take, say, sports -- that's another crucial example of the indoctrination system, in my view. For one thing because it -- you know, it offers people so...
Image of Environmental suicide
Environmental suicide
editorial posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
Contrary to what the United Nations does, Mother Earth doesn't have a conscience. She can't tell us which of her resources she wants us to save, which to take care of, and which to use. Ergo, how we...
Image of Reducing HIV/AIDS by eliminating IP laws
Reducing HIV/AIDS by eliminating IP laws
valme.io link posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
In the adventure film Sahara, General Kazim states: "Don't worry. It's Africa. Nobody cares about Africa." In 2009, it's estimated that 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, with almost 70% liv...
Image of Government's taunt: "I know you are but what am I?"
Government's taunt: "I know you are but what am I?"
valme.io link posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
There's an old Russian political joke where an American and a Soviet car salesmen are arguing about who makes better cars. The American asks: "How many decades does an average Soviet man need to work...
Image of Copyright trolling
Copyright trolling
valme.io link posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which revolutionized the cotton industry. But he had a hard time profiting from his invention because he tried to charge farmers a huge price (2/5 of their profits...
Image of Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand's vision and warning
Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand's vision and warning
valme.io link posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
There's an adage that goes: if you've got enemies, it means you stood up for something in life. Out of all of the potential philosophies that you could adopt in your life, perhaps none may be more co...
Image of Learned helplessness
Learned helplessness
editorial posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
In 1967, psychologist Martin Seligman performed an experiment on dogs by shocking them with electricity which appeared to start and stop at random. After the dogs were conditioned, he put the dogs in...
Image of If women ruled the world
If women ruled the world
valme.io link posted by 260 days ago in braincrave
Do a search on the web and you'll find all sorts of criteria for what makes an effective leader. People can't even seem to agree on the definition of leadership. As a result, theories abound. But wha...
Image of People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
The US government consists of a bunch of hypocrites. I know, tell you something you don't know, right? Recently, Hillary Clinton and her lackeys at the US State Department released the Country Re...
Image of Pronouncing moral judgment
Pronouncing moral judgment
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Sometimes it seems that the worse things get, the more we tolerate. It's not that we become impartial to a particular wrong, but it does seem that we often "sit on the fence" when we see wrongdoing....
Image of Beauty and the eyes of the beholder
Beauty and the eyes of the beholder
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Many women like having big breasts. They also like looking good. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons, of the 13 million cosmetic plastic surgeries performed annually, women seek 9...
Image of When what you're doing in economics doesn't work, just do more of it
When what you're doing in economics doesn't work, just do more of it
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
You can call a fish a duck, but that doesn't make it so. Does anyone else find it funny that people claiming to be anarchists - which is, by definition, being against government - are rioting in su...
Image of The value of "no"
The value of "no"
editorial posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Alexander Pope once said: "A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying that he is wiser today than he was yesterday." As in any discussion about a topic of...
Image of Any monkey can be an artist
Any monkey can be an artist
editorial posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
We experience art as an emotional reaction to our senses. Enjoying art has a personal meaning and relevance; therefore, we evaluate art differently depending upon our own values, perceptions, and kno...
Image of Epic win - making a better world with video games
Epic win - making a better world with video games
editorial posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
"Gamers are super-empowered hopeful individuals." They are masters at figuring things out, even medical problems. So who wants to use gaming to change the world? There are many problems to address...
Image of What's an hour of your life worth?
What's an hour of your life worth?
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
So many consider money as the primary asset in life. Sometimes we are so caught up in the "rat race" that we forget that money, and each possession we acquire from it, costs us something very valuabl...
Image of America is very hostile to many businesses, believe it or not
America is very hostile to many businesses, believe it or not
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Attention US government. You're not very bright. By having a high corporate tax rate, you are pushing jobs, profits, patents, executives, research, and operations of US companies overseas. (And, as a...
Image of OMG! There's Discrimination in the Modeling Industry!
OMG! There's Discrimination in the Modeling Industry!
editorial posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
New research confirms scandal: not just anyone can be a supermodel. Such discrimination! Say the word discrimination and most immediately think of prejudice. In many countries, by law, employers cann...
Image of Administering justice through self-injury
Administering justice through self-injury
editorial posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Pain is a part of life, and we all have different ways to deal with it. In what might appear to be a strange contradiction, some even go so far as to self-inflict pain in order to avoid pain. It's al...
Image of Better ideas - the Socratic method
Better ideas - the Socratic method
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Socrates, the philosopher who claimed the contradiction "I know that I know nothing," provided us with a method to help us question what we think we know and to demonstrate otherwise: the Socratic me...
Image of America's leading leftist intellectual is angry
America's leading leftist intellectual is angry
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
"America's leading leftist intellectual" and MIT professor Noam Chomsky once remarked that "The U.S. is a leading terrorist state, as are its clients." He has said "that there is no War on Terror." H...
Image of War powers and rebranded neoconservativism
War powers and rebranded neoconservativism
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Can we all agree that, no matter who it is, the US president does not have the legitimate power to bomb another nation without an act of Congress formally declaring war? Five wars have been declar...
Image of Society and the meaning of individual actions
Society and the meaning of individual actions
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Libertarians are often talking about freedom and liberty. Thomas Jefferson claimed in his magnum opus the Declaration of Independence that we all have a right to liberty. But freedom and liberty aren...
Image of Politics - a zero-sum game
Politics - a zero-sum game
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
In politics, it seems that everything is an issue. Why? Because everything that politicians do is based on wealth redistribution - taking from one person and giving to another. As a result, politics...
Image of Japanese inspiration
Japanese inspiration
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
If we don't stand for something, then we stand for nothing. In her famous novel Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand asks through Dr. Robert Stadler: "Have you ever felt the longing for someone you could admire?...
Image of Intellectual bankruptcy
Intellectual bankruptcy
valme.io link posted by 261 days ago in braincrave
Why aren't liberals abandoning Obama when he does the same things for which they screamed at Bush (e.g., indefinite detention at Guantanamo, approving torture)? Because they have nowhere else to go....