I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Friday, October 30, 2015

Linkee-poo dances the time warp, again

Why we carve pumpkins in America, instead of turnips. (Grokked from Matt Staggs)

"In The Prophecy, a striking series by Dakar-based photographer Fabrice Monteiro, majestic alien creatures wear hoop skirts and headdresses made from soda cans, garbage bags, fishing nets, tortoise shells, and the odd baby doll. It isn’t just fashion photography at its most theatrical and cinematic…" Wow. (Grokked from Alex C. Renwick)

Turns out the differences between the male and female brain… not so much. Pointed to for various reasons, not the least of which is how "medicine" is not actually science, because when real science comes along it overturns a lot of thinking and "accepted wisdom." (Grokked from Jer)

The Hidden Brain podcast show on compassion. There's a thought experiment in there that has me thinking about a lot of things. Compassion and service are very big things in my life and I struggle hard to follow my precepts sometimes. Compassion is the very heart of Buddhism. Some days I fail because of choice, some days because of ignorance. Anyway, here is the transcript of the show.

Solar cells at 25% efficiency and decreased manufacturing costs. Shit's getting serious now. (Grokked from Robert J Bennett)

Yes, Virginia, child marriages happen right here in the US. Just in case you hear someone spout off about our supposed "cultural superiority." Put that in your "Traditional Definition of Marriage" pipe and smoke it.

Have gong, will travel. A high school puts a football coach on leave after Satanists plan a protest "prayer." Seems the coach, after being admonished for leading students in prayer before games, took to bending knee after the games while on the field. Some people at the school felt it was still too much so they contacted local Satanists. They then wrote a letter to the school board saying that such an act opens the field to religious practices and therefore it is open to all religious practices, and they would be by to express theirs. Besides robes and incense they have a gong.

Florida goes for a two-in-one discrimination bill disguised as "religious freedom" bill. Not only does it enshrine homophobic idiocy, it also goes for misogyny. This is what the modern conservative movement is all about. I wonder if I could claim my deeply held believe in "do unto others" for refusing to treat conservatives? (Grokked from Janiece)

So, ever wonder why teachers have strong unions and seniority rules? This is one reason. My guess is there is a lot of back story here, where a teacher of the year just resigns instead of having to reprove her certificate to teach the class she's teaching. Note the recent move from 3rd to 5th grade, made by administrators. Note the comment about "another round of testing." This is a teacher who has been harassed out of a job. This is not uncommon.

It's beginning to look a lot like teh Crazy. Yep, they're coming for the Beckster. Even if the Trumpster wins, he'll be gunning for the Beckster. Paranoia strikes deep… Actually, it's the victimization and martyrdom mindset of the social conservative at play here. There's a dash of "we ain't with those guys, really" as well (you know, so they can say they're non-partisan and they're not a part of the GOP).

In other news, Glen Beck is still on the air?

Woman set on fire. No, not somewhere else, right here in the US. The KKK is still active, and still committing horrific crimes. (Grokked from Janiece)

After the GOP's very bad, no-good day of debating, the candidates want to change the rules. Why won't the debate moderators just let them give their stump speeches? Why won't they let them just say whatever the hell they want? Why do they have to answer questions and maybe have their viewpoints challenged? That's not what debates are for. Debates are to get in front of the voters and tell your story, not answer questions or be challenged on your past or maybe have your ideas called into question and being forced to defend them and get deeper into the questions of the day. This snark brought to you by the RNC, of which the candidates are ready to drop. Reality, she's a stone-hearted bitch. Especially when you've lived your life in the spin-cycle.

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