Highlights

Self denial

NLN — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:46:19 +0000

Consciousness, as we’ve noted before, is a most interdisciplinary topic, and besides the neurologists, the philosophers, the AI people, the psychologists and so on, the novelists have also, in their rigourless way, delved deep into the matter. Ever since the James boys (William and Henry) started their twin-track investigation there has been an intermittent interchange between the arts and the sciences. Academics like Dan Lloyd have written novels, novelists like our friend Scott Bakker have turned their hand to serious theory.

Subject:

Brain & Behavior

Thinking about heaven, hell, purgatory, and other ways to waste your time

NLN — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:41:32 +0000

There is a conference scheduled to be held to try and bring together Catholics and Evangelicals to see if they can resolve their differences on heaven, hell, and purgatory. The announcement says:

Subject:

Atheism & Religion

Leaving the Hassidic community

NLN — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:03:11 +0000

Ultra-orthodox Jewish communities known as the Hassidim create a cocoon to protect their people from the influences of the outside world. At least when it comes to other groups that seek to separate themselves out, like the Amish, they live in fairly isolated rural communities. But the Hassidim live right in the middle of urban centers like New York, so creating a self-contained world is quite a feat.

Subject:

Atheism & Religion

What are you noticing when you adjust your binoculars?

NLN — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:17:42 +0000

Maja Spener has written an interesting critique of my 2011 book, Perplexities of Consciousness, for a forthcoming book symposium at Philosophical Studies.

Subject:

Brain & Behavior

Secret of efficient photosynthesis is decoded

NLN — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:45:51 +0000

MIT researchers find that the key to purple bacteria’s light-harvesting prowess lies in highly symmetrical molecules.

Purple bacteria are among Earth’s oldest organisms, and among its most efficient in turning sunlight into usable chemical energy. Now, a key to their light-harvesting prowess has been explained through a detailed structural analysis by scientists at MIT.

Subject:

Biology & Aging

Sagan beats Dawkins. In related news, education overcomes superstition

NLN — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:36:36 +0000

I have been doing public outreach for science since I originally moved to Tennessee in 1996. It has been a fun ride, and I’m sure it will continue to be that way for many years to come. But two of the first things I learned when debating creationists and giving talks about the nature of science were: a) nastiness doesn’t get you anywhere; and b) just because you have reason and evidence on your side doesn’t mean you are going to carry the day.

Subject:

Brain & Behavior

Potential flu pandemic lurks

NLN — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:28:40 +0000

MIT study identifies influenza viruses circulating in pigs and birds that could pose a risk to humans.

In the summer of 1968, a new strain of influenza appeared in Hong Kong. This strain, known as H3N2, spread around the globe and eventually killed an estimated 1 million people.

Subject:

Health & Medicine

SarahAbraham

NLN — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:03:59 +0000

Through a harmony of dendrites, Sarah came to feel touch upon Abraham’s skin. They were waltzing upon the beach, Ishbak on the immutable piano, and a frond brushed Abraham’s back. Sarah felt the frond as though on her own back. She caressed Abraham’s left shoulder and felt the caress as though upon her own shoulder. Abraham’s right hand was touching the skin under Sarah’s arm, and Sarah felt not only his fingers there in the usual way, but also a new complement: the smoothness of her ribs upon her own right hand.

Subject:

Brain & Behavior

Philosophy as art?

NLN — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:54:57 +0000

To decide to become a philosopher seemed as foolish to me as to decide to become a poet. Since my schooldays, however, I was guided by philosophical questions. Philosophy seemed to me the supreme, even the sole, concern of man. — Karl Jaspers

Subject:

Brain & Behavior

Scientists make steel without greenhouse-gas emissions

NLN — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:17:09 +0000

Anyone who has seen pictures of the giant, red-hot cauldrons in which steel is made — fed by vast amounts of carbon, and belching flame and smoke — would not be surprised to learn that steelmaking is one of the world's leading industrial sources of greenhouse gases. But remarkably, a new process developed by MIT researchers could change all that.

Subject:

Technology