http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/academics/philosophy/Baker%20math%20expl%20cicada%20Mind.pdf
This post is completely unrelated to our course. Mark Leonard mentioning cicadas at the beginning of Chapter 10 in Why Europe... reminded me of this phenomenon that I love help other people discover. It really underlines how present, as well as amazing, mathematics are in our world.
Read until the end of section 2.2 of this argument for mathematical realism. There is a cool-as-shit case study of cicadas that show how intelligent evolution is. The natural world is mind bogglingly impressive.
Skip sections 1.2 and 1.3 if you must
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Too Big To Fail
In the past I've said that I don't fully understand what it means to be "too big to fail". This article is a good first-read on the topic. As of now I'm still convinced that it's a term that comes from the corruption of a blended public/private sector. Some companies that were "too big to fail" weren't even banks (AIG). Some more research should be done before I publicly give my opinion, I guess.
Read up, and enjoy the hilarious picture of Barney Frank.
Read up, and enjoy the hilarious picture of Barney Frank.
The Soul
Plato's Phaedo Sparknoted
The complete Phaedo
We touched on the idea of what the soul was today in class. Plato's Phaedo is focused on this topic, and is an interesting and relatively simple work. I suggest reading the Sparknoted Phaedo and then browsing through some of the original text.
This book is the last we hear from Socrates before he swallows the hemlock and dies. Press Apple+F (or control+f, for Nick) and search for the word 'swan.' In this paragraph and those which surround it Socrates says some wonderful and enlightening things about death.
Socrates and Plato, of course, weren't the only ones who believed in soul, and they probably knew a lot less about it than this man...
The complete Phaedo
We touched on the idea of what the soul was today in class. Plato's Phaedo is focused on this topic, and is an interesting and relatively simple work. I suggest reading the Sparknoted Phaedo and then browsing through some of the original text.
This book is the last we hear from Socrates before he swallows the hemlock and dies. Press Apple+F (or control+f, for Nick) and search for the word 'swan.' In this paragraph and those which surround it Socrates says some wonderful and enlightening things about death.
Socrates and Plato, of course, weren't the only ones who believed in soul, and they probably knew a lot less about it than this man...
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Spain's European Identity Shaken By Debt Crisis
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126781293I found this article very interest because it talks about the identity conversion within Spain. It talks about how for years Spain has been trying to have a European identity and have gained it, in most aspects. However, the main aspect it has gained is the luxuries life style and over spending. I found it very interesting that it considered European identity as overspending. In a way it seems like they are pushing some blame for Spain's crisis on this European identity. Spain has accomplished some of the goals except being rich, which is one of the most important. It is possible for an identity to have an overspending or rich characteristic?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Kazantip
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/01/25/ukraine.kazantip/index.html
I found this article extremely interesting because although this is a large music festival the organizers view themselves as "The Republic of Kazantip." Concert goers must acquire "visas" instead of tickets to go and abide by the month-long event´s constitution. Does this month-long concert actually count as a real Republic? The creator even calls it "the great Kazantipian nation." Is he correct?
I found this article extremely interesting because although this is a large music festival the organizers view themselves as "The Republic of Kazantip." Concert goers must acquire "visas" instead of tickets to go and abide by the month-long event´s constitution. Does this month-long concert actually count as a real Republic? The creator even calls it "the great Kazantipian nation." Is he correct?
The European Union System
A nice visual explanation of the workings of the European Union system including the latest changes made by the Treaty of Lisbon. What are your views on the functioning of this system?? What are the advantages and disdvantages on focusing on process and law for the EU parliament?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Identity
I find this video quite entertaining but the reason I'm posting it is for the short conversation about background/heritage. I find it very true that people associate how you look to where you come from. Just the other day a guy walked up to my friend (my friend is black) here in Alicante and asked him where he was from. He said the U.S. then the guy went on and asked "where are you from originally? Which country in Africa did you come from?" I've heard from many Americans not just black that they are constantly force to identify themselves with a different country. Seeing that no one wants to believe that anyone is truly from America.
Mapping Stereotypes
http://alphadesigner.com/project-mapping-stereotypes.html
In class on Monday we were wondering if there is any kind of culture or association that can be attributed to all of Europe. Also, what do we as Americans think of when hear the words 'Europe', 'France' or 'Italy'. I've provided a link to a series of maps, all created by one man, that show how countries are often stereotyped. There are many maps, supposed to be from the perspective of one country or another. They reveal how different countries may stereotype other countries in different ways. Don't be mistaken, these maps are meant to be more funny and offensive than accurate, but it is an interesting portfolio none the less.
In class on Monday we were wondering if there is any kind of culture or association that can be attributed to all of Europe. Also, what do we as Americans think of when hear the words 'Europe', 'France' or 'Italy'. I've provided a link to a series of maps, all created by one man, that show how countries are often stereotyped. There are many maps, supposed to be from the perspective of one country or another. They reveal how different countries may stereotype other countries in different ways. Don't be mistaken, these maps are meant to be more funny and offensive than accurate, but it is an interesting portfolio none the less.
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