13 DEC 2017 by ideonexus

 Despair, Cynicism, and Absurdism

Whereas modern cynicism brought despair about the ability of the human species to realize laudable ideals, postmodern cynicism doesn't — not because it's optimistic, but because it can't take ideals seriously in the first place. The prevailing attitude is Absurdism. A postmodern magazine may be irreverent, but not bitterly irreverent, for it's not purposefully irreverent; its aim is indiscriminate, because everyone is equally ridiculous. And anyway, there's no moral basis for passing judgme...
Folksonomies: despair cynicism
Folksonomies: despair cynicism
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I often see the attitudes of self-proclaimed cynics as actually expressions of despair. When I find myself enjoying media that these cynics claim to enjoy for nihilistic messages, like Rick and Morty, my appreciation of the media comes from what I see as absurdity.

20 DEC 2014 by ideonexus

 Kindness and Generosity Make for Long Lasting Relationships

Throughout the day, partners would make requests for connection, what Gottman calls “bids.” For example, say that the husband is a bird enthusiast and notices a goldfinch fly across the yard. He might say to his wife, “Look at that beautiful bird outside!” He’s not just commenting on the bird here: he’s requesting a response from his wife — a sign of interest or support — hoping they’ll connect, however momentarily, over the bird. The wife now has a choice. She can respond ...
Folksonomies: mindfulness relationships
Folksonomies: mindfulness relationships
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21 JUN 2012 by ideonexus

 Happiness Comes from Finding Balance

I do not believe that science per se is an adequate source of happiness, nor do I think that my own scientific outlook has contributed very greatly to my own happiness, which I attribute to defecating twice a day with unfailing regularity. Science in itself appears to me neutral, that is to say, it increases men's power whether for good or for evil. An appreciation of the ends of life is something which must be superadded to science if it is to bring happiness, but only the kind of society to...
Folksonomies: life happiness
Folksonomies: life happiness
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Bertrand Russell's observations in his old age.

01 JUN 2012 by ideonexus

 Mathematics is More Popular Than Music

The fact is that there are few more 'popular' subjects than mathematics. Most people have some appreciation of mathematics, just as most people can enjoy a pleasant tune; and there are probably more people really interested in mathematics than in music. Appearances may suggest the contrary, but there are easy explanations. Music can be used to stimulate mass emotion, while mathematics cannot; and musical incapacity is recognized (no doubt rightly) as mildly discreditable, whereas most people ...
Folksonomies: mathematics music
Folksonomies: mathematics music
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People can enjoy music emotionally despite not understanding it technically, more people understand mathematics a even a little technically but fear causes them to discredit their ability.

01 SEP 2011 by ideonexus

 Rainbow More Beautiful Through Science

Nor ever yet The melting rainbow's vernal-tinctur'd hues To me have shone so pleasing, as when first the hand of science pointed out the path In which the sun-beams gleaming from the west Fall on the watery cloud.
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Poet describes how his appreciation of the rainbow's hues are increased by knowing through science that they are created by sunbeams on watery clouds.

09 JUN 2011 by ideonexus

 Teaching Children Science by Drawing Nature

The British and Irish emphasis on drawing from nature (which has lessened in those places, too) helped develop powers of observation and reinforced curiosity about the natural world. A child who has watched whirligigs and water striders on the surface of a stream will appreciate the importance of clean water. A child who has observed the clouds, their heapings and tumblings, their dark massings and silver linings, will be better prepared to understand the relationship between cloud cover and ...
Folksonomies: nature education naturalism
Folksonomies: nature education naturalism
  1  notes

American schoolchildren aren't pushed to draw and immerse themselves in nature; therefore, they don't get the appreciation for it and desire for biodiversity.

04 MAY 2011 by ideonexus

 A Complex and Majestic Universe

To discover that the Universe is some 8 to 15 billion and not 6 to 12 thousand years old improves our appreciation of its sweep and grandeur; to entertain the notion that we are a particularly complex arrangement of atoms, and not some breath of divinity, at the very least enhances our respect for atoms; to discover, as now seems probable, that our planet is one of billions of other worlds in the Milky Way galaxy and that our galaxy is one of billions more, majestically expands the arena of w...
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The complexity of our Universe and our existence "majestically expands the arena of what is possible."

19 APR 2011 by ideonexus

 Art and Science Both Recreate Reality

The discoveries of science, the works of art are explorations — more, are explosions, of a hidden likeness. The discoverer or the artist presents in them two aspects of nature and fuses them into one. This is the act of creation, in which an original thought is born, and it is the same act in original science and original art. But it is not therefore the monopoly of the man who wrote the poem or who made the discovery. On the contrary, I believe this view of the creative act to be tion. The...
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...and both make the heart skip a beat with the effort.