Must-have software for Mac OS X

Great list of the best Mac OS X software. Almost a CC of my Applications folder!

read more | digg story

What to do when they ask for your SSN: "What to do when they ask for your SSN - Many people are concerned about the number of organizations asking for their Social Security Numbers. They worry about invasions of privacy and the oppressive feeling of being treated as just a number. Unfortunately, I can't offer any hope about the dehumanizing effects of identifying you with your numbers. I *can* try to help you keep your Social Security Number from being used as a tool in the invasion of your privacy.From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Impeach the Monkey NOW!: "Impeach the Monkey NOW! - Sources said a prelude to the impeachment process could begin with hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February. They said the hearings would focus on the secret electronic surveillance program and whether Mr. Bush violated the 1978 ForeignFrom cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

FEMA failed to accept Katrina help, documents say: "FEMA failed to accept Katrina help, documents say - Federal emergency officials failed to accept offers of possibly life-saving aid from the Department of Interior immediately after Hurricane Katrina, according to documents obtained by CNN.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of a Senate committee with jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, said the additional resources may have saved lives.

Now, what possible motivation could FEMA had had for not accepting help
Hint: $$$$From Exposing the Criminals"

Why and how gasoline will become obsolete.

This is a great article from CNNMoney that talks about the benefits of ethanol and how it could become a major player in automobiles very soon.

read more | digg story

Band sells 120,000 copies of album thanks to online downloading.

The Arctic monkeys sell 120,000 copies of their first album. It is the fastest selling album in britain thanks to their internet downloading savyness. They promoted the sites that illegally played their music and they gave out demo copies which spread on the internet that gained interest.
Take that RIAA.

read more | digg story

Abe-1

Abe-1, originally uploaded by lanoo1111.

Asthma-inhaler ban backed: "Asthma-inhaler ban backed - Asthma sufferers may not be able to buy nonprescription inhalers much longer because the devices contain propellants that harm the ozone layer.Does that mean I have to through out my inhalers BTW, I no longer need them. I fixed my asthma using alternative medical methods.From Surfer"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

White House hindering Katrina probe: "White House hindering Katrina probe - The White House is dodging questions about Hurricane Katrina response and has instructed other agencies to join it in fending off investigators, Sen. Joseph Lieberman said on Tuesday. The White House denies the allegations.From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

The Top 25 purchasers of renewable energy.

Just a current list of the top purchasers of renewable energy. What caught my eye is who is number one on the list. The list is directly from the EPA and is current of January 10, 2006.

read more | digg story

Celestia: "

Like Google Earth, for space. Celesita overlays modern telescope and spacecraft photography on a surprisingly detailed working model of the known universe. You can fly around like a flight simulator and change the flow of time — watching cities light up as the night sweeps across Earth one minute and zooming out past the Milky Way the next.

There’s also a lively community that makes and shares expansions to the program, allowing you to add new objects and trajectories, and switch out the images rendered on existing objects. You can also load up and track space telescopes, probes, satellites, and stations; or even the Millennium Falcon and Deep Space Nine.

IMAGES [screenshots]
LINK [Mac, PC, or Linux] (via Wohba!)

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

Bush's Job Approval Rating Returns to Record Low: "Bush's Job Approval Rating Returns to Record Low - George W. Bush's overall job approval rating has returned to its lowest point in Bush's presidency as Americans again turn less optimistic about the national economy according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. Among all Americans, 36% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 58% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 34% approve and 60% disapprove.From SDFLKJ"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Sundance 2006 Shorts: "

image: Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE

The Sundance Film Festival has over 50 documentary, film, and animation shorts available to watch on their website for free, with more on the way.

LINK/VIDEOS [Sundance Shorts] (via TEDBlog)
LINK [Sundance 2006]

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

Insane Aurora Video

The IMAGE satellite captured this view of the Aurora Australis (southern lights) on September 11, 2005, four days after a record-setting solar flare sent plasma flying towards the Earth. The ring of light that the solar storm generated over Antarctica glows green in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

read more | digg story

Cash meant for Iraqis 'misused' - what a f'n surprise!: "Cash meant for Iraqis 'misused' - what a f'n surprise! - Large bundles of cash meant for Iraq's reconstruction were stashed in filing cabinets, handed over without receipts and gambled away, a report has found.From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

The Last Question - By Isaac Asimov

The Last Question - By Isaac Asimov: "The Last Question - By Isaac Asimov - Isaac Asimov was the most prolific science fiction author of all time. In fifty years he averaged a new magazine article, short story, or book every two weeks, and most of that on a manual typewriter. Asimov thought that The Last Question, first copyrighted in 1956, was his best short story ever. Even if you do not have the background in science to be familiar with all of the concepts presented here, the ending packs more impact than any other book that I've ever read. Don't read the end of the story first!From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Bizarre Sex Habits of The Extreme Right-Wing: "Bizarre Sex Habits of The Extreme Right-Wing - AC: 'Are you suggesting that everybody who grows up on a farm in Georgia has a mule as a girlfriend '

NH: It has historically been the case. You people are so far removed from the reality... Welcome to domestic life on the farm...'From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Zipdecode: "

Understand how and where zip codes are assigned and located in seconds. Just load the website and start typing your zip code; it will narrow your search the more you type and widen it when you hit backspace.

Created by Ben Fry at the MIT Media Laboratory. Check out his website for other interesting information design as well.

LINK [Zipdecode] (via digg)
LINK [Ben Fry]

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

Despite Illegal Downloading RIAA/IFPI Tripled Profits In Last 2 Years!

Despite illegal music downloading on the internet being at an all time high, the RIAA/IFPA have experienced an all time high in profits, tripling where they were 2 years ago!

read more | digg story

MENSA Workout 30 Questions

You have a half hour to answer 30 questions...see if you're good enough to become a member of this elite society...

read more | digg story

330MPG Uber Hybrid Car?

They plan to sell a revolutionary hybrid two-seater car that they say can get up to 330 miles per gallon, and will sell for under $20,000.

read more | digg story

Video: Totally freaky liquid metal moving sculptures

Ferrofluid (magnetic fluid) sculptures by two Japanese artists that move like something out of a science fiction movie. You have to watch the video!

read more | digg story

Top 100 Lists of US cities.

'Top 100' lists on highest income, least crime, newest houses, most females, shortest commute, best educated residents, and many more.

read more | digg story

Quantum Computing is now reality, transhumanists rejoice: "Quantum Computing is now reality, transhumanists rejoiceQuantum Computing Steps Forward With the University of Michigan’s latest production of a quantum chip, it’s another step forward for qu..."

(Via SHOCK & AWE.)

Free File- File taxes for free: "Free File- File taxes for free - If the amount is not specified, Free File services are limited to taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income of $50,000 or less; or otherwise as noted.From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Kicking A Spammer In The Nuts Daily: "Kicking A Spammer In The Nuts Daily - Kicking A Spammer In The Nuts Daily Turns Out To Be EffectiveFrom Surfer"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Superdickery.com: "Superdickery.com - From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Defense Tech: NSA Wiretap Tips: Lame: "Defense Tech: NSA Wiretap Tips: Lame - There are a ton of problems with data mining for potential enemies of the state. Privacy is one, of course. But another is its questionable utility. It doesn't make you a jihadist, because you've e-mailed Chris Allbritton, who interviews guerillas sometimes. Or because you've said 'bomb' and 'trainwreck' in the same overseas call. Just look at all the hijinks with our 'no-fly' lists, to see what an imprecise science we're talking about here.From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

An animated GIF showing a stabilized version of the infamous Bigfoot film.

The title says it all.

read more | digg story

Guitar Shred Show: "Guitar Shred Show - Mr.Fastfinger - shred away!From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Army Orders Soldiers to Shed Armor or Lose Death Benefits: "Army Orders Soldiers to Shed Armor or Lose Death Benefits - Two deploying soldiers and a concerned mother reported Friday afternoon that the U.S. Army appears to be singling out soldiers who have purchased Pinnacle's Dragon Skin Body Armor for special treatment.From cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Toei Japanese Spideman: "Live-action Japanese Spiderman show from 1978. Fan subtitled in English."

(Via MilkandCookies.com: Headlines.)

360 Degrees Panoramic Photographs

Take a virtual tour of over 20 European locations by looking full-screen at these 360-degrees panoramic photographs. There are both well-known cities and those that are not as famous. Some of these pictures are truly amazing!

read more | digg story

Algae may save the planet from global warming: "Been posted but didn't go anywhere, so we'll try this again! Forget hydrogen fuel cells, the future of cutting pollution and creating clean fuels may lie with every aquarium owners nemesis: algae."

(Via digg.)

42 Quality Google Videos

Need to kill some time? 42 popular videos from "The Best of Google Video" Project.

read more | digg story

Ask Dolly Doctorb: "Ask Dolly Doctorb - Some very tasteless adviceFrom cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Music maker: "Music maker - Click on the fingers for the music ...From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Bush Authorized Domestic Spying before 9/11: "Bush Authorized Domestic Spying before 9/11 - ...The NSA's vast data-mining activities began shortly after Bush was sworn in as president and the document contradicts his assertion that the 9/11 attacks prompted him to take the unprecedented step of signing a secret executive order authorizing the NSA to monitor a select number of American citizens thought to have ties to terrorist groups...From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Bush could seize absolute control of U.S. government: "Bush could seize absolute control of U.S. government - President George W. Bush has signed executive orders giving him sole authority to impose martial law, suspend habeas corpus and ignore the Posse Comitatus Act that prohibits deployment of U.S. troops on American streets. This would give him absolute dictatorial power over the government with no checks and balances.From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Is your city mean to the homeless?: "Read full story for latest details."

(Via CNN.com.)

BOONDOCKS - THE FILM AND VIDEO GAME: Aaron McGruder property to move from the sticks into Tinsel Town and Xboxes.: "BOONDOCKS - THE FILM AND VIDEO GAME: Aaron McGruder property to move from the sticks into Tinsel Town and Xboxes."

(Via Black Entertainment : Black News : Urban News : Hip Hop News - EURWEB.com.)

Israel rejects Pat Robertson Funding: "Israel rejects Pat Robertson Funding - Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson has shunned US evangelical leader Pat Robertson shortly before the two were to sign a major funding deal for the Galilee Christian Heritage Center after Robertson suggested that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was a punishment from God for the Gaza Strip withdrawal, The Jerusalem Post has learned.'The minister has very strong views on this and cannot accept what was said,' Tourism Ministry spokesman Ido Hartuv said. 'We reconsidered the deal and realized that we cannot sign with Robertson or anyone who supports his views.'From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

An affectionate scarf: "

TapTap is a scarf that can record, distribute and play back affectionate touch for emotional therapy.

Based on haptic devices, taptap can be re-configured to record and play back the touch that is most meaningful to each user. It is made from felt in two layers: one grey one that faces the public and a pink layer that touches you and contains the haptic modules in specially designed pockets. Taptap can be worn as a regular scarf, and custom touch modules can be placed in powered pockets within to record and play back touch where and when you want it.

Three kinds of touch can be played back: the pressure of touch, the warmth of contact and the percussion of a friendly tap. You can record these sensations by placing the record/playback modules in the pockets of the scarf where they receive power.

To play touch back, place the modules where you want to feel the touch and wrap the scarf around yourself tightly.

Movie showing wmmna's favourite model interacting with the scarf on the website. PDF.

Developed by Leonardo Bonanni, Jeff Lieberman, Cati Vaucelle and Orit Zuckerman.

The project is part of the second Seamless fashion show, to be held on February 1, at the Boston Museum of Science.

More scarves: intimate memory clothing, Chameleon scarf, Wearables for a distant society , the emotional wardrobe, summer scarf, Pod the massager, and whiSpiral.

"

(Via we make money not art.)

Taiwan breeds green-glowing pigs

Scientists in Taiwan say they have bred three pigs that glow in the dark. The pigs are transgenic, created by adding genetic material from jellyfish into a normal pig embryo.

read more | digg story

Gollum, Smeagol Vs. Kong: "

Andy Serkis, the voice actor and CGI model for Gollum/Smeagol and King Kong, was on Conan recently and acts out a fight between the two.

VIDEO

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

Was Jesus A Stoner: "Was Jesus A Stoner - Jesus was almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings.From feelingravity"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Donahue Gets Angry: "Donahue Gets Angry - Donahue 1, O'Reilly 0From Popper"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

US troops seize award-winning Iraqi journalist: "US troops seize award-winning Iraqi journalist - American troops in Baghdad yesterday blasted their way into the home of an Iraqi journalist working for the Guardian and Channel 4, firing bullets into the bedroom where he was sleeping with his wife and children.Ali Fadhil, who two months ago won the Foreign Press Association young journalist of the year award, was hooded and taken for questioning. He was released hours later.Freedom of the Press in action"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Neocons Considered Planting WMD Evidence in Iraq: "Neocons Considered Planting WMD Evidence in Iraq - A recent Raw Story report by Larissa Alexandrovna suggests that the notorious Office of Special Plans didn t just stovepipe cherry-picked intelligence to the White House and press. It also sent teams into Iraq after the invasion began, which, after it became apparent that there were no abundant WMDs, examined the possibility of planting such weapons in order to help the resident avoid embarrassment."

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

The Most Popular Myths in Science: "The Most Popular Myths in Science - It takes seven years to digest gumFrom cw"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Stem cells faked for article

Stem cells faked for article, Korean doctor says: "A doctor who provided human eggs for research by
cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk said in a broadcast
Thursday that the South Korean scientist agreed to
withdraw a key research paper because most of the
stem cells produced for the article were faked."

(Via leve1.)

Latest iTunes Dials Home Without Your Permission: "

We don't mind it when software dials back home to its creator company—we mind when it does so without asking. Apparently the newest version of iTunes (6.0.2) includes a 'Mini-Store' pane which sends information about the current song you are listening to back to Apple (via a company called 'Omniture') so they can push suggested albums or songs based on your existing collection. Readers of Boing Boing have determined that turning off the Mini-Store does deactivate the behavior, but it's something of which you should be aware.

Why does it matter? In this particular case, it really doesn't. Apple is just trying to sell you some more iTunes downloads. But the fact remains that your listening habits should be your own business and if Apple wants to collect your personal information so as to better tailor their offers to you, they should have to ask your permission first. (Even though that likely means burying such terms inside a cryptic EULA.)

Comment on this post
Related: Postal Workers Busted Stealing Netflix DVDs
Related: Time Warner CEO Helps Customer on Street Scare Time Warner Employee"

(Via Consumerist.)

William Shatner: Has Been: "

After his rendition of ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ on the infamous Golden Throats album (though it first appeared on the Transformed Man LP), one could argue that the world needed a new William Shatner album about as much as it needed a big-screen remake of TJ Hooker. But Shatner’s back all the same with an intriguing, introspective collection of mostly spoken-word tracks that are all the more compelling when it becomes clear that Has Been is, in fact, no joke.

Amazon.com

It’s as if Shatner’s been waiting a lifetime to get these thoughts out there, and hearing him relish every word, a man now transformed, is the primary draw of this album. Has Been is a brilliant spoken-word album, performed by a man now 73 years old. And somehow, it just might be the pop album of the year.

PopMatters

Seriously — if your skeptical eye hasn’t already skimmed past this in disgust at me posting about purportedly nonsensical garbage — let me assure you, this album is excellent. Not crusing- down- the- highway- with- the- top- down- excellent (although I’ll think no less of you for it (actually, more)), but that’s not what it’s going for. And don’t worry, Shatner writes and performs the lyrics, poignant and insightful — not the music — for that he turns to talents like Ben Folds, Lemon Jelly, and Aimee Mann, among others. My favorites are ‘Common People’, ‘It Hasn’t Happened Yet’, ‘You’ll Have Time’, ‘That’s Me Trying’, ‘Together’, and ‘I Can’t Get Behind That’, which is over half the album if that’s saying anything.

Here’s a couple tracks from the album and a clip of Ben Folds talking about how him and Shatner first met. The Has Been website plays high quality samples of all the songs, mixed with some interesting commentary by Shatner reflecting on the album and how it came to be; and his site over at Shout! Factory, the record label, has low quality copies of all the songs in their entirety. Now that’s how to promote a record!

AUDIO [William Shatner & Joe Jackson - ‘Common People’]
AUDIO [William Shatner & Lemon Jelly - ‘Together’]
AUDIO [Ben Folds - meeting Shatner]
LINK/PREVIEW [album website]
LINK/PREVIEW [label’s album website]

BUY/PREVIEW (iTunes) / BUY/PREVIEW (Amazon) [Has Been]
LINK [Pitchfork review]
LINK [Guardian review]

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

360 days Quicktime VR Panoramas - QTVR: "360 days Quicktime VR Panoramas - QTVR - 360 days, everyday life panoramasFrom Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist' - Yahoo! News: "Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist' - Yahoo! News - The American singer and activist Harry Belafonte called President Bush 'the greatest terrorist in the world'From Nacirema"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

The World Question Center 2006: "

Every year since 1998, the Edge Foundation has published one question, and the answers to this question from esteemed scientists and thinkers from around the world. This year’s question is ‘What is your dangerous idea?’, with 117 original essays in response.

The most dangerous idea I’ve come across so far is trying to consume all these responses in one sitting.

Here you will find indications of a new natural philosophy, founded on the realization of the import of complexity, of evolution. Very complex systems — whether organisms, brains, the biosphere, or the universe itself — were not constructed by design; all have evolved. There is a new set of metaphors to describe ourselves, our minds, the universe, and all of the things we know in it.

LINK [’What is your dangerous idea?’] (via Boing Boing, kottke.org)
LINK [The World Question Center]

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

Holophony: "

image: Jason Sims

Plug in some headphones and listen to the following recording. You’ll hear a match being lit, then a matchbox shaken and moved around you — behind and in front, then above and below. I’ve heard clever effects like this before, but nothing so realistic, and nothing that captured vertical space with just left and right channels. You can almost see the sound moving about — but only with headphones — speakers will simulate planar movement but not the full 360 degrees.

Developed in the 1980s by Hugo Zuccarelli, Holophonic Sound uses the same ‘multiple exposure’ premise as that used to create holographic images (‘holograms’). Holophonic Sound is produced by recording the interference pattern generated when the original recorded signal is combined with an inaudible digital reference signal. The recorded sound produced is so realistic, some people claim they can smell sulphur when they listen to a holophonic recording of someone striking a match!

Sound Ideas - ‘What is Holophonic Sound?’

AUDIO (via digg)
LINK/BUY [Holophonic.ch, with holophonic video and audio for sale]
LINK [Wikipedia article on holophony]

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

10 Wonders Of The New China: "

Fueled by a surging economy (…), China will soon be home to the world’s largest airport, the world’s first fully sustainable city, and the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, to name just a few of its innovative architectural feats.

A slideshow essay of incredible Chinese architectural landmarks, both current and in development, including Dongtan Eco City: the self-sustainable metropolis mentioned above, being built from scratch to hold 50,000 with expected completion in 2040.

Eyes are definately on China as a growing superpower. Although who are we to call them growing? China’s population outnumbers America four to one; and by the Chinese calendar the year is 4702, the US just a spec on the timeline.

LINK/IMAGES [slideshow] (via digg)
LINK [article]

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)

Wearing Your Dead Relatives: "The creation of artificial diamonds is by now a well established process. It has been around since the 1950’s, but until quite recently the production of sizeable gem-quality diamonds was prohibitively expensive. As of 2003, however, improvements in the process and new technologies have lowered costs so much that at least two US companies have started making artificial diamonds for the jewelry trade.
Or at least there were two. Since there is cheap available technology for making artificial diamonds, there would not seem to be much room in the field for an exclusive hold on the market. However, one company, LifeGem, has come up with a different way to corner a clientele. Wait until they die.

LifeGem holds a patent on a process for extracting carbon from cremated remains. Human or pet, they take a few ounces of ashes, process it into graphite, and then using a high-pressure system, turn the graphite... (More Inside)"

(Via Damn Interesting.)

Amputation Fetishism: "In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people openly seeking to have one or more of their healthy limbs surgically removed from their bodies. It's not a dramatic new weight loss program, but rather a disorder where a person is tormented by the overwhelming desire to have one or more of their limbs amputated. It is known as Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) or Amputee Identity Disorder, and it involves an urge so powerful that it leads many sufferers to damage the offending limbs beyond repair in order to bring about amputation. Individuals who have this bizarre condition typically refer to themselves as 'amputee wannabes.'

Sufferers of BIID often complain that they do not feel 'whole' while in possession of the limbs in question. An amputee wannabe has a very fixed idea of which limb is unwanted, and what level of... (More Inside)"

(Via Damn Interesting.)

Essential OS X Apps

Mac Specialist has updated their list of essential Mac OS X software. The list isn't exhaustive but it definitely has some good stuff and it looks like they are adding popular recommendations to the list.

read more | digg story

War of the Worlds - Orson Welles' Original Radio Broadcast from 1938 in MP3

This is the original radio broadcast from 1938 that caused panic across the country in MP3 format. (sorry about the in-direct link, had to make it digg friendly)

read more | digg story

Mac OS X Tiger Secrets Declassified

Secret shortcuts. Hidden helpers. Mysterious menus. You could spend months tracking down all the undocumented features tucked away in Mac OS X 10.4, Apple�s newest operating system.

read more | digg story

Is It Too Early? (9/11 Movie Trailer)

I bet some people are going to be pretty mad. I personally would...well...nevermind. Just watch the trailer. Looks very..."interesting..."

read more | digg story

my philosophy

Recently someone contacted me on Myspace requesting an explanation of my philosophy, Theosophy. I was happy to try to explain it as the occasion is rare when we meet people with open minds. The following was cut and pasted from my response to her. I thought I'd repost it here.--

Hi J, sorry it took so long to reply to you. It's been a tumultuous holiday. As for your question regarding Theosophy, let me first say that the subject has been a source of un-ending fascination for me and I am all too happy to discuss it's implications as it rarely if ever happens that someone asks me to explain it. Let my response in no way summarize the terms of the philosophy as it relates to everything, is expansive, goes beyond my personal experience and since it's coming from my isolated perspective I'll admit that it will be a limited explanation. I will give it a shot though.

Theosophy means God-Wisdom. Also called "The Perennial Philosophy" as it is the substratum of all our modern religions. It is not a religion in itself but more of a school of thought. After having delved into it a bit I found that it tended to unify conflicting religions when human interpretation and politics are put aside. In Theosophy there is not much talk of God, not because of any encouraged Atheism but because the concept of God is considered beyond mans intellectual grasp and is just that, a "concept" and not the direct knowledge or experience of God. I personally believe in a divine source which you can call God but see no need to box-in the whole of creation with a name.

An over-view of the system of Theosophy will reveal a synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Mystic Christianity (or Gnosis), Zoroastrianism and Science. It has roots in Ancient Egyptian religion.
The logo shows:
The AUM symbol at the top- Hindi symbol of the first vibration of the universe
The Arborous (snake eating it's tail), the Greek symbol of reincarnation
The Tibetan Swastika- which symbolizes the spiritual sun (not to be confused with the inverted and perverted Nazi Swastika)
The Seal of Solomon which symbolizes the union of masculine and feminine energy
and in the center, The Ankh, which is the Egyptian symbol for everlasting life, or reincarnation (also the Aquaba a pan-African symbol for fertility)

I have always been a Theosophist but only realized that there was a name for my ideas about a decade ago. According to Theosophy everything in the entire universe is alive and has a vibration of varying frequency. I believe that the phenomena of [so called] physical existence is a series of gradually progressive courses or grades. The grades progress in levels of complexity, from Gaseous, Mineral, Plant, Animal, Human, and finally Godhood. Each grade accumulating properties of the previous grade as with Humans having acquired gaseous (oxygen), mineral (bone, saliva), plant (circulatory system), and animal faculties (physical qualities), all of which make human life possible.
It can also be said in Theosophy that all of creation begins with Godhood and completes a circuit throughout an evolutionary cycle to reintegrate back into Godhood. I'm not really sure what Godhood means, as it is beyond my comprehension but I believe it is attained through self realization or enlightenment.
What this means to me on a practical level is to integrate the knowledge into my life that we are actually all one being. I believe that the spiritual goal for all humans is to realize this truth on a subconscious level and to relate to the world from this space. Deep understanding of this truth leads one to the teachings of the avatars that we read about, such as Jesus, Krisna, Buddha, and others through out history. When integrated, our understanding of these teachings loose their dogmatic, religious quality and judgments of right and wrong become unnecessary because the heart becomes the moral compass, rather than an external authoritarian influence and universal Love is then understood as the very ground of being. Charity and kindness become matter of fact rather than a method of gaining passage into some golden palace in the sky. When these qualities become conscious habits they are woven into ones life and one begins to create Heaven on earth. Heaven is a state of mind and it starts here and now. I think the goal of Theosophy is to let us know that we are fledgling gods and we are and have been creating our realities all along. I hope this makes sense because I know I tend to babble.
There is a movie out on video called "What the Bleep do we Know?" It's about the realities of Quantum Physics and how they may change our paradigm of the world. I found this film to be very Theosophical.

Elmo wants to Kill Children!: "Elmo wants to Kill Children! - Family members said 16-month-old Miranda Boll's new book, 'Potty Time With Elmo,' was supposed to teach an interactive lesson using voice commands.However, when the book's buttons are pressed, it reportedly says something it is not supposed to -- 'who wants to die?' "

Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me!: "

One of the best animated videos I've seen in a long time.
Go now! Don't delay!

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/moresexthanme.html

"

(Via The Monkeyking.)

Support for Bush drops among US military: "Support for Bush drops among US military - Support for President George W. Bush's Iraq policy has fallen among the US armed forces to just 54 percent from 63 percent a year ago, according to a poll by the magazine group Military Times.From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

How may have really died in Iraq?: "How may have really died in Iraq? - U.S. Military Personnel who died in German hospitals or en route to German hospitals have not previously been counted. They total about 6,210 as of 1 January, 2005. The ongoing, underreporting of the dead in Iraq, is not accurate. The DoD is deliberately reducing the figures. A review of many foreign news sites show that actual deaths are far higher than the newly reduced ones. Iraqi civilian casualties are never reported but International Red Cross, Red Crescent and UN figures indicate that as of 1 January 2005, the numbers are just under 100,000.THese numbers are a year old? What are they now? How many have really died for Bush's greed?From Outrage"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

G.W. Bush Toilet Paper: "G.W. Bush Toilet Paper - Unfortunately, it appears sold out for the now.


--PopperFrom Popper"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

Cowboy Bebop

For those of you who are fans of Japanses animation....::random clip::

Movie Gun Gallery: "Movie Gun Gallery - Now pick a movie or TV show and see the history of the weapons carried by some of the greatest silver screen personalities of yesterday and today!From Nony"

(Via Codewolf DOT Com.)

December 2005 // This Month In Finity: "

This Month In Finity is a regular installment of artifacts and developments in humanity’s never-ending quest for truth and meaning. Far from trivializing this pursuit, In Finity recognizes the importance that science, philosophy, religion, etc. play in establishing our identities and satisfying our eternal curiosity, not to mention in finding peace and balance. Be it quantum physics, zen meditation, tribal dance and music, Epictetus’ Discourses, or The Sermon on the Mount — all will find common ground here, and hopefully, a common voice with which to share their insight.

This month: Infinite Smile, Soul Made Flesh, the Global Consciousness Project, and Why God Won’t Go Away.

Press play to start the music inside your browser (requires Flash), or use the title link to do with it as you will.

Trygve Seim - Breathe

Infinite Smile

Michael McAlister leads Zen-inspired, meditative talks which are distributed as podcasts.

In 2002, we started as a group of people taking Michael’s class on meditation. We initially met at the Community Center in Lafayette, California, but in a short time we noticed that we had evolved into something more than just a collection of meditators. We had become a community of people that were sharing a Path toward an ever deepening stillness, balance, and awareness of ourselves and others. And this community is growing at an amazing speed. Currently Infinite Smile Sangha is enjoying sharing Michael’s teaching with fellow practitioners all over the globe, as the podcasts of his talks are now reaching over 100 different countries.

LINK [website]
SUBSCRIBE [podcast]

Soul Made Flesh

Author Carl Zimmer contemplates the space that seperates the brain and the mind, the body and the soul:

Our souls are material and yet immaterial: a product of chemistry but also a pulsating network of information - a network that reaches beyond the individual brain to other brains, linked by words, glances, gestures, and other equally immaterial signals, which can leave a mark as indelible on a scan as a stroke or a swig of barium, and yet never become merely physical themselves.

LINK [excerpt from book] (via Mind Hacks)
BUY [Soul Made Flesh] (Amazon)

Global Consciousness Project

For the past seven years, random number generators have been running all over the world, electronically flipping 200 coins each second, with the intention of measuring a global consciousness. The Global Consciousness Project (GCP), originating from Princeton, have named these random event generators Electrogaiagrams (EGGs) and are using them to test whether a human consciousness extends a field around the earth which can change the results of random events. They claim that when an important event occurs, such as the 9/11 terrorist attack or the Indian Ocean tsunami, the random event generators start to display patterns that should not exist in truly random sequences.

Not only does the GCP detect spikes of less-than-random activity around some important events, but according to the project it actually predicts them, too.

Daniel Lew, Damn Interesting

LINK [article] (via Damn Intersting)
LINK [article] (via Red Orbit)
LINK [Global Consciousness Project]

Why God Won’t Go Away

Quantium Biocommunication reviews the new book, Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief:

Most secular thinkers believe that religion is an entirely psychological invention—born out of confusion and fear—to help us cope with the struggles of living and comforts us in the face of the terrible certainty that we will die. But researchers Andrew Newberg and Eugene d’Aquili offer a new explanation, at once profoundly simple and scientifically precise: the religious impulse is rooted in the biology of the human brain.

LINK [article/review]
BUY [Why God Won’t Go Away] (Amazon)

"

(Via Centripetal Notion.)