An Apology

A few days ago I wrote a post entitled "Give the Bastards Term Limits." After thinking about it for a few days, I've decided that calling Supreme Court justices "bastards" was a pretty hypocritical move for a guy who claims to desire less invective and more understanding in our political conversation. So I've changed the title, and I'm an offering an apology here. While I disagree with the Court's decision and its potential consequences anger me, there's no need to go calling people names.

Image: HeyThereSpaceman.

Guesswork Theory is on Twitter

For years now my pal the entrepreneurial Rob Johnson has been trying to convince me to dive into the fast-paced, breviloquent world of Twitter (thank you, thesaurus.com). Today he is one giant leap closer.

Rob cleverly took this leap by sharing my recent retrospective post about the Iraq War on his Twitter account. He then sent me a link to a site which tracks how many times someone reaches my blog post from his tweet. As of press time, fifty-eight people had done so.

Fifty-eight new readers is hard to resist. Rob presented hard evidence that I could reach a lot of new readers if I injected my blog into the Twitterverse. Long story short, I've given into the temptation. I've created a Twitter account at twitter.com/justinis, where any Twitter user can follow my blog and be informed when it's updated.

I know what you're thinking: "But Justin, Twitter is annoying!" You're right! That's why I have no plans to use this account for anything other than links to my blog posts when they are written. So if you don't use Twitter, please continue on in your blissful, Twitter-free world and don't worry about missing anything from me.

Now I'm sure Rob and other members of the Twitter faithful will argue that this is a slippery slope, that once I've had a taste of the Twitter elixir I won't be able to resist. They may be right -- but if they are, it won't be the first time Rob has opened my eyes to something on the interweb.

Top 5 Things Which Have Recently Blown My Mind

1. In 1961, the only doctor at a Russian research station in Antarctica was forced to remove his own appendix to save his life. Two other inhabitants of the station (a driver and a meteorologist) held a mirror and provided instruments. The operation was a success, and believe it or not, it's not the only one of its kind.

2. In the mixed-up world of radio personality qualifications, political pundits and best-selling authors Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Sean Hannity are all college dropouts, while both of the jovial mechanics who host CarTalk have science degrees from MIT.

3. You walk up to the front desk in an office building and ask for a form. The person behind the desk bends down out of sight to get it, but then quickly moves aside while a different person pops back up to hand the form to you. If you're like 75% of people, you don't notice a thing.

4. There is more than enough food to feed the entire world. Our problem is distribution, not production.

5. Studies suggest you learn more by getting something wrong on a test than you do by getting it right.

Note: Apologies to Mr. Aaron Whitworth for my continuing superlative use of "mind-blowing."

Defend Democracy: Term Limits for the High Court

As you probably heard, last week the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that it is a violation of the First Amendment for Congress to limit corporate spending related to political campaigns. The decision overturned thirty years of campaign finance reform legislation, including the famous bipartisan McCain-Feingold bill. As a result, there are now absolutely no limits on how much a corporation can spend to promote a politician's campaign. Exxon-Mobil may spend as much as it pleases to get Sarah Palin elected in 2012. In turn, the NEA or the UAW can pour as much as it wants into an effort to elect Kucinich should he run again in the future.

There is no question in my mind that this decision will hurt the efforts of honest candidates in favor of those who are willing to take campaign contributions in exchange for political favors once they are in office (which may or may not include Palin and Kucinich, I was just using them as examples). How can we expect anybody to be capable of launching a successful campaign against a rival who is being promoted by millions of dollars from a corporate interest? It seems impossible to me, and the tragedy of this impossibility is that it wrecks the dream of what the framers of the Constitution intended: for this to be a country that was led by independent citizens with the good of their fellow Americans as their central ambition.

In addition, it baffles me how these five justices have come to the conclusion that corporations are persons, are citizens, with all the rights the Constitution affords. I suppose now that Congress is prevented from limiting their speech it follows that next week we will bestow on them the right to vote. But honestly, even if we did, that would give them less power than this terrible decision already has.

I say it baffles me, but at the same time it is woefully characteristic of a body which found that black men are property, that separate but equal is equal, that the right to privacy affords the Supreme Court the authority to decide when life begins, that it does not infringe on a citizen's rights for the government to seize his/her land and give it to private interest.

Which is why for a long time I have fervently supported the idea that Supreme Court justices should be given term limits. Those who disagree may argue that this would upset the delicate system of checks and balances that our Constitution has established, but to this I reply that the Constitution did not give the Supreme Court the power of judicial review -- the Court gave it to itself. Congress writes laws. The president can veto them. Congress can override a veto. The Supreme Court can find a law unconstitutional. Congress and the president may choose who sits on the court... every 36 years. Or Congress may attempt the near impossible task of amending the Constitution. Or Congress may not pay the Supreme Court building's electric bill. Those are the checks; good luck finding the balance.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is one over-reaching decision too many. Reversing these disastrous decisions needs to be easier. It is time for the men and women of the Supreme Court to get a little taste of American government, in the form of a six-year term. It is time to hold them accountable for the havoc they have wreaked on American democracy.

Update: The original wording of this post implied that the Citizens v. Commission  allowed corporations to give money directly to political campaigns rather than creating their own campaign efforts. I have changed the post to reflect the true nature of the ruling.

Brown vs. Cameron

On this blog I often advocate less yelling and animosity between the parties and attempt to emphasize ideas that benefit the national conversation. However, once in awhile I cannot help googling "parliament" just to watch the knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred brawls that seem to occur daily on the floor of the British legislature. I'm not sure this is the best way to make policy (and I know in the past Congress has been no different), but it's still so fun to watch!

What Netlifx Rentals Reveal About Your City

Last week the New York Times published an interactive map of Netflix rentals in major cities. After scrolling through I was struck by how this seemingly insignificant data reveal the stark, even division of Washington, DC. Interestingly enough, Erin and I live right on the dividing line.

Netlfix Rentals for Washington, DC: Rachel Getting Married

Netflix Rentals for Washington, DC: Lakeview Terrace

Quotes: Congress, Art, and the Wisdom of Youth

"This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer." Will Rogers

"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better." Andre Gide

"When it comes to forwarded emails, some of us are young enough to know better." Erin Scott

Spreading Freedom with Freedom in the Global Marketplace

No doubt by now you have heard that Google is considering pulling its business out of China after finding that the Chinese government was behind an attack on several Gmail accounts belonging to Chinese human rights activists. This is significant because the Chinese government, while maintaining a relatively free market economy (by today's standards), does not allow the free exchange of ideas within its borders and actively censors content on the internet through what has come to be called "the Great Firewall" (Google stopped obeying Chinese censorship laws last week as a result of the attack). By leaving the enormous, lucrative Chinese market, Google will send a strong message to China about the consequences of denying its people freedom of speech. So strong a message in fact, that the U.S. Secretary of State and the White House are backing Google. History is being made.

It should be pointed out that Google has been operating in China for four years, and has had no problem obeying the Chinese censorship laws during that time, which many (including myself) consider to be a contradiction of Google's "do no evil" corporate philosophy statement. In addition, Google has been slowly losing market share over these four years to China's number one search engine, which has been reported to have strong ties to the Chinese government. Nevertheless, Google is choosing the high road now, and stands to lose a lot of profit and influence, not to mention a place in the world's largest and fastest-growing market, by doing so. Google is choosing to side with its ideals and convictions over its bottom line and against the largest country in the world in the name of free speech. Plus they offer free email.

One of the things that struck me about this story is that it follows a chain of other stories that have been centering around an idea in my mind for a few months. The idea is that technology, globalization, and free trade have the power to cure societal ills including religious extremism and government oppression. Open up your country to the global free market, and other freedoms will begin to creep in. The stories are as follows (from my favorite sources of information and entertainment, of course).

In this Daily Show interview, Iranian-American academic Vali Nasr describes how he believes the demands of the middle class to make money by trading with other countries against the tradition of their extremists and the oppression of their government will lead to an economic and consequently intellectual revolution in Iran.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Vali Nasr
www.thedailyshow.com

In this TED talk, diplomat Cynthia Schneider looks at the surprising impact of popular "American Idol"-like TV shows in Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates on their societies -- not in Americanizing or damaging their culture, but instead enriching their culture (through traditional song and dance) and encouraging the growth of women's rights and democracy.

Cynthia Schneider: The surprising spread of "Idol" TV

In this hilarious Onion article, the editors tell the story of a group of terrorists who lose sight of their evil goals after spending five years assimilating into American society.

Now of course technology and globalization are not all peaches and sunshine. For America's part, spreading our less-than-beneficial exports such as fatty food, celebrity worship, and lascivious music (to name a few) can have a damaging effect on other cultures. I don't think it is wise to trumpet absolutism (technology and globalization always make all things better for all people all the time);  but there is certainly evidence that the free market can encourage communities around the world to abandon freedom-constricting practices. If we truly want to see freedom spread across the world, it may be that the best way to do it is not with our diplomacy or our military strength, but with our wallets.

Image: hunxue-er

"I've been to the mountaintop"

Today, in the midst of an unspeakably horrific tragedy, we celebrate the life of a man who faced down death, misery, and persecution with charity, courage, faith, and hope.

"You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, 'Are you Martin Luther King?' And I was looking down writing, and I said, 'Yes.' And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once that's punctured, you're drowned in your own blood—that's the end of you.

It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had merely sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheel chair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. I've forgotten what those telegrams said. I'd received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but I've forgotten what that letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and I'll never forget it. It said simply,

Dear Dr. King,

I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School.

And she said,

While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I'm a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I'm simply writing you to say that I'm so happy that you didn't sneeze.

And I want to say tonight—I want to say tonight that I too am happy that I didn't sneeze. Because if I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting-in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream, and taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1961, when we decided to take a ride for freedom and ended segregation in inter-state travel.

If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up. And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent.

If I had sneezed -- If I had sneezed I wouldn't have been here in 1963, when the black people of Birmingham, Alabama, aroused the conscience of this nation, and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill.

If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have had a chance later that year, in August, to try to tell America about a dream that I had had.

If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been down in Selma, Alabama, to see the great movement there.

If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been in Memphis to see a community rally around those brothers and sisters who are suffering.

I'm so happy that I didn't sneeze.

And they were telling me—now, it doesn't matter, now. It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us. The pilot said over the public address system, 'We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with on the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night.'

And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.

And I don't mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!

And so I'm happy, tonight.

I'm not worried about anything.

I'm not fearing any man!

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 23rd, 1968

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

I know I don't post a lot of poetry here (actually I think this is a first), and I am the last person you should ever look to for an informed, thoughtful discussion of poetry (I have wonderful friends for that), but I was moved when I read this so I thought I'd share.

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
by Wendell Berry, 1973

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

A Retrospective Letter to Myself Regarding the War in Iraq

Seven years ago, in May of 2003, I was a freshman at Clemson University. Only one year removed from my staunchly conservative upbringing and still just as enamored with politics as I am now, I was intrigued by the political conversation surrounding President Bush's decision to invade Iraq. I had several new friends, who have since become some of my very best friends, who were against the war. One friend of mine in particular was greatly opposed to it, and I remember getting in a long, ugly argument with him one night. Later I decided to write a short essay on my belief that the war in Iraq was justified, and post it on my university webpage.

In the years since my political beliefs have shifted for many reasons. This shift causes me to look back on that essay with some regret, as I'm sure most of us feel when we consider beliefs we used to hold. I think sometimes about what I would say if I had the chance to write myself a letter from the future. Naturally if I did have this chance the Iraq War would not be anywhere near the top of my list of topics; I think "buy Google shares" would probably be number one. Regardless I thought it would be an interesting exercise to write myself a brief letter in this vein, maybe in a small way to pay my penance for proclaiming ideas that in hindsight I find less than conscionable.

So here goes. Here is a link to my 2003 essay if you would like to read it first, although I beg you to show me grace if and when you do.

Justin,

I read your statements regarding the Iraq invasion again this afternoon. Although there is much I now disagree with, the thing that caused me the most pain was to read your words about the "liberal" universities, "irrational" professors and students, and "liberals" who disagree with the war and do not "support our troops." I know your intention was probably to separate the left from the far-left when speaking of those who oppose the invasion, but even if that is true it was done poorly. The people who opposed the Iraq invasion did it because of their concerns about the loss of life, the incredible expense, and the enormous amount of suffering which result from any armed conflict. These are legitimate concerns, more than you know. Be gracious. Be respectful. Be peaceful. Please.

I know you feel that we are not preemptively striking Iraq because Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, did not keep his promises after the resulting Gulf War, and violated seventeen U.N. resolutions. I know you feel that Resolution 1441 and the bipartisan authorization by Congress in October of 2002 justified America's use of force towards Iraq. What I wish you would more heavily consider is the reluctance of the U.N. itself to authorize and join in this effort, in stark contrast to the bilateral Gulf War effort, to which many, many countries contributed soldiers. While America and Britain thought Saddam's reluctance to comply with the resolutions was ground for invasion, most of the world did not.

I know you also feel that there is moral justification for the war due to the numerous human rights violations Saddam committed against his people. While I completely agree with you about the despicable nature of these acts, I wish you would consider that many, many other countries have violated human rights in even more deplorable ways, and how the immense amount of resources we commit to this conflict will mean less for them. Here is a graphic showing how development aid flows around the world. If you could see it, I hope it would encourage you to consider how much Sudan has received in proportion to Iraq, and whether this is due to need or to our own military actions. When it comes to human rights, is Iraq the greatest need? Is military conflict, peace through strength, the right answer to changing these conditions in this case? Are you absolutely sure?

I know you think the idea that oil could be a motivating factor in this war is preposterous, but I also know you are ignorant of Cheney's Energy Task Force. Please read more from informed, thoughtful, concerned, charitable people who disagree with you. In addition, I plead with you to consider the enormity of the task being undertaken. The United States and Britain propose to destroy another country's entire government and rebuild it. Let that sink in. Even if you think the evil acts of the government in question trump the nationalist and paternalist nature of this act, do you really think we have the ability to do such a thing? Think of how costly it will be. How long it might take. Do we know enough about the culture we plan to uproot? Are you sure we can succeed?

Nevertheless, I know these arguments can do very little to persuade you in light of the primary motivation in your mind and the minds of many regarding this invasion—nuclear, chemical, and/or biological weapons in the hands of a madman in a post-9/11 world. There are many people who are much smarter, more educated, and more informed than you who believe that Saddam has weapons of mass destruction, and it will not come to light for several years that they are horribly mistaken. You are also being led to believe that there is a substantial link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, which will also be proven false. Whether these claims are simply mistakes or something more sinister, such as justifications for a war that the Bush Administration may have desired even before taking office, we may never know. But without being able to send you this information, all I can do is plead with you to consider waiting for the decision of the Security Council. Consider the many other countries (Iran and North Korea being notable) that may have nuclear weapons with plans to use them on their enemies, and the impossibility (to say nothing of the arguable paternalism) for us to invade, conquer, and reconstruct them all. But again, I doubt this will do much good. I cannot take away from you the fear of being attacked, made so visceral by that awful Tuesday in September.

I'm left to close this letter with a feeling of defeat. I know you have to learn these lessons by yourself as the events of the coming years unfold and we find that no giant weapons exist, that the Defense Department has vastly underestimated the strength of the Iraqi insurgency, that the citizens of Iraq will not consider us liberators for long, that we have a pitifully small understanding of Iraqi culture, that heinous prison abuse and our lack of diplomacy will hurt our global reputation and hinder our future efforts to do good (not to mention sickening our national spirit), that the unexpected length of this war will bring pollution and radiation which will poison the countryside and cause babies to be born deformed for years to come, that 100,000 Iraqi citizens will die and the country will be brought to the brink of civil war, that we will commit many more troops and spend many more years and much more money than we originally projected. When it all finally goes down, and Iraq has its first month without American casualties in seven years, you may feel regret to have publicly stood behind such a thing.

You will not be the only one. It was impossible for you to know these things would happen. Admit your mistakes, learn from them, and face the future with a newfound knowledge of the dangers of rushing into conflict shooting and yelling, "He's got a gun!"—only to turn over the body, find a cigarette lighter and say, "Well, it was dark..." I know you have thought quite a lot about what you believe. I know you studied and you considered. I know the people who lead you did as well, and nobody from you all the way to President Bush took their decisions lightly or without consideration. This was a difficult situation in one of the most difficult times our nation has ever faced. I pray that we will all learn from the consequences of our decisions, and greet this next decade with wisdom and hope.

Peace,

Justin

Image: nukeit1

Quotes: Cigarettes, Voters, and Finding the Lord, Dig It?

"A cigarette is the only consumer product which when used as directed kills its consumer." Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General, WHO (1998-2003)

"Nothing can so alienate a voter from the political system as backing a winning candidate." Mark B. Cohen

"Find God: we've got to find the Lord. Allow him to influence us. I mean what other weapons have we to fight the forces of hatred and evil. And check out the Ten Commandments too. You can't go too far wrong if you live them, dig it. Just a sincere and personal contact with God will keep you more together. Love the Lord, be thankful, feel peace." Marvin Gaye, What's Going On

Mercy, Mercy Me (the Economy)

© 2009 The Journal News, printed with permission from Matt Davies

The Bottom Five (well, six)

A while back I posted a list of blogs which I had removed from my list of friends in the sidebar because they hadn't been updated in six months. This actually inspired some of these bloggers to write, so six months later I'm at it again. The following blogs have been removed. If you're one of these bloggers, just post again and I'll add you back!

Glimpse (again...)
hey, why not?
Popsicle Sticks & Glue
Searching for Authenticity
Tattoos and Underoos
The Historical Happenings of Rachael

The Daily Show: Even Better than the Real Thing

One of Jon Stewart's favorite arguments is to attack idealization of the past, the idea that earlier decades were "simpler, happier times." To do this he will often make comments like, "Ah yes, the 1950's: when there was less sex and violence on television and black people drank at different water fountains." Never has this point been made so well as in the following clip which aired on last night's show.

By the way, listen for Sean Hannity saying that "Obama is literally ripping apart the fabric of the America that we grew up with." Literally. He must have seen Obama at the Smithsonian yesterday going to town on the Star Spangled Banner...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Even Better Than the Real Thing
www.thedailyshow.com

Top TED Talks

Two years ago my pal the adventurous Mac Mitchell introduced me to TED.com, and since then I've watched or listened to literally hundreds of TED talks. TED is a conference held every year where the world's greatest thinkers are invited to give twenty minute lectures on what they are passionate about. These lectures are available for free on the organization's website and as a podcast on iTunes.

I rate the talks as I go along, so I thought I'd post links to all the talks I have given five stars. I know long lists of links can be daunting, so I separated out the ones that had a profound impact on my way of thinking. I tried to make a top 5 but I just couldn't do it. I recommend skimming the lists and just picking a few of the titles which pique your interest. There's really no way you can go wrong, they're all fantastic in my opinion.

Mind-Blowing TED Talks
Aubrey de Grey: Why we age and how we can avoid it
Barry Schwartz on the paradox of choice
Barry Schwartz on our loss of wisdom
Ben Dunlap talks about a passionate life
Emily Oster: What do we really know about the spread of AIDS?
Hans Rosling presents the best stats you've ever seen
James Howard Kunstler: The tragedy of suburbia
Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?
Malcolm Gladwell on what we can learn from spaghetti sauce

Paul Collier: Four ways to help the bottom billion

Peter Donnelly shows how stats fool juries

Rebecca Saxe: How we read each other's minds

Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad man

Seth Godin on standing out

Steven Levitt analyzes crack economics
Steven Pinker on the myth of violence

Stewart Brand proclaims 4 environmental 'heresies'
Thomas Barnett draws a new map for peace

Other Five-Star TED Talks
Alan Russell on regenerating our bodies
Arthur Benjamin: Lightning calculation and other "Mathemagic"
Benjamin Zander on music and passion
Blaise Aguera y Arcas: Jaw-dropping Photosynth demo
Bjorn Lomborg sets global priorities
Clay Shirky on institutions vs. collaboration
Dan Ariely asks: Are we in control of our own decisions?
Dan Ariely on our buggy moral code
Dan Gilbert asks, Why are we happy?
Dave Eggers' wish: Once Upon a School
David Gallo: Underwater astonishments
Dean Ornish says your genes are not your fate
Deborah Gordon digs ants
Evgeny Morozov: How the Net aids dictatorships
Isabel Allende tells tales of passion
Jacqueline Novogratz on patient capitalism
James Nachtwey's searing photos of war
Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic
Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight
John Doerr sees salvation and profit in greentech
John Hodgman's brief digression on lost time
Kamal Meattle on how to grow fresh air
Mae Jemison on teaching arts and sciences together
Nancy Etcoff on the surprising science of happiness
Neil Turok makes his TED Prize wish: An African Einstein
Noah Feldman says politics and religion are technologies
Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense
PW Singer on military robots and the future of war
Shai Agassi's bold plan for electric cars
Steven Pinker chalks it up to the blank slate
Tom Honey on God and the tsunami
VS Ramachandran on your mind
Wade Davis on endangered cultures

Josh Ritter - "Right Moves"

No album I purchased in 2009 had a greater effect on me than The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. My buddy Michael Costa turned me on to Josh Ritter a few years back with "Girl in the War" and once I bought The Animal Years I got hooked on songs like "Wolves" and "Lillian, Egypt." But no Ritter tune has combined just about everything I love about music into one song more than "Right Moves" from Historical Conquests. The bassline, the rythm groove, the melody, the lilting piano -- it's all pitch-perfect. Not only that, the lyrics are wonderful. When was the last time you heard a line like "The crickets all leapt up and met the moon with a standing ovation?" Too long, for me.

Erin and I had the chance to catch Josh in DC last month and I swear I've never seen a performer smile more than he did. The sheer joy he was taking in his performance fell off him, spilled over the stage, and filled all of us.

Josh Ritter - "Right Moves"



All of a sudden now you're back again
I thought you were happy with whoever
or did you dream about me now and then
Did you look up at the stars and feel something for the constellations?
All those lovers circling round their loves
Slings and arrows, dogs and lions, rivers separating touch from touch
The comedy of distance, the tragedy of separation

Am I making all the right moves
Am I singing you the right blues
Is there a chance that I could call you
Just to see how you are doing?

I said how is it that you come back to me?
You don't need the stories of my scars or in the stars to tell you nothing's free
I traded all the innocence I ever had for hesitation
I said won't you tell me where you been?
You put a finger to my lips and then you kissed me once and once again
The crickets all leapt up and met the moon with a standing ovation

(chorus)

I heard the night birds picking up the song
You threw your hair back and sang along
And I realized that I might lose you you might lose me
Drift apart in the night and never know why and not know how
I said what if we are like the Northern sky?
What if there are things that come between us
that we can't take back and we can't make right?
You said I don't know darlin' but I'm here with you
and we're coming to the chorus now!

(chorus)


Image: darkmavis

Top 5 Things Which Have Recently Blown My Mind

1. Alcohol kills 6 times more teenagers than all illegal drugs combined.

2. Rhode Island has a larger population than Montana, Alaska, the Dakotas, and Wyoming. I had no idea.

3. All those stories about people giving poisoned candy and apples with razor blades in them to children on Halloween? Bogus. More childhood fear the internet could have saved me.

4. Ever wonder why very few cities have streetcars these days? Well among other reasons, it turns out a bunch of American car companies (including GM) bought them all up, destroyed them, and replaced them with buses. It was called the Great American Streetcar Scandal.

5. After WWII, Japan's constitution was written by a couple of U.S. military lawyers.