Action Figure Daniel

Category: Notes

  • E.O. Wilson: Advice to young scientists

    A call for young scientists to hold true to their course as the world will need them as guides to the future. It is interesting to note that Wilson downplays the importance of math. He comments that while it is the language of science, one only needs a rudimentary understanding of the language to use it. Instead, it is critical to be able to dream in order to push science forward.

  • “Heroes, Rogues, and Lovers: Testosterone and Behavior” by James McBride Dabbs with Mary Godwin Dabbs

    The Dabbs couple explore the profound and vast effects of testosterone on men and women from the youngest of ages (in utero) through mid-life. After childhood, they explore the three basic effects that are outlined in the title: creating heroes, rebel rousing and making lovers. While the presented research focuses on men, the Dabbs are frequently cite studies of women to establish a baseline of the norm before showing  how testosterone changed the default behavior. This book has greatly expanded my understanding of, and provided fascinating insight to, why both men and women behave the way they do.
    Interesting tidbit: Alfalfa and clover are estrogen rich and thus birth controlling plants. It is thought that the plants maintained this chemical feature to limit offspring of hungry animals and thus prevent overgrazing. Today, some million sheep go sterile each year in Australia alone from eating too much wild clover and alfalfa.

  • Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology

    Mistry built a simple device of a projector, camera and small computer that basically allows the computer to break outside the normal confines of screen, keyboard and mouse. This is the stuff of movies.

  • Philip Zimbardo: The Secret Powers of Time

    An interesting lecture that delves into the depths of how we as human associate with time. There are six basic temporal orientations: two on the past (past positive and past negative), two on the present (hedonistic–avoiding pain, seeking pleasure, acquiring knowledge–and riders–believing that their life is fated and there is nothing they can do about it) and two on the future (those who have learned that it is better to work than to play and those who believe in a life after death).

    Interestingly, the closer to the equator one lives, the more present oriented one is (this makes perfect sense, if you think about it: the more extreme your climate shifts through the seasons each year, the more you will have to plan ahead to survive during the winter). Additionally, religion (or, I suppose, belief in a given religion) can have a strong impact

    Philip Zimbardo – The Secret Powers of Time (RSA)
    RSA Animate – The Secret Powers of Time

  • Simon Baron Cohen: Zero Degrees of Empathy


    Cohen discusses some of the causes of a lack of empathy, its hindrance as well as benefits.