For the first time, a large Pacific barreleye fish has been caught on film by scientists using remotely operated vehicles at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. This species has very unique eyes that are protected within the skull by a sort of green filter. They observe their environment through a skull that is totally transparent (to the top). The translucent cranial cavity is filled with a transparent gel in which the eyes are mobile.They can look forward or upward

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(Source: youtube.com)

kateoplis:

A court has ruled that the Pavlovsk research station and its surrounding farmland be turned into private housing. The world’s oldest seed bank holds the world’s largest fruit collection. More than 90% of the plants are found in no other research collection or seed bank. Its seeds and berries are thought to posess traits that could be crucial to maintaining productive fruit harvests in many parts of the world as climate change and a rising tide of disease, pests and drought weaken the varieties farmers now grow. At stake are more than 5,000 varieties of seeds and berries from dozens of countries, including more than 100 varieties each of gooseberries and raspberries.

The station was protected by 12 Russian scientists during the second world war who chose to starve to death rather than eat the unique collection of seeds and plants which they were guarding during the 900-day siege of Leningrad.

As it is predominantly a field collection, Pavlovsk cannot be moved. Experts estimate that even if another site were available nearby, it would take many years to relocate the plants. — Guardian

My Experience with Autism (via)

Tune in for this unusual presentation on autism by someone with autism. Animal Science professor Temple Grandin, who designs livestock handling facilities, discusses the value of early intervention in autism, and about medications. Other topics include her sensory sensitivities and how she manages them, how she and other autistic people think, and social relationships and careers.

Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds (via)

Autism activist Temple Grandin talks about how her mind works — sharing her ability to “think in pictures,” which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids.

Baloney Detection Kit - Michael Shermer (via)

With a sea of information coming at us from all directions, how do we sift out the misinformation and bogus claims, and get to the truth? Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine lays out a “Baloney Detection Kit,” ten questions we should ask when encountering a claim.

The 10 Questions:
1. How reliable is the source of the claim?
2.Does the source make similar claims?
3. Have the claims been verified by somebody else?
4. Does this fit with the way the world works?
5. Has anyone tried to disprove the claim?
6. Where does the preponderance of evidence point?
7. Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?
8. Is the claimant providing positive evidence?
9. Does the new theory account for as many phenomena as the old theory?
10. Are personal beliefs driving the claim?

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In “The Crash Course”, Chris Martenson presents an in-depth consideration of the Economy, Energy, and the Environment. Not only does he explain the fundamental causes of the current economic crisis, but he also demonstrates how the problems facing the economy are related to concurrent issues regarding our sources of energy and climate change. The information provided is eye-opening and vital to understanding the world in which we live and how that world will change in the near future.

full playlist: here

(via Google Video)

EarthlingsEARTHLINGS - is by far the most violent documentary I have ever seen.A feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research), it illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called “non-human providers.” The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby .

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Arundhati Roy - Come Septmeber

Suzanna Arundhati Roy is an Indian writer who writes in English and an activist who focuses on issues related to social justice and economic inequality. She won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel, The God of Small Things, and the Cultural Freedom Prize in 2002 for her work as an activist.

In this acclaimed Lannan foundation lecture from September 2002, Roy speaks poetically to power on the US’ War on Terror, globalization, the misuses of nationalism, and the growing chasm between the rich and poor. With lyricism and passion, Roy combines her literary talents and encyclopedic knowledge to expose injustice and provide hope for a future world.

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Douglas Noël Adams best known as the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy speaks at Digital Biota 2 Cambridge U.K.,  in September 1998, about the idea of God and where does it come from.

(via Google Video)

Dr. Albert A. Bartlett, professor emeritus of Physics at University of Colorado-Boulder is presenting the arithmetics of the exponential growth and why it is a problem when it comes to population and energy. He received The Population Institute’s Global Media Award in December 18, 2008.

This is a one hour talk that has been circulating around youtube in 8 parts with the title “The most important video you’ll ever see” and I have to agree.

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Addicted to nonsense

A small essay by Chris Hedges

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An interview by Mike Wallace of Aldous Huxley, social critic and author of Brave New World, Island, Point Counter Point, The Doors of Perception, talks to Wallace about threats to freedom, overpopulation, bureaucracy, propaganda, drugs, advertising, and television.

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Another Lecture by Howard Zinn, this time at MIT about the myth of American exceptionalism, a attitude of superiority witch associated with the assumption of God’s approval of government’s actions becomes very dangerous, as seen from the examples that history provides us.

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Historian Howard Zinn speaks at Progressive’s 100th anniversary conference about American wars.

“There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people for a purpose which is unattainable.” — Howard Zinn

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Again a talk by Sam Harris about the dangers of religious moderation and how much damage the religious tabu does. Just the audio but longer.