It’s the celebration of ignorance that Republicans continue to promote that keeps that 40% pliable and under control. Believe me, it would be much more than 40% if they had their druthers.

I believe that most people at the top of the GOP think they were put here by God to govern, that’s it’s their divine right. Therefore, the rest of us plebes should just stand down and do as we’re told and let these Titans make our decisions for us.

Read The Family and C Street by Jeff Sharlet some time.

Spot on Mr.B — There is a YouTube channel called “CallumCGLP” which features some SPECTACULAR Sagan vids.

And this, well this is maybe the best video ever…

The judges have awarded you full geek points. Congratulations.

–alopecia

“Space,” it says, “is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mindbogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space, listen…”

Sadly, I think we are witnessing the negative side effect of ever advancing technology. As we create more advanced systems that don’t require us to use critical thinking skills, apathy sets in and you start to see what is happing in America today. America is the perfect example, because we have enjoyed and maximized the use of many new technologies. A person’s survival requires less and less mental effort these days.

I like to imagine there have been 10 to 15 million people on this earth over time who have invented the world that billions enjoy today. Louie CK has a great bit on lions taking out the people who have stopped using their brains. You can make up and live in any world you want when there are no consequences for not living in the real world.

“Did time exist– before space?” Blows my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M“>Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan is humbling.

The battle today between theists and atheists shouldn’t be a battle of beliefs. It should be more of a discussion of the human condition and what each of us can do to improve our lives and the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.

The Jewish Sabbath is a good example of environmental consciousness. It didn’t come about in Ancient Israel so people could be lazy. It came about as a form of environmental stewardship. We need to give the Earth a rest once in a while so we use less of its resources and leave some for others and our children.

That moment was when I started learning everything I could about rationalization, motivated reasoning, and cognitive dissonance. The weird part: both atheism and religion come from adaption to the same wonder-inducing universe.