i am sorry, but it’s probably the greatest franchise ever. two great articles about star trek and torture on slate, and the geek chic that is spock (way of ninly.net). THERE ARE TWO LINKS! i still have not seen the movie.

I am always surprised at the reaction when i tell people that humans are hard wired for altruism, and that people feel better giving than receiving. Even if the neurological case may not be convincing for some, few would doubt how difficult this existence on earth is.  If it is this hard for modern humans to survive this tech aided world, imagine  how are it  was for small tribes of proto-humans. A neanderthal was not an island, and the culture of giving and socialization is a key aspect to our evolution. We are social altruistic beings. I spent only a few months working at home, and i felt wrong for months after. Don’t get me started on working in a lab.

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The current faux-debate over the Bush Admin torture memos is an exercise in orwellian doublethink. I have understood 1984′s propaganda method to always display an ironic and absurd bent to it, as this quote from the novel shows: (continue reading…)

As more information comes out from the examination of the recently released Bush Administration Torture memos, we see how science unknowingly participated in the case to destroy American credibility. (continue reading…)