Writing on the Brain Another excelent commentary via A&LD. Loved the first paragraph. Interesting how A&LD likes to paraphrase articles in a way that doesn't seem to relate in any way to the content of the sources.

What the World Needs Now Is DDT Malaria is still one of the worst enemies afflicting the African continent, yet it still being underrated and ignored. DDT is highly toxic chemical agent that still could be used in beneficial ways (as mentioned in the above New York Times article) yet it's overuse in the 60's and the publication of Silent Spring made it unpopular and killed it politically. more inside

I love my Tatas! Well, not really mine but... But I love your tatas... no, not yours, forks... neither yours, quidn... stay back!

It takes a Facist to understand politics. Alan Wolfe explains the current infatuation of some leftists with Carl Schmitt and how his views on politics influence both the left and right (especially the right). [via A&LD] more inside

Curious George: Languages... So, continuing with the tradition of knowing each other around here I would like to know how many languages do Mofites master. That way I would feel more confident in trowing around some phrases in other languages just to increase the apparent intellectual level of discussions. C'mon, show your multi-lingual pomposity! more inside

Roll over Beethoven Old but amusing article from Guardian Unlimited about the level of knowledge of your average young adult on classical music.

Will this be the future for the US invasion of Irak? more inside

A Reason debate on how to think about liberty. Made with contributions by Richard A. Epstein, Randy Barnett, David Friedman, and James P. Pinkerton. [via A&L Daily]

For them, 'gays in the military' is a necessity: The Semen Warriors Of New Guinea. Inspired by a recent comment by flashboy. Oh, and here is the corresponding MeFi thread.

The Kamagasaki Gallery. Shamelessly stolen from MeFi, an excellent compilation of photos by Shannon Higgins from the biggest slum in Japan which includes descriptions for every one of them. Also in this issue, comfort women for the japanese imperial army during WWII (thanks to humbe).

Kofi Annan Unsettles People, As He Believes U.N. Should Do. An interesting old article. Anyway, here's a short biography, and an Online News Focus from the PBS.

Curious George: Meta...what? Maybe this is not the place to ask but, what happened with MeFi? I cannot reach it by any means and I have been trying for the past few days, and the Google cache is 3 days old already. It is me or the site is down?

Can philosophers help handle terror? A book review of Philosophy in a Time of Terror, by Giovanna Borradori. Via Arts and Letters Daily.

On the Origins of singing in the bath: ...when those who enjoy a hot bath inhale the air of the bath, so that the heat of the air enters their spirits and makes them hot, they are found to experience joy. It often happens that they start singing, as singing has its origin in gladness. More quotes (taxation, posting, gravitation, relationships, goodness) by Ibn Khald more inside

TRICLOPS! Neuroscience can't get more fun than surgically implanting a third eye in the forehead of little salamanders, then try to test if they become smarter than boring, two-eyed, regular ones. Let Professor Paul Pietsch take you into the world of split human brains, microminds, shrinked brains, frogs with salamander brains, brains with no head, and heads with no brain. ShuffleBrain!

"El Ni Shamelessly stolen from Mefi, these are works of genius. I wish I could come up with this kind of writing myself.

David Hasselhoff, love him (Geocities and NSF-Anybody) or hate him.

Josef Koudelka, Czech photographer. Take a look to his work, then take a look at his life. more inside

Wanna be an astronaut? At least you can do it on an excellent computer simulation game. psst... It's freeware! more inside

Girl with a Pearl Earring, an in-depth study. Few masterpieces deserve to be made into a book, then a movie. Whatever you may think of them is another matter entirely.