Monk(ey) Minds on Metta. A recent study (PDF) examined changes in the brains of meditating scanning their brains while they practiced compassion (metta) meditation. The project was a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin and the Shechen Monastery in Nepal. more inside

Distance running shaped human evolution. "Our African ancestors may have been talented endurance athletes." But now that we have MonkeyFilter, we can spend the day sitting.

Dung. WTF?! [Flash, possibly NSFW, via Screenhead.]

The Iconographic Genesis of Shiva - The Sensuous Yogi.

More. Great claymation by Mark Osborne, it was nominated for an academy award in 1998. [16 MB Quicktime, via Waxy.]

Perverse pleasure is the best revenge. Get it while you can. more inside

A Report on Mesopotamia, written by T.E. Lawrence (a.k.a Lawrence of Arabia) in Fallujah in 1920.

Vaccine cripples sperm in monkeys. Male contraception options set to broaden.

The Dubya Movie. One man was chosen, and only one man could play him. [Via Screenhead.]

Getting Beyond Good vs. Evil: A Buddhist Reflection on the New Holy War. [Via MeFi.]

International Orangutan Awareness Week.

After You (Quicktime.) [Via Dong Resin's Screenhead.]

A Very Scary Solstice. Today while watching one horror, I saw another: the first Christmas commercial of the season (on November 2!) That means it's time for Cthulhu carols! Our candidate may not have done well in the campaign, but his plan for world domination is proceeding nicely, so let us sing his praises and hope to be eaten first.

Saving Sam. "As the swatches of silver in his coarse black fur confirm, Sam the chimpanzee's youth is far behind him. At 56, he is the Sacramento Zoo's senior resident and is among the oldest chimpanzees in captivity in the country. Time has taken its toll."

US stem cells tainted by mouse material. "The stem cell lines available for federally-funded research in the US have characteristics which mean they may never be used for medical treatments in humans, a new study suggests."

Researchers provide concrete evidence about how the human eye evolved. [Via /.]

Revolutionary Minds. "A selection of icons and iconoclasts whose radical ideas are inspiring a vivid dialogue that is deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Meet the 2004 Third Culture." [Via WorldChanging.]

Advent of the Robotic Monkeys. "Researchers have trained a monkey to feed itself by guiding a robotic arm with its mind. It could be a big step forward for prosthetics."

Biologists come close to cloning primates. We will create a grand army of the Monkey Republic to counter the increasing threat from the Humans.

How a Swedish engineer saved a once-in-a-lifetime mission to Saturn's mysterious moon. [Via /.]