The complex psychology of climate denial
If the evidence is overwhelming that man-made climate change is already upon us and set to wreak planetary havoc, why do so many people refuse to believe it?
If the evidence is overwhelming that man-made climate change is already upon us and set to wreak planetary havoc, why do so many people refuse to believe it?
Loneliness can be contagious
It only takes one individual in a group to begin to feel lonely for the feeling to spread to others, says a new study.
It only takes one individual in a group to begin to feel lonely for the feeling to spread to others, says a new study.
Music and Speech Based on Human Biology, New Evidence Shows
Science Daily, Dec. 3, 2009
Evidence of a deep biological link between human music and speech has been found by Duke University
They found that the musical scales most commonly used over the centuries are those that come closest to mimicking the physics of the human voice, and that we understand emotions expressed through music because the music mimics the way emotions are expressed in speech.
The showed that the harmonic structure of vowel tones forms the basis of the musical scales we find most appealing, and the popularity of musical scales can be predicted based on how well they match up with the series of harmonics characteristic of vowels in speech. Read Original Article>>
They found that the musical scales most commonly used over the centuries are those that come closest to mimicking the physics of the human voice, and that we understand emotions expressed through music because the music mimics the way emotions are expressed in speech.
The showed that the harmonic structure of vowel tones forms the basis of the musical scales we find most appealing, and the popularity of musical scales can be predicted based on how well they match up with the series of harmonics characteristic of vowels in speech. Read Original Article>>
The ACLU is suing San Diego, alleging city employees confiscated and destroyed possessions of homeless people as part of a campaign to harass them. The possessions allegedly included medications, family photos and blankets. A city spokeswoman had no immediate comment. CityBeat says Fresno has to pay $2.25 million in a similar case.
How our brains build social worlds
New Scientist Opinions, Dec. 2, 2009
The Interacting Minds project at the Danish Neuroscience Centre in Aarhus aims to develop a new kind of psychological experiment focused on interactions.
The Internet has dramatically increased both the possibilities for interactions and the size of the interacting groups. But there are also greater possibilities for false models, in the shape of deception, propaganda, or genuinely held but dangerously wrong-headed ideas. Read Original Article>>
The Internet has dramatically increased both the possibilities for interactions and the size of the interacting groups. But there are also greater possibilities for false models, in the shape of deception, propaganda, or genuinely held but dangerously wrong-headed ideas. Read Original Article>>
Key backers of same-sex marriage say revisiting Prop 8 in 2010 doomed to failure
Two prominent groups backing same-sex marriage – the California-based Courage Campaign and Lambda Legal, a national legal organization for homosexuals headquartered in New York
The first rigorous study of behavior treatment in autistic children as young as 18 months found two years of therapy can vastly improve symptoms, often resulting in a milder diagnosis.
Cremation rather than ground burial has rapidly increased in frequency over the past decade. Currently more than one third of deaths nationwide lead to cremation with a projection of more than half by 2025. A September survey of evangelical leaders showed that a majority are bucking the trend. (read more)
Eager to woo tourists who bypass the country in their Asian tours, South Korea is promoting food as a key element in its latest national rebranding campaign.
Niels Sorrells
December 3, 2009
December 3, 2009
New York State Senate Votes Down Gay Marriage Bill
By JEREMY W. PETERS
After an emotional debate, the bill was defeated by a decisive margin of 38 to 24, leaving it effectively dead for the year.
By JEREMY W. PETERS
After an emotional debate, the bill was defeated by a decisive margin of 38 to 24, leaving it effectively dead for the year.
A Cloud Still Hangs Over Bhopal
By SUKETU MEHTA
A gas disaster that happened 25 years ago has not been cleaned up because Dow Chemical has not acknowledged responsibility.
By SUKETU MEHTA
A gas disaster that happened 25 years ago has not been cleaned up because Dow Chemical has not acknowledged responsibility.
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