Talibaptist to Oprah: "If You Open Your Mind, Your Brains Will Fall Out"

Don't bother watching the whole thing, unless ecclesiastical buffoonery is your thang. I found this after seeing a video in response to my Oprah's magical thinking post. That's the one Norm (that clever, clever man) published on One Good Move. Apparently, the Talibaptists and their ilk think Oprah may be fooling around with the Antichrist.

American Public Education v. Creativity

It has always amazed me that after second grade, school is the most tedious place on earth for a lot of our kids. Have you cracked a textbook lately? It's an Ambien martini without a buzz. The world is an exciting place, the enormity of the human condition and its variations are riveting. Yet, until every last fun bit is strangled out of it, American children aren't likely to learn about it.

In fairness, there are wonderful teachers who manage to transcend--but they've taken a vow of poverty to excite our children about the world. Good on all y'all. I know quite a few whose passion matches their task. I know many more who discourage and poison our children with their didactic dullness.

Creativity is the closest we get to transcendence in this life, it's our best thing and needs to be valued. Everything is at stake, we need everybody's talents nurtured. When I saw this TED Talk for the first time, I hooted and now I hope.

Spitting for Jesus

Ricky Gervais Explains Creation

Remember the good old days when we were all spoiled brats?

Who's Whining Now P. GrimmyGramm?

Missouri River Valley

The Dance of the Periodic Tables

What do you remember about the periodic tables? No this much, but this is fun.

Studs Terkel: The Great Depression Interviews

Studs Terkel interviews. Excellent, depressing, and perhaps good to know given our current crisis. I saw a recipe for acorn flour this morning, and I'm thinking about raising chickens, nu?

Sunday Picture Show