Ron Paul was right, and the Fed audit proves it
editorial posted by in braincrave
The printing press: what a great invention... It fostered a rapid development in and dissemination of art and science through the production of books. But one wonders if Johannes Gutenberg would be a...
Image of Synthesizing happiness
Synthesizing happiness
editorial posted by in braincrave
Through Hamlet, Shakespeare said "there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." You'd never believe it if someone told you the secret to happiness in life is to accrue wealth, power...
Image of TIL about the Ig Noble prize
TIL about the Ig Noble prize
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned about the Ig Noble prizes, which "honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative -...
Image of The true story of Thanksgiving
The true story of Thanksgiving
editorial posted by in braincrave
As those of you in the US enjoy the holiday, thought you might want to learn about the true story of thanksgiving - this might make some interesting conversation around the dinner table... it's calle...
Image of America's lights are going out
America's lights are going out
editorial posted by in braincrave
Atlas Shrugged was not intended to be an instruction manual. Ayn Rand talked through Francisco d'Anconia about what it took to kill the motor of the world: "He stepped to the window and pointed to th...
Image of The deception of higher education
The deception of higher education
editorial posted by in braincrave
The typical four-year college degree has large costs, but it's questionable whether the benefits are usually there. In fact, students who secure college degrees are increasingly unlikely to make up t...
Image of War - a bankrupt ideology
War - a bankrupt ideology
editorial posted by in braincrave
The purported anti-war left used to scream about the wars when Bush ruled. When Obama became ruler, they went silent (for the most part). After all, it's only unjustified violence and murder when the...
Image of OMG! There's Discrimination in the Modeling Industry!
OMG! There's Discrimination in the Modeling Industry!
editorial posted by in braincrave
New research confirms scandal: not just anyone can be a supermodel. Such discrimination! Say the word discrimination and most immediately think of prejudice. In many countries, by law, employers cann...
Image of Not a happy father's day
Not a happy father's day
editorial posted by in braincrave
On this Father's Day, perhaps it's proper to be reminded of all of the good fathers who are not allowed to see their children just because they got divorced. This occurs all across the world. Putting...
Image of How to understand people - look at their actions
How to understand people - look at their actions
editorial posted by in braincrave
Praxeology is a general theory of human action or, more specifically, purposeful behavior. Unlike unconscious behavior such as breathing or reflexes, we act in conscious, chosen ways to achieve vario...
Image of Web threatens women and children
Web threatens women and children
editorial posted by in braincrave
Sure, blame it on women and children. FTA: "Every Google web search could be stored for up to two years under a controversial new EU plan that has the backing of more than 300 Euro-MEPs... The dec...
Image of Mock burglaries
Mock burglaries
editorial posted by in braincrave
Talk about creating an atmosphere of fear... FTA: "It was meant to be an imaginative way of hammering home the message that some householders are making life too easy for burglars. But police were un...
Image of 9/11 - Challenging the official theory
9/11 - Challenging the official theory
editorial posted by in braincrave
A thousand architects and engineers want to know how 3 World Trade Center skyscrapers suddenly disintegrate into fine dust. how did massive steel beams suddenly fail as a result of short-lived, isola...
Image of TIL ignorance begets confidence
TIL ignorance begets confidence
editorial posted by in braincrave
Ah, to be ignorant of your own ignorance... Today I learned that there is a psychological term for people who don't know stuff but are too incompetent to realize it and, therefore, suffer from an ill...
Image of Letting life take its course
Letting life take its course
editorial posted by in braincrave
Although cutting edge research gives me reason for hope, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most deadly cancer known and THE most horrible and personal disease to me. Two years ago, I lost my mother to...
Image of Be afraid - be very, very afraid
Be afraid - be very, very afraid
editorial posted by in braincrave
Meanwhile, as Bradley Manning (aka "unappreciated hero #1") languishes in jail and is tortured by Obama's administration... There's an adage that goes "give to a good man all the powers he requests t...
Image of Oath Keepers
Oath Keepers
editorial posted by in braincrave
"Meet the fast-growing "patriot" group that's recruiting soldiers to resist the Obama administration." "But beyond the predictable stereotypes, "the reality is a lot of them are fairly intelligent...
Image of Starving cancer with food
Starving cancer with food
editorial posted by in braincrave
Cancer. I hate this disease. My sister was diagnosed with it at about age 5. She, along with my mother, father, and I, spent the next 16 years in and out of hospitals getting treatments that, arguabl...
Image of DNA collection
DNA collection
editorial posted by in braincrave
Will wonders never cease? California now has mandatory DNA collection from anyone arrested for a felony, whether or not they are ever charged or convicted. Instead of being limited to serious, violen...
Image of England prevails
England prevails
editorial posted by in braincrave
Wait - you're upset because the government promised you something and then did the exact opposite? This is government's modus operandi - why all the fuss? Look, just vote for the other party next tim...
Image of TIL Federal Reserve Bank stockholders don't pay taxes
TIL Federal Reserve Bank stockholders don't pay taxes
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned that, unlike people or other corporations, Federal reserve bank stockholders don't have to pay federal, state,or local taxes on their annual, fixed dividends of 6% on capital stock (w...
Image of Licensed to kill
Licensed to kill
editorial posted by in braincrave
Bill Clinton was impeached for lying about getting a blow job. But here we have President Obama, a constitutional lawyer and professor, who is technically now a dictator without anyone calling for im...
Image of Is neurobiology making us morally ill?
Is neurobiology making us morally ill?
editorial posted by in braincrave
Getting people to agree on objective moral principles is difficult, to say the least. Moral codes seem to span the gamut of culture, time, environment, experience, geography, gender, race, etc. Could...
Image of Feminism - doomed to fail
Feminism - doomed to fail
editorial posted by in braincrave
Is feminism doomed to fail? Is there even one accepted definition of feminism? Are there any benefits of feminism? FTA: "Although it is not Susan Pinker's intention in writing it, reading her exce...
Image of Why soldiers get a kick out of killing
Why soldiers get a kick out of killing
editorial posted by in braincrave
FTA: "Do some soldiers enjoy killing? If so, why? ...The reluctance of ordinary men to kill can be overcome by intensified training, direct commands from officers, long-range weapons and propaganda t...
Image of Selling organs for education
Selling organs for education
editorial posted by in braincrave
Nowadays, you have to take on massive amounts of debt to go to college, only to graduate and find that there aren't any jobs available. So you leave college, go back to living with your parents, and...
Image of TIL Superman, Star Trek, and Archie creators promoted sex
TIL Superman, Star Trek, and Archie creators promoted sex
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned one of the creators of Superman drew S&M and bondage comics that were banned by the Supreme Court, the creator of Star Trek created a show about a gym teacher having sex with his...
Image of The meaning of life
The meaning of life
editorial posted by in braincrave
Probably the most important question for most philosophers is what's the meaning of life. Although individuals have their own values that provide meaning to each, we don't yet have a verifiable princ...
Image of Why is there something rather than nothing?
Why is there something rather than nothing?
editorial posted by in braincrave
People study science and natural science (i.e., philosophy) to understand the nature of reality. Presumably, the more accurately we understand reality, the happier we will be. (Similarly, when we ope...
Image of TIL: Birds and bees aren't only pollinators
TIL: Birds and bees aren't only pollinators
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned that my parents mislead me when they taught me about the "birds and the bees" - there are over 200,000 species of animals that act as pollinators, and even the wind acts as a pollinat...
Image of Oh No! Science Supports... The Anarchists!!
Oh No! Science Supports... The Anarchists!!
editorial posted by in braincrave
I'm talking about the real anarchists here, not bloody bomb-throwers or anti-capitalist window breakers. I'm referring to people who have faced the scary fact that all coercive power corrupts and tha...
Image of Selling politicians
Selling politicians
editorial posted by in braincrave
When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first thing to be bought and sold are legislators. - P.J. O'Rourke DISCUSS! Original posting by Braincrave Second Life staff on Mar 4,...
Image of Does the G-spot exist
Does the G-spot exist
editorial posted by in braincrave
Ladies, there's a new study out where scientists are saying that the G-spot may not exist G-spot 'may not exist', say scientists DISCUSS! Original posting by Braincrave Second Life staff on...
Image of Manipulating Americans is easy
Manipulating Americans is easy
editorial posted by in braincrave
You're an idiot. That's right. According to New York spin doctor Sheherazad Jaafari (aka press-aide or press attaché), Americans are easily manipulated. All politicians need to do is admit that th...
Image of Perfectionism - doing better than your best
Perfectionism - doing better than your best
editorial posted by in braincrave
In the movie The Rock, Sean Connery says to Nicholas Cage "Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen." There are those who think that perfection can be...
NY to ban salt at restaurants
editorial posted by in braincrave
The New York legislature is trying to pass a bill that would ban restaurants from using salt in food preparations. No, this is not an article from The Onion. No, I am not making this up. Chefs Cal...
Image of The definition of integrity
The definition of integrity
editorial posted by in braincrave
Can a person strive to be something that he doesn't understand? Take integrity: are you a person of integrity? If so, how do you know? Is integrity always associated with virtue, or is integrity amor...
Image of Let's raise the debt ceiling to $1 quadrillion
Let's raise the debt ceiling to $1 quadrillion
editorial posted by in braincrave
Remember the guy who talked about change? Where'd he go? In 2006, Obama said this: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a...
Image of Ménage à trois - is three a crowd?
Ménage à trois - is three a crowd?
editorial posted by in braincrave
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote "I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with the roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frost work, but the solidest thing we kno...
Image of Doomsday Ark on the moon
Doomsday Ark on the moon
editorial posted by in braincrave
If you're really concerned about future generations, shouldn't there be other, more important priorities that one would be focused on instead of building a "doomsday ark" on the moon? Is this really...
Second Life scripted item changes
editorial posted by in braincrave
It appears the Lindens are up to mischief again. All of our worn scripted items are going to be weighed and measured. This is not to cause panic, nothing anybody can do about it, just read up and be...
Image of Global warming - no pressure
Global warming - no pressure
editorial posted by in braincrave
During the Spanish Inquisition, the Catholic Church authorized massive torture and violence against so-called "heretics" (non-conformists/non-believers). Although this history has been mocked by the...
Image of The Road Not Taken
The Road Not Taken
editorial posted by in braincrave
The Road Not Taken (by Robert Frost) Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To w...
Image of Magnets manipulate morality
Magnets manipulate morality
editorial posted by in braincrave
FTA: "By stimulating a certain region of the brain, scientists can alter a person's ability to make moral judgments... The study results show that stimulating a specific brain region interfered with...
Image of Teaching sex and terrorism to children
Teaching sex and terrorism to children
editorial posted by in braincrave
In 1991, John Taylor Gatto, New York City Teacher of the Year (1989, 1990, and 1991), New York State Teacher of the Year (1991), and author of The Underground History of American Education, wrote the...
Image of Voluntary vs. coercive
Voluntary vs. coercive
editorial posted by in braincrave
"The "private sector" of the economy is, in fact, the voluntary sector; and...the "public sector" is, in fact, the coercive sector." - Henry Hazlitt DISCUSS! Original posting by Braincrave Seco...
Image of Do you want to live forever?
Do you want to live forever?
editorial posted by in braincrave
The mystical Fountain of Youth so long sought after... What if it were real, and the key to life could be discovered in an 18-year old girl that, for all intents and purposes, is a baby? What if, in...
Image of Thinking about thinking
Thinking about thinking
editorial posted by in braincrave
Thomas Jefferson warned that "Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong." A high I.Q. does not necessarily transla...
Image of Self-organized learning environments
Self-organized learning environments
editorial posted by in braincrave
Are we giving children too much structure when attempting to educate them? Would children improve their ability to think if we gave them a few tools and let them self-organize with minimal adult supe...
How to solve problems
editorial posted by in braincrave
"Always blame yourself. It's the only way your problems get solved." DISCUSS! Original posting by Braincrave Second Life staff on Mar 12, 2010 at http://www.braincrave.com/viewblog.php?id=136...
Image of Step-up and be a man
Step-up and be a man
editorial posted by in braincrave
Contrasted with being a "good guy," what does it mean to be a "real man?" Putting aside the obvious requirements of XY chromosomes "and a pair of testicles," what determines masculinity? Is there a w...
Image of TIL drinking eight glasses of water a day is bunk
TIL drinking eight glasses of water a day is bunk
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned that the accepted wisdom of drinking eight glasses of water a day, including the accompanying reminder that beverages containing caffeine and alcohol do not count, is not supported by...
Image of TIL that the government destroys food to increase prices
TIL that the government destroys food to increase prices
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned that the US government ordered a farmer to destroy his own crops in order to increase market prices. The case, Wickard v. Filburn, went to the US Supreme Court, and the court sided wi...
Image of Private security forces
Private security forces
editorial posted by in braincrave
Insurance companies have been getting a lot of negative press lately, especially when it comes to health care. It seems that, generally, people believe that insurance companies exist primarily for so...
Image of Elementary Dating
Elementary Dating
editorial posted by in braincrave
Ah, the first date. Men seem to go to a first date with a mattress strapped to their backs. But I don't move a relationship to a first date often, so this is a real treat for me. An opportunity for f...
Image of For God's sake
For God's sake
editorial posted by in braincrave
Possibly suggesting that religious beliefs were necessary for maintaining social order, Voltaire once wrote: "If God did not exist, he would have to be invented." Karl Marx agreed, calling it the "o...
Image of Third-life
Third-life
editorial posted by in braincrave
Do you think a virtual reality, or 'Matrix' is possible? Obviously the Matrix in the movie to replicate real world physics and a universe is far to complicated but something like a 'Third Life' kind...
Image of Government spending
Government spending
editorial posted by in braincrave
Government spending now accounts for 52% of UK's economy. FTA: "A public sector that swallows more than half of GDP is doing more than wrecking our economy: it is devouring our national character and...
Image of Work: the anti-poverty tool
Work: the anti-poverty tool
editorial posted by in braincrave
Which is better for a poor person - to be paid $3.00/hour for working or to be unemployed where the minimum wage law is $6.00/hour? Unions love minimum wage laws, and they spend millions lobbying for...
Image of Most people don't vote
Most people don't vote
editorial posted by in braincrave
For those of you who refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils, take comfort in knowing that you're in the majority. Politicians are always claiming their wins indicate that "the people have spoken....
$1 billion for 100 educators
editorial posted by in braincrave
I went to a high school in this district many years ago. FTA: "Make sure you notice 'Codell, Neil C.' who is 4th from the top of the list. Career pension of $26,661,604. That's almost $27 million...
Image of Eviscerating global warming
Eviscerating global warming
editorial posted by in braincrave
You don't say? Hey Al Gore, what do you think? FTA: "A cross examination of global warming science conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Law and Economics has concluded tha...
Image of Strong mind, strong soul, strong body
Strong mind, strong soul, strong body
editorial posted by in braincrave
John Lennon composed and sang "Imagine... no need for greed or hunger." Billions of people starve. Death and suffering from starvation are clearly global problems for which there aren't any clear sol...
Image of I'm Allowed to Rob You!
I'm Allowed to Rob You!
editorial posted by in braincrave
Want to see a piece of paper that gives me the RIGHT to rob you? You don't believe there is such a thing? Are you SURE you don't believe it? From the video: "If you believe this piece of pa...
Image of TIL the difference between etc. and et al.
TIL the difference between etc. and et al.
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned the difference between etc. and et al. etc. is used for things, while et al. is used for people. And they should not be interchanged. 2) etc. (and so on) Example: "None of...
Image of Initiating force against tasty animals
Initiating force against tasty animals
editorial posted by in braincrave
To sustain life, the human body requires nourishment. Such is the "catch-22" - how to sustain life without destroying life? Most (but not all) consider cannibalism as the ultimate cultural taboo, so...
Image of The involved father - pathological, pain-in-the-ass
The involved father - pathological, pain-in-the-ass
editorial posted by in braincrave
You have never seen a bigger pain in the ass than the father who wants to get involved; he can be repulsive. He wants to meet the kid at three o'clock, take the kid out to dinner during the week, hav...
Image of Rules for intelligent discussion
Rules for intelligent discussion
editorial posted by in braincrave
Our Second Life intellectual discussion group is about bringing people together who like to think. We have wonderful discussions in group chat but, in an effort to constantly improve our discussions...
Image of The unreasonable man
The unreasonable man
editorial posted by in braincrave
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw...
Image of Other people are not your property
Other people are not your property
editorial posted by in braincrave
Ron Paul has entered the US presidential race for the third time as a Republican. But he's not really a Republican - he's a Libertarian. Ron Paul, like all Libertarians, is always talking about limit...
Violent mother gets full custody
editorial posted by in braincrave
FTA: "A MOTHER found by the Family Court to be violent, untruthful, lacking moral values and responsible for the psychological and emotional abuse of her children has been given custody of them. The...
Image of A soldier's shame
A soldier's shame
editorial posted by in braincrave
US soldier holds flag protest sign: "There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people." Well put. Controversial? US Soldier Holds American Flag Protest Sign DISCUSS!...
Image of Socialism vs. Corporatism
Socialism vs. Corporatism
editorial posted by in braincrave
From the only honest person in American politics - Ron Paul... FTA: "Lately many have characterized this administration as socialist, or having strong socialist leanings. I differ with this character...
Thieves free - victim jailed
editorial posted by in braincrave
A week ago, we discussed a court ignoring the proven innocence of a convicted man because he missed a filing deadline. Here we have a case where a victim attempts to protect himself and his property....
Image of Kony 2012: Pro-AFRICOM Propaganda by the Regime Change Machine?
Kony 2012: Pro-AFRICOM Propaganda by the Regime Change Machine?
editorial posted by in braincrave
Thanks to the Land Destroyer blog for spotting this excellent analysis of what appears the next phase in false-flag interventionist propaganda -- the use of so-called "social media" with heavy celebr...
Good advice
editorial posted by in braincrave
What is the best advice you've ever received in life? DISCUSS! Original posting by Braincrave Second Life staff on Mar 11, 2010 at http://www.braincrave.com/viewblog.php?id=135
UK parking - dumb and dumber
editorial posted by in braincrave
London councils sue themselves for parking offences. Critics say the practise "illustrates everything that is wrong with unaccountable parking enforcement in the UK." London councils sue themselve...
Image of Truth as a Christmas present
Truth as a Christmas present
editorial posted by in braincrave
There's a funny t-shirt for babies that says "Santa doesn't exist but I can't read, so it's okay." Do you lie to children about Santa Claus (or leave it ambiguous)? What are the benefits and limitati...
Image of The makings of a good apology - act like a changed person
The makings of a good apology - act like a changed person
editorial posted by in braincrave
Paris Hilton did it to Lindsay Lohan. Tiger Woods did it. American Idol did it. Couples do it. Sometimes we even do it to ourselves. Politicians do it as well, but they do it badly (just like everyth...
Image of I like guns
I like guns
editorial posted by in braincrave
Steve Lee says he never set out to be an Internet hit. He just loves guns - and thought he would write a song about it. He says he is as shocked as anyone that his YouTube clip I Like Guns has been v...
Image of Civil disobedience against the TSA
Civil disobedience against the TSA
editorial posted by in braincrave
In case you haven't heard, the US Totally Stupid Administration (aka TSA) has deployed Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanners at many airports that produce radiation to scan your body for po...
Image of Does porn hurt relationships? Science says no
Does porn hurt relationships? Science says no
editorial posted by in braincrave
Porn is like bacon: some won't eat it for religious reasons, some consider it filthy, some feel guilty after eating it, but everyone else (which is most of the population) loves it. Funny enough, sci...
Image of Gaming theory - why it matters and a definition
Gaming theory - why it matters and a definition
editorial posted by in braincrave
As this is an article about the theory of games, I thought that, as I intend to do this systematically, I should start with a brief post defining what a game actually is. You might think that I could...
Image of Effects of automation on the future
Effects of automation on the future
editorial posted by in braincrave
People continue to be laid-off from their jobs. Automation is increasing. Things made by hand are decreasing. The costs to produce (copy) some items is very close to zero (e.g., music and books)....
Image of Scary - facts don't change our minds
Scary - facts don't change our minds
editorial posted by in braincrave
"Facts don't necessarily have the power to change our minds. In fact, quite the opposite." Before you read this article to determine where that conclusion came from, ponder that quote for a moment...
Image of The last line of defense when the law is wrong
The last line of defense when the law is wrong
editorial posted by in braincrave
There's a button that some wear on election day. It says "I voted." It's as if voting makes them feel powerful. But the vote they cast typically isn't for a specific law - it's usually for a polit...
Image of Better ideas - the Socratic method
Better ideas - the Socratic method
editorial posted by in braincrave
Socrates, the philosopher who claimed the contradiction "I know that I know nothing," provided us with a method to help us question what we think we know and to demonstrate otherwise: the Socratic me...
Turning children into Orwellian eco-spies
editorial posted by in braincrave
A few snippets from a brilliant article: FTA: 'There is a long and sordid tradition of trying to socialise children by scaring them. The aim of such socialisation-through-fear is twofold: firstly,...
Image of Toxins in our food supply are killing bees
Toxins in our food supply are killing bees
editorial posted by in braincrave
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (aka who watches the watchmen)? Called Colony Collapse Disorder, there is something killing honeybees. They are dying in "huge numbers." Scientists from the US Environ...
Image of Economically unenlightened
Economically unenlightened
editorial posted by in braincrave
How do you make economics more fun so that people better understand basic concepts and, just as important, what the ramifications are from making poor economic choices? FTA: "Who is better informe...
Banning psychological violence
editorial posted by in braincrave
Don't even get me started on the vicious "family" laws and their completely immoral courts, but I couldn't pass up providing this particular continued proof of government stupidity: "France to int...
Image of Liberals (finally) speak out
Liberals (finally) speak out
editorial posted by in braincrave
Guess you can't call them hypocrites for this particular action, unlike most liberals who railed against Bush but now ignore the fact that Obama has continued with (and gone beyond) Bush’s anti-ter...
Image of TIL Einstein supported a one-world government and was a Socialist
TIL Einstein supported a one-world government and was a Socialist
editorial posted by in braincrave
Today I learned Albert Einstein supported a one-world government and was a Socialist. Einstein's passionate commitment to the cause of global peace led him to support the creation of a single, u...
Image of Ethical double-standards
Ethical double-standards
editorial posted by in braincrave
What's the difference between being a slave and a serf? When slavery was common hundreds of years ago, your master kept 100% of what you earned. Now they take about 50%. Masters used to keep you in l...
Image of Police committing fraud
Police committing fraud
editorial posted by in braincrave
Did you know that politicians in New York City have tried to play-up crime statistics showing that crime was down? It's becoming clear that it appeared as such because the statistics were faked. FTA:...
Image of No MILFs allowed
No MILFs allowed
editorial posted by in braincrave
Alright, here's one for you ladies. A few nights ago I learned what the term "cougar" meant, and I also learned there were some women who considered the word MILF an insult rather than a compliment....
Image of Teaching robots to lie
Teaching robots to lie
editorial posted by in braincrave
Technology is so grand. With the research from this experiment, we might finally be able to replace the lowest form of humans - politicians - with robots. After all, if you can teach robots to lie, t...