TED Talk Tuesday: Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

I'm back! And I am now officially a college graduate! And in celebration of that accomplishment, I'm sharing Ken Robinson's brilliant and funny talk on how my education may have stifled my creativity.  ;-)

All joking aside, I love this talk. For me, the most powerful line is, "If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."

How often do we play it too safe? I'm working toward being more willing to take risks, as a writer, a musician and a human being. We get one life. Let's make the most of it!

TED Talk Tuesday: Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

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Stephen Hawking interview with Diane Sawyer: "Science will win."

Great video.

I'm plowing through the last few days of a summer school course. I hope to resume regular posting soon.

Stephen Hawking interview with Diane Sawyer: "Science will win."

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TED Talk Tuesday: Helen Fisher studies the brain in love

A subject that's been on my mind lately. Helen Fisher's talk on Why We Cheat is also excellent.

TED Talk Tuesday: Helen Fisher studies the brain in love

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Friday Funny: Teach the controversy!

Christian Groups: Biblical Armageddon Must Be Taught Alongside Global Warming

Friday Funny: Teach the controversy!

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I'm embarrassed for my city and my state!

Fargo resident Brian Magee is appealing the state's decision to reject his application for a vanity license plate reading "ISNOGOD." He points out the state's approval of plates reading, for example, "ILOVGOD;" there's a discussion about the separation of church and state, government endorsement of one religion over another, blah, blah, blah, all very interesting.

That's not what bothers me the most. It's this: The Forum, the daily of newspaper of the Fargo-Moorhead community violated my orthographical pet peeve and spelled "atheist" with the 'i' before the 'e' in the headline!!!! (Be advised that The Forum also thinks they're All That and disables links to their articles--unless you pay a fee--after two weeks, so if you're reading this more than two weeks after the original post, you'll just have to take my word for it.)

In my defense, I am not a native North Dakotan.

I'm embarrassed for my city and my state!

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ExMormon available from Amazon!

Many of you are probably familiar with C. L. Hanson's excellent blog Letters From a Broad (and if you're not, you should be!). She's written a book and it's now available for purchase. A synopsis:

If you’re raised Mormon, you have a plan all laid out for you: baptism at age eight, meetings every week, scouting and the priesthood (if you’re a boy), perhaps a mission and/or BYU, then temple marriage, kids of your own, and finally exaltation. But not everybody sticks to the script. Exmormon is a series of eight-and-a-half novellas about the kids of three Mormon families as they try to follow the straight-and-narrow path but occasionally strike out on their own. Their stories neither praise Mormonism nor condemn it. Growing up Mormon may or may not be a tragedy; losing your childhood belief may or may not be a failure — but either way, it’s an adventure.

Also, Hanson is donating the proceeds to Solar Aid and/or to the local conservation partnership with the Masoala National Park in Madagascar. A great read for a great cause!

ExMormon available from Amazon!

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Friday Funny: Debunking Mormonism

For all my fellow ex-mos. Thanks to Becky for posting this first.

Friday Funny: Debunking Mormonism

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Which book on evolution should I buy my kid?

My oldest son is very astute and precocious. (My younger son is too, but currently his vocabulary only extends to head nods or shakes, hop--which means help-- ball, heh-woh, and go!) He's been watching Dinosaur Train on PBS, which I think is a great show, but it's raised some confusing questions for him. 


"Are dinosaurs still alive?"


"No, honey, they all died. They're extinct."


"Oh. Did dinosaurs have trains?"


"No, that's just pretend on TV. Only people can build trains and people weren't around yet when the dinosaurs were alive."  (Suck it, Ken Ham!)


"Well, how did the people get here?"


"Well, after the dinosaurs died, there were other animals left that changed over time and became people other different animals."


"You mean they changed like frogs and caterpillars?"


"Well, that's a little different. When caterpillars and tadpoles become butterflies and frogs, that's called metamorphosis."


"Mefamorphis?"


Anyway, I tried to explain a little better, but wasn't sure how to present concepts like super-fecundity, natural selection, and the passing on of genes in ways that an almost-six-year-old could grasp. (Also at the back of my mind was that this conversation could easily segue into having "the Talk.") So I got on the internet to see what age appropriate books on the topic might be available. I've got it narrowed down to two. This one:

Or this one:

Has anyone read either of these and can offer me any useful information about them? My child's educational future is in your hands. Thanks!

Which book on evolution should I buy my kid?

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TED Talk Tuesday: Julia Sweeney has "the Talk"

I debated about whether to use this for TED Talk Tuesday or Friday Funny. I adore Julia Sweeney.

TED Talk Tuesday: Julia Sweeney has "the Talk"

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Super Women Writers!

Oh, if only my parents had bought me these when I was a kid! Thanks, Jen, for the link.

Super Women Writers!

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