We all know the conventional wisdom of how products are made and how they are used, then disposed of.  When we saw this video that filled in the gaps, we had to share.  We wanted to share this one because we feel that it represents the current state of affairs we are in and what we are doing to ourselves.  My question is, will we wake up too late.  This is THE crisis of the 21^st Century.  What will it take for us to act?  I fear the answer, and hope you see the urgency like we do.

When I found this on YouTube it was recommended by the editors there, not a bad choice if you ask me.  It had the following description: “From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.”

Check out their website (http://StoryOfStuff.org). Time for us to re-think what we do, and make the world a better place as a result of use, not destroy the one thing we will always need to continue as a species, the Earth.

URL: http://www.bigquestionsonline.com/columns/michael-shermer/stephen-hawking%E2%80%99s-radical-philosophy-of-science

The models generated by biochemical processes in our brains constitute “reality.” None of us can ever be completely sure that the world really is as it appears, or if our minds have unconsciously imposed a misleading pattern on the data. I call this belief-dependent realism. In my forthcoming book, The Believing Brain, I demonstrate the myriad ways that our beliefs shape, influence, and even control everything we think, do, and say about the world. The power of belief is so strong that we typically form our beliefs first, then construct a rationale for holding those beliefs after the fact. I claim that the only escape from this epistemological trap is science. Flawed as it may be because it is conducted by scientists who have their own set of beliefs determining their reality, science itself has a set of methods to bypass the cognitive biases that so cripple our grasp of the reality that really does exist out there. ~ Michael Shermer Author of The Believing Brain.

I am very intrigued by many of the ideas put forth in this article. The beginning ties anyone with a seeking mind in with the beautiful description of how we receive and interpret the environment through our senses and brain.  However, I must disagree with the author slightly in that I do not think our brains have the incredible crippling bias that Shermer references.

Science is extraordinary. Yet what runs science but human minds? When I look at reality I have to think that most of what I see is fairly accurate. From a philosophical standpoint we must come to the conclusion that we can never know exactly what reality is without altering that reality or without some degradation of the information we are getting about it. But I choose to assume that what my senses take in are as close to the truth as I may ever come. And in fact I can rely on my senses pretty well. Things behave in patterns that I have learned over my life. Other people can verify for me that there is in fact a computer screen in front of my eyes!

What I am getting at is that I am not a scientist nor are most people. Yet we can use logic and reason along with our senses and memory to make a pretty good working model of the world and that is what people have been doing for millenia. Observing and comparing notes. I am not trying to go on an attack on science. However, scientists study things that may or may not have a direct impact on our daily lives. Yet you and I can study and observe and make some logical conclusions about the world we live in that might make a vast difference in how we view our own realities. I look to science for guidance but I also consult a whole host of sources in order for me to make a a choice and apply it in my life.

It really all comes down to belief. Beliefs have the power to cloud our view of reality or tune us into it even more deeply. Even science has its doctrine. So I believe that it is even more important than science to focus on our own beliefs and realize that they are what inform our reality most yet that we can choose to have our observations shape them. One can either mold reality to their beliefs or allow reality to inform and inspire their thoughts and beliefs.

Ira Flatow talks with scientists and philosophers about the origins of human values, and the influence of modern scientific thought on human values. Even if science can shape human morals, should it? Or does science bring its own set of preconceptions and prejudices to moral questions?

Listen to the podcast: Can Science Shape Human Values?

This is where we plan to include the main question of the moment. A question that can be of many different genres, but is something we are interested in hearing what kind answers we will get.

“Huffington Post” blogger Nico Pitney says President Obama’s selecting him for a question during a press conference was not orchestrated, and debates Dana Milbank – who wrote what Nico calls a “dishonest” column about the exchange – and just happens to be on the same “Reliable Sources” panel that week.

Does this constitute collusion or is it not?

The Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee is currently holding a hearing, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Review.” The hearing will include testimony from military veterans on the effects of the policy. Rep. Patrick Murphy (PA-08), the only Iraq veteran in Congress, questions the witnesses.

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow & The Military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” [Ban On Gays In The Military] With Former Secretary Of The Army Clifford Alexander – 05/11/09

A special coverage segment of the Military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy by 60 minutes – An interesting look into how much the A special coverage segment of the Military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy by 60 minutes – An interesting look into how much the Military may or may not actually care about the ejecting gays from the military. Interestingly enough, as pointed out in this clip, having openly gay service members does not affect unit cohesiveness. In fact, the younger generation serving today may not actually have a problem with serving with openly gay service members; a starch contrast to what top brass has been preaching.

Current Poll