Scientists Will Never Find a Copy of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the Brain

Because your brain does not process information, retrieve knowledge or store memories. In short: your brain is not a computer. Robert Epstein’s essay in Aeon: No matter how hard they try, brain scientists and cognitive psychologists will never find a copy of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony (video below) in the brain – or copies of words,Continue reading “Scientists Will Never Find a Copy of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the Brain”

US Media Is Collapsing, Here’s How to Save It

Mass layoffs are tearing through US media. To preserve a functioning media ecosystem, we need three things: immediate aid to struggling journalists, public subsidies to smaller news outlets, and eventually industry transformation into a publicly funded system. Alissa Quart in Jacobin: The requests from independent journalists for grants, including personal emergency grants, have been comingContinue reading “US Media Is Collapsing, Here’s How to Save It”

“India is (not) going back into the background anymore. It has arrived.”

Modi’s economy also offers a ‘real alternative’ to China Excerpt of analysis by Diksha Madhok in CNN: India is said to be a prime candidate to benefit from the ‘friend-shoring’ of supply chains, notably at the expense of China. It has a surging young population and humming factories, and market watchers are hoping that Modi’s ruling BharatiyaContinue reading ““India is (not) going back into the background anymore. It has arrived.””

The G20 Looks South

Bruno De Conti , Pedro Rossi, Arthur Welle, and Clara Saliba in Phenomenal World: In December 2023, Brazil began presiding over the G20. The one-year presidency, which will culminate in the annual summit being hosted in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024, is the third of four terms from the global South—following Indonesia in 2022Continue reading “The G20 Looks South”

Geopolitics and the Geometry of Global Trade

McKinsey’s Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, January 2024) includes analysis of the changing geometry of global goods trade using four measures, each of which has its own limitations: trade intensity, geographic distance, import concentration, and a new measure of “geopolitical distance.” TALKING POINTS: –The global economy was more resilient than anticipated in 2023, but uncertaintyContinue reading “Geopolitics and the Geometry of Global Trade”

A Zen Buddhist Priest Voices the Deep Matters he Usually Ponders in Silence

Directed by Chris Santiago; Produced by Daryl Hefti – Born into a wealthy Austrian family, the life of Vanja Palmers changed course dramatically in 1972 after a psychedelic experience. Abandoning his plan to enter the business world, he became a Zen Buddhist priest and founded a silent meditation retreat, first in Austria, then in Switzerland.Continue reading “A Zen Buddhist Priest Voices the Deep Matters he Usually Ponders in Silence”

What’s a Group of Ravens Called?

These super-smart birds recognize other friendly birds, as well as human faces. By the way, the only bird that dares to peck an eagle is the raven. How an eagle handles a raven? Curated by Irshad Salim, Karachi. Email: [email protected]

Denzel Washington: Black Actor Who Redefined Excellence in Hollywood

Leah Jones in Yahoo News: Throughout cinematic history, legendary Black actors have shattered barriers and pioneered new standards of excellence through their groundbreaking work on screen and off. Their compelling performances not only entertained audiences but also, reshaped the landscape of storytelling by destroying tired stereotypes and introducing more authentic narratives. These icons possess a rare, enduring star power thatContinue reading “Denzel Washington: Black Actor Who Redefined Excellence in Hollywood”