Random interests

Currently reading:

I'm enjoying it, especially the part about the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Basically, it's the physiological counterpart of our (at times) overzealous super-ego. It keeps us from knocking someone down on the sidewalk and taking their gorgeous boots, but it can also keep us creatively blocked when doing its job too well.

image from here.

Steven Poole of The Guardian has another view. You can read his snarky review here. I agree with him that Lehrer's book has a little too much emphasis on corporate creativity as the ultimate goal, but this is the U.S.A. in 2012, after all. (Go read about Monoculture if this kind of thing interests you.)

Here's the link for Jonah Lehrer's website.

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Brian Greene and the multiverse:

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Found this recipe at Pinterest and made it last night. Really, really good. Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese. Recipe at A Couple Cooks.

Source: acouplecooks.com via LB on Pinterest

A man after my own heart.

Joshua Klein on the intelligence of crows:



link here.

Magic

The first major survey of work by the wonderful illustrator/philosopher/designer Maira Kalman is opening at The Jewish Museum in New York March 11. You can read more about it at Pinball Publishing's blog, Bangback; in this article at Dwell; and at the Museum's website.

Self-Portrait with Pete, 2004-2005, via Dwell.

Ms. Kalman in one of my favorite TED videos:

TED Talks: 5 dangerous things for kids

This is a great short video from TED Talks (if you don't know about these, you are missing a great resource). Thank God my kids had a father who did 4 out 5 of these things with them while I cowered in the background (not really, I think I hid my hysteria quite well). He even made an atlatl so they could throw spears even farther. They lit fires, had pocket knives, threw spears, and took apart appliances of all kinds.