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

Weekend

Here's mine:

This came out of the oven about an hour ago (recipe via pinterest and evilshenanigans):

Just got The Decemberists new album, The King is Dead, from the library. Can't wait to listen:
(Update: just listened. Terrific album, but they had Gillian Welch and only used her as a backup vocal?? For shame, Mr. Meloy.)



How To Die in Oregon. Showing at the Portland International Film Festival this weekend. Update: this movie is powerful, difficult to watch, and very, very good. See it on HBO this spring if you can.

Three Basic Recipes

From Mark Bittman of the New York Times:

People are cooking less than ever before... Yet Americans watch 35 hours of television a week, according to a Nielsen survey. (Increasing amounts of that time are spent watching other people cook). (italics mine)

This is a good article about how and why to start cooking for yourself, without fuss.
Find the recipes here, here, and here.