Somnium Singularis

The Architecture of Motivation

Babak R — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:21:04 +0000

VERY interesting research! Finally we’re seeing the foundations for a truly scientific theory of (a subset of) feelings. Sartre would have loved it!
Of particular interest for all Iranians familiar with the “Irani-radar” is the theory for ‘Human Kin Detection System’

See video: http://www.edge.org/conversation/the-architecture-of-motivation-cosmides

What does procrastination tell us about ourselves?

Babak R — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 11:11:11 +0000

A very interesting article in The New Yorker that suddenly made everything in my current state-of-life so clear!

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/10/11/101011crbo_books_surowiecki?currentPage=1

Interesting progress in computational brain science

Babak R — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 11:08:08 +0000

Two very interesting talks about two very interesting parallel trends in brain sciences. What will happen when these two paths converge?

The first one is by Sebastian Seung who is mapping a massively ambitious new model of the brain that focuses on the connections between each neuron. He calls it our “connectome,” and it’s as individual as our genome — and understanding it could open a new way to understand our brains and our minds.

The second one is by Henry Markram who claims the mysteries of the mind can be solved — soon. Mental illness, memory, perception: they’re made of neurons and electric signals, and he plans to find them with a supercomputer that models all the brain’s 100,000,000,000,000 synapses.

Charter for Compassion

Babak R — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:32:25 +0000

Author and scholar Karen Armstrong talks about how the Abrahamic religions — Islam, Judaism, Christianity — have been diverted from the moral purpose they share to foster compassion. But Armstrong has seen a yearning to change this fact. People want to be religious, she says; we should act to help make religion a force for harmony. She asks for a Charter for Compassion — to help restore the Golden Rule as the central global religious doctrine.

I consider myself an atheist, or at best an agnostic. However, Karens message resonates strongly within me and makes me doubt and wonder…virtues I hold in high regards!

Liberals and consvervatives – Exploration vs. Exploitation

Babak R — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:18:02 +0000

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt studies the five moral values that form the basis of our political choices, whether we’re left, right or center. In this eye-opening talk, he pinpoints the moral values that liberals and conservatives tend to honor most.

The Empathic Civilization

Babak R — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:46:37 +0000

Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society.

The Great Philosophers with Bryan Magee – Frederick Copleston on Schopenhauer

Babak R — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:35:18 +0000

This episode examines the systematic, philosophical pessimism of Arthur Schopenhauer and its emphasis on infraconsciousness, or will, as the irrational motivating force in human nature. Distinguished philosophical historian Frederick Copleston discusses Schopenhauer’s theory of underlying reality as experienced through the inner self. On a larger scale, the concept of will is ultimately defined as energy, which is judged to be central to scientific explanations of what drives the universe.

Part1:

Part2:

Part3:

Part4:

Part5:

Slavoj Zizek – The unethical nature of charity

Babak R — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:55:19 +0000

Slavoj Zizek, one of the world’s most influential living philosophers, visits the RSA to discuss capitalism’s flawed priorities.

The circles of fiction – breaking the walls we build!

Babak R — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:05:23 +0000

Listening to stories widens the imagination; telling them lets us leap over cultural walls, embrace different experiences, feel what others feel. Elif Shafak builds on this simple idea to argue that fiction can overcome identity politics, she is the most-read female author in Turkey, where she is as well known for her descriptions of backstreets Istanbul as she is for her global and multicultural perspective. Her writing is at once rooted in her politically feminist education and her deep respect for and knowledge of Sufism and Ottoman culture.

It’s harder to be kind than clever!

Babak R — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:02:00 +0000

Amazon founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, gives a very inspirational and thought/heart provoking speech at Princeton.