Some people built this strange looking statue in England.

And this is what it sounds like.

A good article by Robert Reich on how cynicism leads to defeat. Best of all is his list how much as been accomplished since he graduated from university in 1968. It’s good to be reminded of these things.

I like Mr. Reich a lot and this made me like him even more.

I’m not sure if this qualifies as too cool for words or way too much time on his hands. Because, damn.

Here’s an interesting article on how belief in a ‘just world’, that is a world where a person receives the rewards they deserve for their actions, leads its believers to feel anger towards and hatred of other people.

Surprisingly enough, it’s not solely because a ‘just world’ belief makes those who are ‘being punished’ deserving of their fate, but it also shows that the believer is helpless! They believe that the world is just. They believe they can do positive things. But people in dire straits shows that the believer has less power than they thought.

Which makes them angry at the person or people showing the believer of their helplessness.

Interesting.

To clarify I will note that I believe we can do some work toward building a just world, but the world isn’t just and never will be. Actions do not guarantee either reward or punishment. We, as individuals and a society, can be just. The universe will never be just.

New York state has passed a bill that sets up a fund that can be drawn upon to run for office in the state.

Text of the bill

I think the ways they fund it are creative and wise.

Who says democracy doesn’t work?

Interesting article on how Anton LaVey was inspired by Ayn Rand.

So, I guess this means the zombie eyed granny starver, Paul Ryan, is a Satanist. I’d never have guessed, but it explains a lot.

From Cracked, the exemplar of the aphorism, “it must be true because fiction has to make sense.”

Major security leaks done by people who are supposed to be smart.

Of course Tea Partiers have a spot on the list.

How did this authoritarian scumbag end up on the Supreme Court?

Apparently, Hyundai thought this ad was a clever way to sell cars in Germany. They obviously didn’t put a lot of thought into it.

Warning: If you have experience with suicide this may be triggering. Avoid the comments also. A lot of psychopaths have shown up to go, “Boo fucking hoo. Grow a pair, weaklings.”

This article didn’t surprise me much, but it’s good to know that scientists are looking at the problem carefully.