Sigmund Freud, Spoons & Forks, Urban Farming , Defining Jewishness, Stephen Glass
The Great Psychologists: Sigmund Freud
Alain de Botton | School Of Life | 7th November 2014
A short account for the general reader of Freud's main ideas. "His work shows us that the conscious, rational part of the mind is, in his words, 'not even master in its own house'. We are governed by competing forces, some beyond our conscious perception. We should attend to him — however strange some of his theories may seem — because he gives us a wonderfully enlightening account of why being human is very difficult" (3,600 words)
The Forks Model Of Disability
Ozymandias | Thing Of Things | 1st November 2014
How to think about emotional energy using forks and spoons. "Forks work somewhat like spoons, in that you have to pay varying amounts for tasks. However, unlike spoons, forks don’t replenish over time. Instead, you get forks when you finish particular tasks. Socializing might cost you ten forks and give you twelve, showering might cost you three and give you ten, eating might cost you one and give you twenty" (1,400 words)
My Urban Farming Epic Fail
Isaac Eger | Narratively | 10th November 2014
A Portland tale well told. Four college roommates decide to keep some chickens. Then some ducks. And — why not? — some goats. "We were ill-equipped goat stewards. We admit that. Since we were young and hungry, we formulated the most self-serving and simple plan we could: butcher the goats for Thanksgiving". The goats get out alive. Not so the ducks. And you may want to skip the paragraph about Joan of Arc's beheading (4,940 words)
How I Stopped Being A Jew
Will Self | Guardian | 6th November 2014
Review of Shlomo Sand's book, How I Stopped Being A Jew, in which Sand poses the question: "What, in this day and age, exactly is a secular Jew?", and goes on to argue that Jewishness cannot be adequately defined by race, language, or culture. His conclusion: "the most secure foundation of Jewish secular identity since 1945 has been the persecutory criteria that crystallised in the Holocaust" (1,890 words)
My Name Is Stephen Glass, And I’m Sorry
Hannah Rosin | New Republic | 10th November 2014
For its centenary issue, the New Republic seeks out the seemingly brilliant young journalist who almost destroyed the magazine in the 1990s when his many attention-grabbing stories turned out to be elaborate fabrications. Two decades later, Glass lives in Venice Beach and works for a personal-injury law firm. He appears to be a thoroughly reformed character. But, given his history, is he just acting out his regrets to win back trust? (6,980 words)
Video of the day: Amazon Echo (Beta Version)
What to expect: Spoof advertisement for Amazon's smart loudspeaker. NB: Some adult language
Thought for the day
There is no point in using the word 'impossible' to describe something that has clearly happened
Douglas Adams (http://lesswrong.com/lw/l72/rationality_quotes_november_2014)