Magnets Manipulate Morals

“A new study has found magnetic fields can be used to confuse a region in the brain that controls a person’s sense of morality.

Using a powerful magnetic field, scientists are able to scramble the moral centre of the brain, making it more difficult for people to separate innocent intentions from harmful outcomes.

The research, which appears this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could have big implications for not only neuroscientists, but also for judges and juries.

‘It’s one thing to ‘know’ that we’ll find morality in the brain,’ says Dr Liane Young, a scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of the article. ‘It’s another to ‘knock out’ that brain area and change people’s moral judgments.’”

Source: Discovery News

So..... Pretty sure that'll be a new story idea in the X-Men comic books. Magneto uses his magnetic powers to make everyday people commit atrocious crimes that they have no remorse for... And if not... WHY NOT?!? It's the perfect cover! The X-Men will be looking for a telepath and they won't ever see it coming. Geek rant over.

Solar Beat One - Our Universe in a Music Box

This is such a great piece of design and sonic work. It's a musical representation of the movements of our solar system. you can adjust the tempo and watch and listen as the years fly by. It's quite beautiful and hypnotic. Just click HERE to check it out.

Powerful Words on Free Speech

Phillip Pullman, writer of the "His Dark Materials" saga is releasing a new book entitled, "The Good Man Jesus, and the Scoundrel Christ". Obviously many people will find this an offensive title, and while addressing an audience at the Sheridan Theatre, the intelligent and well spoken Pullman had these words to say on the matter:



Whether you agree with his point of view or not... Whether you like him or not... Whether you are religious or not... Pullman has voiced the most concise and truthful argument for free speech that I have heard in recent years. And with his experience, (The 'His Dark materials" saga was discontinued as a film project after only one film, "Golden Compass", because of pressure from the Catholic church) he speaks with a weight of intelligence that simply cannot be denied.

Hilarious Jesus Platform Game

Feel like life is hard? Why not put it into perspective and walk... for just 10 seconds in Jesus's shoes. (No doubt they were some sort of sandal.)

Not possible? Not true!

Finally YOU CAN DO EXACTLY THAT with this short platform game which puts you right there!

CLICK HERE

Try to win the hearts and minds of all 12 apostles and do great works, all in just 10 seconds!

I can only get 11 apostles... so that just proves to me that Jesus must've been really good at computer games.

World's first cyborg created using Rat brain.

Check out the video above and see what happens when the neurons from a Rat's brain are used to control what is essentially a remote control car...

Sceptic challenges guru to kill him live on TV

When a famous tantric guru boasted on television that he could kill another man using only his mystical powers, most viewers either gasped in awe or merely nodded unquestioningly. Sanal Edamaruku’s response was different. “Go on then — kill me,” he said.

Mr Edamaruku had been invited to the same talk show as head of the Indian Rationalists’ Association — the country’s self-appointed sceptic-in-chief. At first the holy man, Pandit Surender Sharma, was reluctant, but eventually he agreed to perform a series of rituals designed to kill Mr Edamaruku live on television. Millions tuned in as the channel cancelled scheduled programming to continue broadcasting the showdown, which can still be viewed on YouTube.

First, the master chanted mantras, then he sprinkled water on his intended victim. He brandished a knife, ruffled the sceptic’s hair and pressed his temples. But after several hours of similar antics, Mr Edamaruku was still very much alive — smiling for the cameras and taunting the furious holy man.

“He was over, finished, completely destroyed!” Mr Edamaruku chuckles triumphantly as he concludes the tale in the Rationalist Centre, his second-floor office in the town of Noida, just outside Delhi.

Mr Edamaruku has dedicated his life to exposing the charlatans — from levitating village fakirs to televangelist yoga masters — who he says are obstructing an Indian Enlightenment. He has had a busy month, with one guru arrested over prostitution, another caught in a sex-tape scandal, a third kidnapping a female follower and a fourth allegedly causing a stampede that killed 63 people.

I think I've found a new hero.

Source: Times Online

Business is as Business Does...

So, as some of you know I recently took part in an exhibition of works relating to album artwork for the One Bird Records launch party.

I took it upon myself to assume that there might be some musicians/managers/label related people there. So I decided I may just need a couple of business cards available to give out to people interested in my art. Being the organized person that I am, I thought of doing this roughly 4 hours prior to the exhibition. (But time pressures work for me so all was well in hell. Ho Hum.)

Below are some of the business cards I hand rendered for the event. Each one was drawn as an individual piece whilst sat in a coffee shop waiting for my train.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

It was fun watching people flick through them and pick their favourite out, or in fact, looking at them worryingly... like they weren't supposed to take them. haha.

One or two of them will end up being redrawn as larger pieces later down the line. I am a particular fan of "Toothby Jones" in the top left. I'm already working on a mahoosive version of him. Shweeeet.