Earth from the International Space Station — The Chill-Out Mix

This is beautiful and awesome.

For a really cool experience open the video full-screen, sit back, and relax…

Thanks Carter for sending my way!

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Thomas Friedman Interview on BBC Radio 3

On a recent episode of the always-interesting BBC Radio 3 Arts & Ideas Podcast, Philip Dodd spoke with Thomas Friedman about his new book “That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back“. While I don’t usually agree with Friedman, I did find this interview interesting–Dodd challenges Friedman and engages him in constructive argument with guests Gideon Rachman and Anatole Lieven. Worth a listen for folks interested in current affairs, globalization, economics, education, and big ideas.

Listen here or download the MP3:

>> Hear more & subscribe for free: BBC Arts & Ideas

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Thoughts on Peter Gabriel’s “New Blood”

"New Blood" by Peter Gabriel

Just got my CD copy of Peter Gabriel‘s newest project, “New Blood” — an orchestral rehashing of a number of his classic songs. He revisited the studio, recording entirely new versions of tracks with a full orchestra and without drum kit or guitar. As a long-time Peter Gabriel fan, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the album. My verdict: it’s a pleasure.

“New Blood” feels like bearing witness a musical experiment. At times it feels just that–experimental. I’m still not sure that “Solsbury Hill” and “Intruder” benefit from the orchestral arrangements; nonetheless I’m glad to hear a new interpretation. Every track on the album makes me contemplate the songs afresh. “Wallflower“, “Red Rain”, “Don’t Give Up”, “San Jacinto”, and “Blood of Eden” particularly shine. A couple songs are (dare I say) better than the original album recordings.

I recommend “New Blood” not only for Peter Gabriel fans who know all the songs already. In fact, I’d be curious to learn the reactions of listeners who hear the “New Blood” versions first, then go off and listen to the original album cuts.

For a sampling of the behind-the-scenes process behind “New Blood”, check out this video:

As always, much more information at PeterGabriel.com. Enjoy.

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Fouad Ajami on the U.N. and a Palestinian State

Fouad Ajami wrote the opinion piece below for the Wall Street Journal back in June. It’s still timely a couple months later as Palestine seeks a declaration of statehood from the United Nations this week. While it’s high time that the Palestinian people join the international community and adopt the responsibilities of statehood, Ajami makes a crucial point that achieving statehood takes much more than declarations.

>> Link: The U.N. Can’t Deliver a Palestinian State

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A Little Deception Helps Push Athletes to the Limit

I’ve said before that the real difference between a lot of elite athletes–especially cyclists–is not in the muscles but in the mind. On a killer mountain, or a fast stretch, it’s your mind that often wants to back down first. You have to train yourself to keep pushing in those situations. (I like to think about this in terms that Jens Voigt famously said: “Shut up, legs!”

Many seasoned cyclists say the best way to become a better cyclist is to ride with riders better than you. I can attest that riding with better riders makes you realize just how much you can do. Now it seems that research substantiates this idea.

What I wonder is how much this principle applies in endeavors beyond physical performance? How many exercises in life do we self-limit? How can we coach ourselves to eek out an extra percentage point of performance when it comes to goals beyond just pedaling to victory?

>> Read More: A Little Deception Helps Push Athletes to the Limit – NYTimes.com

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Haruki Murakami: Talent Is Nothing Without Focus and Endurance

The 99 Percent presents an overview of Haruki Murakami’s memoirs, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.

>> Link: Haruki Murakami: Talent Is Nothing Without Focus and Endurance :: Articles :: The 99 Percent

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US debt problem visualized: Debt stacked in 100 dollar bills

This is a brilliant information design project, and an astounding reminder of the scale of money we talk about in public finance.

>> Link: US debt problem visualized: Debt stacked in 100 dollar bills.

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Banking With the Dodgers

Got this flyer in the mail yesterday. Maybe the Dodgers should try opening their own checking account? Sure seems they could use the money.

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Los Angeles Transport Fantasy Map

This is like urban design porn. If only LA were like this…(sigh)…

LA Transport Fantasy Map

>> LA TACO » Transport Fantasy Map ~ Los Angeles

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“Symmetry” from Radiolab

In the spirit of their thought-provoking and funky radio show, Radiolab presents this short video about symmetry. Watch and you’ll understand. Very clever.

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Distracted Driving: The New Drunk Driving

April is Distracted Driving Month. The Economist reports on the effects of cell phones on driving ability:

The human brain has to work harder to process language and communication with somebody who is not physically present.

Such distractions, according to one study, make drivers more collision-prone than having a blood-alcohol level of .08%, the legal limit in America. It appears to raise the risk of an accident by four times. Texting multiplies the risk by several times again.

This is striking. While research into the quantitative effects of distracted driving will surely continue to amaze us, we don’t need statistics to remind us to be safe while driving. Everyone let’s remember to pay attention to the road.

>> Read more: Car safety: Think before you speak | The Economist

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A Brief History of Bicycles in Los Angeles

Los Angeles public TV station KCET presents A Brief History of Bicycles in the Los Angeles Area on their blog. For everyone interested in bicycles or LA history–or both!–the article includes some wonderful photos of a bike-friendly LA from a century ago.

One particular bit of note:

Seeking to capitalize on popular interest in the sport, the Southern Pacific Railroad built a bicycle track and spectator stand in the beach community. The Santa Monica Cycle Path to Los Angeles was later built along the present-day route of Washington Boulevard.

Good timing on the blog post, KCET: tonight is the Hammer Museum’s 3rd annual Bike Night.

>> Link: A Brief History of Bicycles in the Los Angeles Area | History | SoCal Focus | KCET

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