POTUS defers to LOST

Just now, I remembered WHY I voted for Obama.

Richard Dawkins: Religion is worse than sexual abuse

I’ve read The God Delusion. I even enjoyed a lot of it. I have The Greatest Show on Earth on my iPod right now.

Somehow, I missed this: Richard Dawkins seriously considers indoctrinating the young with religious delusions to be WORSE than sexual abuse. I’m fine with opinions, even the opinion that religion is a “delusion” but this is beyond belief.

This makes me so angry I could cry.

Whether or not monogamy is “natural” is missing the point.

Recently, I came across this comment on a post about Tiger Woods.

“The problem is much deeper and it is a society that still tries to cling to a belief in monogamy. I can’t blame them as I also cling to that same belief, but maybe we as society should rethink what we demand from ourselves. Even if we follow it, is monogamy the right way to live, or does Tiger have it right?”

What?

Rethink what we demand from ourselves? That guy sounds like he’s trying to justify an affair in the near future. Does Tiger have it right? As in, should men all sleep with whomever they please?

Attachment, Relationships, and Misconceived Buddhism

A common misconception about Buddhism is that it teaches its adherents to rid themselves of all attachments—including relationships. Attachments, according to Buddhism, ultimately cause suffering. This is something that, despite my interest in Buddhism, has kept me from really appreciating it until recently. Even psychologist Jonathan Haidt made this mistake in his book, The Happiness Hypothesis: “Yes, attachments bring pain, but they also bring our greatest joys…” Haidt proposes that the Buddhist teaching of non-attachment may be extreme.

New Moon = Transformers + No Shirts

Neither are critically acclaimed movies… and in neither case do the fans care. They both make tons of money. Both have transforming-ish characters.

New Moon is now even in the top 3 of biggest opening weekends, right next to the Dark Knight. Really.

So what is the difference between Transformers and Twilight?

Here it is:

Megan Fox is wearing more clothes than Taylor Lautner.

comments from my students

I just got back the midterm evaluations for my class – the FIRST class I have taught all by myself. Here are a few:

What did you like most about the course and/or the instructor?

“Adam rocks! We have awesome discussions and learn a lot about teaching!”

“I like how we don’t have useless tests.”

“I loved that he let us discuss and provided feedback.  He basically let us be ourselves and doesn’t judge us for our opinion.”

“Mr. F [they really wrote "Mr. F" - Arrested Development reference, anyone?] is pretty chill and I feel that the introspectiveness of this class has been very beneficial to my person.”

Native American Mascots & Team Names Need to Stop

Starting with the Washington Redskins of the NFL. Sure, they have no “economic” incentive to change their name–it is not the job of capitalism to instill values–but this is one of those things that we are going to look back on in 40-50 years (hopefully a lot sooner) and think, “Wow, look at what complete racist idiots we were back then!” Think about it. Can you imagine a pro sports team today called the Alabama Blackskins?

A thank you to my atheist friends: One reason why I’m a believer

I have given a lot of thought as to why I believe in more than just this life, or why I believe in something bigger, stronger, and wiser* than I am…. than we are.

Bigger than the Big Bang.

The real explanation for sexy Halloween costumes

10/17 Update: Warning–This post is meant to be humorous. Apparently many people have somehow been offended, lol. I pass no judgment on one’s preferred Halloween wear. None at all. Seriously people, chill.

Also, by “Darwin” I mean “Evolutionary Theory.” “Darwin” just sounded punchier, like we could blame one dude. I don’t know how a few comments thought I meant “Social Darwinism.”

For those who don’t mind my ill-advised/ham-fisted attempts at humor, read on.

Darwin.

Sure, you can use the economic explanation – these costumes exist because they sell. That however does not get at the root of the issue. Nor does the line, “for one day a year I get to dress like the hooker I always wanted to be, but couldn’t.