Things I Think Are Kinda Cool

YOU: I can’t believe that 2010 is almost here…the start of a new decade.

BRAIN: I know – what will happen next year…so many questions. Will Iran get any closer to a nuclear weapon? Will our health care system improve? Will Apple finally release a tablet computer?

YOU: Yeah, sure, whatever. Will Brangelina finally self-destruct? How many more babies will Michelle Duggar pop out? What’s next for Snooki!?!

BRAIN: Who?

YOU: Never mind. I guess you’re gonna make me read a bunch of ‘interesting’ articles now, right?

BRAIN: Wait…seriously.  Who’s Snooki?

——

* If you’ve been paying attention over the past few years, you might think our government has been an abysmal failure – the economic crisis, failed levees, broken Congress, terrorists slipping through the cracks. So the real question is, why do these people still have jobs? – Salon

* Kidnapping and hostage-taking has become an extremely lucrative business in Nigeria. Explore the intricate ins and outs of this thriving industry, and find out why negotiating a ransom can be considered an art form. – NY Times

* When a good actor becomes a fully developed character on stage or screen, what physiological changes are going on in his brain? For the first time ever, scientists observe the brain activity of British thespian Fiona Shaw while she’s acting, and the results are very interesting. – BBC

* Elizabeth Warren, the Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel, is one of the few trustworthy voices talking about the economic crisis. She talks about the potential of an America without a middle class – it’s not as unbelievable as you might think. – Huff Po

* Fregoli Delusion is the name of an odd mental condition where a patient thinks that different people are actually the same person wearing a variety of disguises. Presque vu is the sensation that you’re about to have an amazing epiphany, although it never actually happens. Find out more about these and other strange conditions of the human mind. – Mind Cafe

* The Soviets failed miserably in Afghanistan 30 years ago…if we want a more successful outcome, what can the US learn from their mistakes? – Daily Beast

BRAIN: Can you believe it’s already been a year since Obama was elected? Time really flies.

YOU: Yup. Just think about a year ago…

BRAIN: I am – it was a galvanizing time of hope, togetherness, and positive energy.

YOU: It was HORRIBLE – it was a world without Susan Boyle, ‘Cougar Town’, Hailey Glassman, Balloon Boy, Carrie Prej—

BRAIN: SHUT UP!!! — Sorry…I didn’t mean to yell. Just do me a favor and read these articles.

YOU: OK, Mr. Sensitive…jeeez…

—

* Arianna Huffington profiles David Ploufe’s new book “The Audacity to Win”, and urges Obama and his team to be loyal to the themes of the grassroots movement which got him elected. What happened to the promises of sweeping change that got millions of new voters off their couches and into voting booths a year ago? – Huffington Post

* A new interview with Al Gore touches on a wide range of topics, including: his guarded optimism about the climate crisis, his frustration towards the growing influence of lobbyists in Washington, and his candid thoughts about Obama’s ubiquitous media exposure – Salon

* You can learn a lot about our collective consciousness by typing in a few letters in the Google search bar and seeing the most common searches pop-up thanks to “Google Suggest”. Slate digs deeper and points out some interesting (and hilarious) trends. – Slate

* To say that Obama has his hands full with precarious foreign policy situations would be the understatement of the century – Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran…Leslie Helb gives a brutally honest and eye-opening status report, as well as some tough-love advice – Daily Beast

* Why are kids fascinated with magic tricks, and why are they so eager to figure out the secrets behind them? An MIT professor of cognitive science explains how kids are hooked once their expectations about the physical world aren’t met. -Slate

* Melissa Harris-Lacewell explores the deepening racial divide among Obama supporters. If his black supporters continue to become even more supportive, while at the same time more pessimistic about the country, how will this affect his presidency? – The Nation