Things I Think Are Kinda Cool

Only Orson Welles could flawlessly pull off an impressive magic trick in about :20 seconds, all while taking a puff from one of his infamous cigars:

-Link via @Brainpicker

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…

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* 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