LOST!

What: Ambition.
When: Somewhere between the ages of 10 and 17.
Reward: Fulfillment of moral agency.

If found, please return to Miss Laura J. McLeod.

Sifneos

Stable personality trait/constricted imaginal processes/concrete, realistic, logical thinking often to the exclusion of emotional responses to problems/lacks empathy in general/superadjusted to reality/cold or distant.

Check.

Libertarian Paternalism and Choice Architecture

The Atlantic (Monthly). Although it has been around for over 150 years, I'm fairly certain it is my new favourite magazine. The article on The Neuroscience of Identity was particularly fetching and touched briefly on Thaler and Sunstein's concept of "libertarian paternalism". They have co-written a book called Nudge that centers on this kind of thinking, which essentially asserts that based on the design of a decision (choice architecture), we can be "nudged" towards making better choices for ourselves with the unobtrusive help and guidance of a positive default decision or context. This principle may just seem like a synonym for common sense, but let's face it, not all of us are privy to common sense these days, and a "nudge" sure might help. Not only can libertarian paternalism be used in our daily personal lives, but also in government policy making, work environments, administration, and just about any situation that involves choice. Read more here.

Sweat and Bruises at Girl Talk

The show last night was fabulous. The "concert" (I use this term loosely as it felt like more of a dance party) was reminiscent of something from the film It's All Gone Pete Tong. I haven't the faintest clue how Gregg Gillis does it almost every night; I have a feeling it may involve copious amounts of cocaine. Regardless, I loved every sweaty, hair-pulling, elbow-in-the-face, smelly moment of it. Here is a brief video, photos should follow shortly. Sorry about the shakiness of the video but in that crowd, it was near impossible to do much better.

I tried to sweep it under the rug

Autumn warmth brought about this unearthly idealized sense of the world where intricate idiosyncrasies were forgotten or embraced, and in those fleeting moments, clarity stared me straight in the eyes, then smiled.

Parable of the Celestial Teapot

"Many orthodox people speak as though it were the business of sceptics to disprove received dogmas rather than of dogmatics to prove them. This is, of course, a mistake. If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time."

-Bertrand Russell

Free Blood

Free Blood: Perhaps the most intriguing duo I have heard in a while. Below are a couple of their performances I just saw at the "From the Basement" show (which also featured a one hour Radiohead performance- no complaints!).

Some things you should watch...

The Take Away Shows featured on La Blogothèque always seem to deliver this eerie calmness, and complete sense of immersion that ultimately leaves me in a disoriented stupor. See for yourself. The Department of Eagles are featured below (their new album came out earlier this month, but I recommend listening to the song No One Does it Like You if you visit their site).

#71.2 - Department of Eagles - Part 2
by lablogotheque

Secondly, the ladies of First Aid Kit have covered The Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, and I must say, they have outdone their predecessor.

Live at the Crystal Ballroom

The Black Keys new live DVD will be out November 18, and will include footage from their sold-out show earlier this year in Portland, Oregon. If you wish to have your mind blown, watch the teasing preview here. For me, watching it is comparable to giving an alcoholic a single drink and then cutting them off. I want more.

(On a side note, tomorrow the new Of Montreal album, Skeletal Lamping, will be released, as will the new Final Fantasy record. My fingers are crossed that they will both be better than the new Deerhoof album released a couple weeks back; It was a disappointment to say the least).

Action de Grâce