Wiseman Entertains...

A card trick... and more:

I won't say what this video is concerning, so as not to take away from the effect, but it is another wonderful demonstration previously-posted by the always interesting British psychologist Richard Wiseman (for some reason, the audio doesn't seem to work on it, but it isn't necessary):

Short TED Talk

For the Friday video, a recent 3-minute talk from TED talks worth a gander:

Don't Try This At Home Kids

Friday video: Offered up strictly for your entertainment; though I s'pose there may be some science involved here somewhere(???):

Just For Fun

Back-to-back videos this week:




(hat tip: Blog Around the Clock)

Godel, Escher, Bach

A video introduction to Douglas Hofstadter's classic "Godel, Escher, Bach" begins here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jFhq3Rj6DI&NR=1

The Intelligence of Crows

Friday video: a popular TED talk on the high intelligence of crows, and how we can use it:

Neuronal Wiring

Friday video:

The human brain -- machine... or miracle:

Amazing Survival Mechanism

The Friday video: the incomparable David Attenborough narrates the amazing evolved escape tactic of the pebble toad:

Why Boys Will Be Boys

Friday video:

The physiology of male sex drive explained simply:

Epigenetics

Nice introduction to human genetics/epigenetics from the BBC here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9208477461799586076#

("The Ghost In Your Genes," also available on YouTube in multiple parts)

Our comprehension of the workings of genetics remains crude and primitive, despite advances. In 50-100 years we'll have a keener understanding of epigenetics... at which point no doubt some form of epi-epigenetics will be discovered and require further unraveling!

Amazing Migrating Monarchs

The Friday video:

Most readers are probably familiar with the massive North American migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico, but a good time to focus on it, as it's presently occurring:

Pollan's 'Botany of Desire'

PBS's full-length rendering of Michael Pollan's "The Botany of Desire" is now available online here (and excellent):


http://video.pbs.org/video/1283872815/

Blast From the Past

Non-science on tap:

Friday video... Evidence that medical "science" claims may not always be what they're cracked up to be:

How Observant Are You?

Friday video: a simple little test of awareness:

Science and Hollywood

Friday video:

The incomparable and always interesting Jennifer Ouellette, of the Science and Entertainment Exchange, speaking a bit ago on scientists and Hollywood, the good and the bad:

Wingsuit Flying -- WOW!

Recently came across "wingsuit" flying on the Web; an extreme (and fascinating) sport, that I'd never even heard of... sort of the closest thing yet to human free flight (using the gravitational pull of free-fall with a specially designed body suit... and a whole lot of training/skill). Thus far the record distance traveled is something beyond 20 km. So for the Friday video (prepare to be astounded):



Lest anyone think this is faked... it ISN'T, and plenty more clips on YouTube here:

http://tinyurl.com/m3zoue

Wilson-Watson-Darwin

Friday video: E.O. Wilson and James Watson on Charlie Rose discussing Darwin:

Flight of the Gossamer Condor

Friday video: Inventor Paul MacCready and his team won the first Kremer Prize of £50,000 in 1977 for achieving human-powered flight with his beautiful creation, the Gossamer Condor:

Physics Talking Heads

For the Friday video, more cosmology from "BloggingHeads.TV" with physicists Sean Carroll and Mark Trodden:

Dolphin Bubble Rings

For the Friday video, dolphins blowing amazing bubble rings to play with: