• The Web Needs an Exit Ramp.  Alexis C. Madrigal suggests that living in the firehose of All Known Thought is beginning to wear people out. The web is great because there is no end to it. That's also why the web is not great. Or as he says:"It is easier to read 'Ulysses' than it is to read the Internet. Because at least 'Ulysses' has an end, an edge. 'Ulysses' can be finished. The Internet is never finished."  The Atlantic Magazine

• Everything Changes - Resisting this inevitable thing keeps us from progressing. When we understand and accept that nothing is permanent, our wisdom grows.  CollectiveEvollution.com

• Disrupting Government: Why Countries Will Soon Have to Compete for their Citizens-   Futurist Magazine

• Burger Robot Poised to Disrupt Fast Food Industry - Burger robots may improve consistency and sanitation, and they can knock out a rush like nobody's business. Momentum's robot can make a burger in 10 seconds (360/hr). Fast yes, but also superior quality. Because the restaurant is free to spend its savings on better ingredients, it can make gourmet burgers at fast food prices. But Momentum Machines' burger-bot isn't provocative for its anticipated effects on fast food quality. The bot, and other robots like it, may soon replace low-skilled workers in droves. See the greater implications of this via one of my previous blog posts - Meet the Technology that Wants Your Job.

• 5 Questions You'll Need to Settle Workplace Disagreements - As collaboration becomes essential for any job, it's not "if" but "when" you will get into a disagreement with your colleagues. So when it does happen, what are your options for de-escalating a disagreement in the workplace and finding resolution quickly? 99u.com

• Forget the Shortest Route Across a City; New Algorithm / App Finds the Most Beautiful - technologyreview.com

• Hack Your Brain's Default Mode with Meditation - Dan Harris explains the neuroscience behind meditation, but reminds us that the ancient practice isn't magic and likely won't send one floating into the cosmic ooze. He predicts that the exercise will soon become regularly scheduled maintenance, as commonplace as brushing your teeth or eating your veggies. Harris, an ABC News correspondent, was turned on to meditation after a live, on-air panic attack.  BigThink.com

• Progress - Based on the best-selling book A Short History of Progress, this provocative documentary explores the concept of progress in our modern world, guiding us through a sweeping but detailed survey of the major "progress traps" facing our civilization in the arenas of technology, economics, consumption, and the environment.  View it at www.GaiamTV.com (free ten day trial - I highly recommend GaiamTV - a great way to move away from standard mind-numbing mainstream media).

• What Will a Liberal Arts Education Look Like in 50 Years? Atlantic Magazine asked a group of academics within some of America's top universities to weigh in on the fate of higher education. "We won't have liberal arts and sciences at all 50 years from now unless we really understand how to save what's good, but reinvent what's new and needed," says Harvard University education professor Howard Gardner.  Atlantic Magazine.

• Various Artists - Simplicitas - Showcases up and coming jazz pianist Edward Simon along with one of my favorite bass players - Avishai Cohen.

• Dino Contenti - Near Gale  - Modern jazz merges with futuristic new age ethos to create something special on this excellent album from 2008.

• Terje Gewelt - Small World  - Jazz / world beat hybrid with audiophile sonics.  really tasty.  

• John Patitucci - Dialogues With Double Bass - Double the Bass, Double the Fun.

• TwinGhost - my wife and I heard this Philadelphia based rock/blues group at MusikFest a couple of weeks ago - one of the U.S.'s largest music festivals which is held in our backyard in Bethlehem, PA.  The lead singer and bassist look like they could be in an episode of Duck Dynasty and the guitarist is a dead ringer for Jesus.  But that aside, the music and lyrics (their own compositions) were tremendous - soulful and from a beautiful voice.  

• "Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained."  - Lao Tzu

• "When you adopt the viewpoint that there is nothing that exists that is not part of you, that there is no one who exists who is not part of you, that any judgment you make is self-judgment, that any criticism you level is self-criticism, you will wisely extend to yourself an unconditional love that will be the light of the world." - Harry Palmer

• "What would life be like if we had no courage to attempt anything?" -Vincent Van Gogh

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