Monthly Archives: September 2009

Author Ray Kurzweil on the Web Within Us

Futurist Ray Kurzweil, author of The Age of Spiritual Machines and The Singularity is Near, visits Google’s Mountain View, CA headquarters to discuss his book “The Web Within Us: When Minds and Machines Become One.” This event took place on July … Continue reading

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Got Pain? Take Two Photos of Your Loved One and Call Me in the Morning

Before our first son was born, my wife and I took labor preparation classes at the hospital.  The instructor suggested that when the big day arrived, husbands (or partners) should bring to the hospital a photograph of someone or something that … Continue reading

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If You Want to Catch a Liar, Make Him Draw

A man accused of a crime is brought into a police interrogation room and sits down at an empty table.  There’s no polygraph equipment in sight, and the typical two-cop questioning team isn’t in the room either.  Instead, one officer … Continue reading

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When it Comes to Trusting Authority, Moral Conviction and Religiosity Part Ways

One of the consistent elements in political discussions is the influence of religious belief on attitudes toward government. And typically it’s assumed that a high degree of religiosity is synonymous with a high degree of moral conviction – they’re popularly … Continue reading

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Filed under About Belief, About Morality, About Religion, About Research

Never Underestimate the Power of Conformity

Apologies for the radio silence – I’m traveling this week and net time has been limited.  For now, take a look at the video below made by a social psychology student at Mississippi State University for an experiment on conformity to … Continue reading

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The Closer You Are, the More I Believe You

Let’s say that you’re watching a taped television show in which someone is being interviewed about an alleged theft she may or may not have committed. She offers a detailed explanation as to why she’s innocent, and you as one … Continue reading

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If You’re Feeling Warm and Fuzzy, It Might Just be the Coffee

If you have a falling out with someone and they start ignoring you, they’re “giving you the cold shoulder.”  If you feel emotionally close to someone, you have “warm feelings” towards that person.  We’re accustomed to using metaphorical language like … Continue reading

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