Book review: Symbols, Art, and Language from the Land of the Dragon: The Cultural History of 100 Chinese Characters (Ni Yibin)
by Todd Mayville on Feb 28, 2010
This is one big (literally) beautiful book; one that belongs on a coffee table, not on a bookshelf. In it, author and scholar Ni Yibin gives a brief history of Chinese calligraphy as a whole, in addition to a discussion of how the various characters in the language evolved and developed over time. Accompanied by lush [...]
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A Classic Commencement Speech: Steve Jobs (Plus, the Buddhist 4 Reminders).
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 28, 2010
The Four Reminders are something we Buddhists repeat, and remind ourselves of, every day. But there’s nothing patently “Buddhist” about them—we’re basically just remembering that life is vulnerable, fragile, precious, and shouldn’t be wasted doing stupid, selfish, insincere stuff. Four Reminders Joyful to have Such a human birth, Difficult to find, Free and well-favored. But [...]
1,967 views
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This Year’s Oscar Predictions from the Mindful Critic.
by Reverend Danny Fisher on Feb 28, 2010
Next Sunday will see the broadcast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. After seeing most of the nominated films as part of my work on a recent list of the “Ten Best Films of 2009″ for elephant, I find that I’m paying closer attention to the race this year just as I did last year. As such, [...]
1,988 views
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Apple—beloved by hipsters + liberals (etc) everywhere—admits to using child labor.
by New Era News on Feb 28, 2010
It’s a sad day. I just found out my beloved Macbook Pro may have been assembled using child labor.
1,296 views
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Questions of Identity: Who Am I and What Do I Stand For?
by Claire Amber on Feb 28, 2010
Lately, I’ve been feeling the need for a shift in my image. I’ve been writing more and more about green business, green living, all things green. I even have an article up on Huffington Post, to that effect. I’ve made strides in my own personal life. I’ve worked behind the scenes for green companies and [...]
351 views
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Each Moment is Like a Precious Diamond.
by Bob Weisenberg on Feb 28, 2010
Each moment is infinitely wondrous. What seems like an obtuse spiritual concept at first Can, with practice and meditation Become quite accessible. The result can be almost hallucinatory. Why do you think the most advanced sages Often sound like they’re on drugs? Beneath the surface talk of chakras and energy flows And kundalini rising and [...]
476 views
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Avatar: Why You Must See It!
by John Joseph on Feb 28, 2010
If you haven’t seen Avatar, you must – preferably in an IMAX theater. It’s Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Star Trek all rolled into one. Although I don’t think we’ll be able to transmit our beings through high tech crypts into the android form of an indigenous extraterrestrial by the year 2154, the [...]
178 views
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Bill Maher don’t know Buddhism. {Tiger Woods}
by John Pappas on Feb 27, 2010
ed’s note of context: Bill Maher just wrote a funny blog on Huff Post about Tiger Woods and his Buddhist path. Problem: Bill Maher has little effing idea what he’s talking about when it comes to Buddhism. If we Buddhists were more dogmatic, we’d burn him on a cross. Only, we’re not, and we don’t [...]
2,765 views
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A Tale of self-discovery, yoga, culture and spirituality: Elizabeth Gillbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love”
by Farnoosh Brock on Feb 27, 2010
Travels to Italy, India and Indonesia. A tale of self-discovery and love.
1,110 views
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Cancers can re-seed themselves after chemo, surgery or radiation: what we can do.
by William Harryman on Feb 27, 2010
This story sounds bad—and it is—but it is not new information in the cancer research world. I’ll explain below. Cancers can re-seed themselves after chemo, surgery or radiation Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by: Ethan A. Huff (NaturalNews) Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York have published findings in the journal Cell that [...]
1,028 views
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Earthquake in Chile Update.
by John Pappas on Feb 27, 2010
Update and how to help! 700+ dead with 2 million effected The devastating aftereffects of the earthquake in Chile Saturday morning is still being felt as the toll reached 708 on Sunday and expected to rise. Some of the worst hit areas in the Southern portion of Chile are being hit with more than just [...]
452 views
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John Yoo, Torture, and the Law.
by Nathan Smith on Feb 26, 2010
Moral, political and legal implications of the Margolis memo. I can’t see much to like about John Yoo. I think he should be fired from Berkeley. But maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps he’s just the most intellectually-gifted defender of some of the most extreme and morally repulsive aspects of US law, as Clive Crook suggests. Recently, [...]
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Top 10 warning signs that Twitter has gone to the Dalai Lama’s Head!
by John Pappas on Feb 26, 2010
Following the Dalai Lama? Watch out. We’ve all heard and are quite excited about the Dalai Lama being on Twitter…but we need to, in these fledgling days of His Holiness’ venture into social media, keep an eye on our favorite refugee religious leader. The Dalai Lama’s account, set up by his office in India, features [...]
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Hot Dog 101.
by Waylon Lewis on Feb 26, 2010
Jonathan Safran Foer: “one thing all farmers say they wouldn’t eat is hot dogs.” Like hot dogs? So did I, most of my life. Yummy! The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Jonathan Safran Foer www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Skate Expectations If you’re gonna eat ‘em, cool, get hot:
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What could be more ’70s than Queen + bicycle + cocaine + gratuitous nudity?
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Queen + gratuitous female nudity = Greatest Bicycle Video of All-Time. I want to ride my Bicycle, I want to ride my Bike. I want to ride my Bicycle I want to ride it where I Like. This video—this thing—this artifact of the late 70s (early 80s?) is so…the lyrics so simple, childlike, random and [...]
10,325 views
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For some reason, in the late 70s, there was a sudden influx of 13-year-old boys into the newly popular sport of cycling.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Farrah Fawcett, in a popular cycling poster of the late 70s. Via the Whoah.
1,585 views
Comments 4
Face Fur Lineage.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Beautiful. I wish our web site had that old-timey elegant humorous simplicity. Via Boing Boing via Watermark. [slide]
299 views
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Vegan or Carnivore?
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Funny how meat eaters think they’re macho ’cause they do their hunting in the aisles of a grocery store, or on a menu. How’s that make you tough, exactly? Via, yes, The Whoah.
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Ow.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Mindfulness isn’t spiritual. It’s practical.
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How to get the girl.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Samsara works: Dating. Image via the Whoah. Depends how you define “Works” or “Happiness,” but the above is funny because, sadly, it’s so often true. How often? Well, see above: about 80% of the time. Be loud, charming, brash…girls love you. Be sincere, gentlemanly…they don’t return your call. Still, as my friend Dave Rogers says, [...]
524 views
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When I’m 65.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Ripped from The Whoah, with kudos.
107 views
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Favorite new site to waste this precious human birth with: The Whoa.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
The Whoa. Want to laugh 30 times about 30 different things, and say goodbye to three hours of your life? You’re welcome. I ran across The Whoa last night, and…all I gotta say is, when it comes to random funny hip interesting funny again blogs, it’s wifey. [slide] ~ ~ Tons of random awesome videos [...]
3,839 views
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WTF Yoga.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Awesome song. Other than that, I have no idea what to say about this one other than… Enjoy: Thanks to my fave site of the mo, The Whoah.
651 views
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Jax’s Oyster-eating Competition Sucks (Pun Intended) ~ Elleni Cladis
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 26, 2010
Update: The oysters are from sustainable farms. Not wild-harvested. From brackish river mouth estuaries, not the ocean. Jax supports and funds the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which is trying to eliminate wild oyster harvests and set those farmers up with sustainable practices. Additionally, Jax has taken all fish/seafood products on the national watchlist off their menus [...]
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Updated: Elephants Stampede London
by Waylon Lewis on Feb 26, 2010
The Elephant Parade London – the making of Phoolan. I want to do this in Boulder, Colorado, my hometown. elephant statues everywhere, designed by local artists! How do we do it? Update: The second part of the film is now available, revealing the making of Phoolan: In May over 250 resin elephants will hit the [...]
349 views
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I’ve Got a Yoga/Meditation Crush on Patrick Reynolds!
by Gwen Bell on Feb 26, 2010
More than a decade ago I met wellness instructor Patrick Reynolds. Like me, he was an undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill. (Unlike me, he finished his undergrad in three years, instead of four). Patrick was a charming Creative Writing minor with a penchant for espresso and the Japanese language. He wrote stories and generally bumbled about. [...]
1,384 views
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Quick cash? Not so much.
by New Era News on Feb 25, 2010
Did you know there are more payday lending storefronts than McDonalds and Starbucks combined in Colorado? Yup.
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Guns in National Parks: America’s Latest Great Idea? An Excellent WTF Video.
by Anna Brones on Feb 25, 2010
As of this week, a federal law allows you the right to carry firearms in many national parks and wildlife refuges. Although the new law does not not change hunting regulations, nor the use of firearms in these areas, the idea of enjoying the beautiful scenery of a national park with gun in hand is [...]
558 views
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Sorry, Macho Men with Small…no more Hummers.
by Waylon Lewis on Feb 25, 2010
Hummers may have been the love ‘em (macho) or hate ‘em (eco-responsibility) symbol of American excess, but…in the end, no one bought ‘em. Via NYT: Mr. Richards said Hummer dealers in the United States had about 2,500 vehicles in their inventories. In January, the brand sold just 265 units in the country. Hummer sales plunged [...]
519 views
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A Week of Eating In?!
by Anna Brones on Feb 25, 2010
The Week of Eating In. It sounds so homey and cozy; seven whole days of browsing recipes, cooking up new creations and spending time with family and friends around the kitchen table. Wait one second — we need an official, designated week to do these things? Sure, this Week of Eating In, sponsored by the [...]
404 views
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Boulder, Colorado named Happiest City in the US.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 24, 2010
Yes! Woohoo! I’m psyched! That’s just what I, as a citizen of Boulder, Colorado, say when waking up each morning. As for this latest honor, I can practically guarantee it won’t even make water cooler talk at offices around Boulder. Why? Photo link to Bob Carmichael’s work here. Because, of course, we already knew Boulder [...]
3,826 views
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Photo of the Day: BKS Iyengar.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 24, 2010
The below photo was captured at a Yoga Journal Conference. BKS Iyengar, a father of modern yoga, was caught checking out the Yoga Journal blog! For much, much more great stuff, check out Susan Mernit.
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Larry King’s full interview with Dalai Lama: re Obama, Tiger Woods, Tibet, China, Haiti.
by Waylon Lewis on Feb 24, 2010
This may be the first at-length interview in English I’ve ever seen re: topical subjects. Worth taking the time to watch, listen, learn, soak in this great good, happy “Simple Monk” and his views. On Tibet and China: “Actually, we are not seeking independence. We complain the present policy in Tibet. It is actually very [...]
2,121 views
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Brit Hume of Fox: poor Tiger Woods “will have to do his best with what’s he’s got.”
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 24, 2010
Egads, just when our Nation turns its sickened eyes elsewhere, TigerGate comes rrroaring back into view: Brit Hume still thinks Tiger Woods should leave Buddhism, would be “lot farther” along if was Christian. Via Huff Post. “I think, because I’m a Christian and I believe that Christianity is true, that Tiger Woods and his wife [...]
219 views
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elephant journal reviews: Blue Canoe Organic.
by Pam Uhlenkamp on Feb 24, 2010
Blue Canoe: I fell in love with Blue Canoe a few years ago at the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park. I bought a couple pieces, in classic blue, at a discount…and ended up wearing them all the time. Years later, believe it or not, they are still…blue! And the fabric is still like new. [...]
1,076 views
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Why I heart The Yoga Workshop, Richard Freeman’s yoga studio in Boulder, Colorado.
by Waylon Lewis on Feb 24, 2010
Yesterday I went with my friend Kate and my dear friend/columnist Peggy Markel and my longtime advisor buddy John Cargile, from Denver, to the Yoga Workshop’s noon class. About five minutes in, I couldn’t remember how my shoulders should be turning, and since alignment is vital to safety and to getting the benefits of any [...]
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Why Knitting Addicts Yarn for Yoga.
by Cora Wen on Feb 24, 2010
Okay, so I admit it…I am a junkie. I’m currently in Toronto teaching Yoga and there is the most amazing Yarn store here – Romni Yarns…full of plush, soft, yummy, furry hang spun, hand dyed yarns from across Canada. It is one of my favourite Knit stores in Americas. But I can’t go in there. [...]
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Budweiser is made with GMO rice? True, true.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 23, 2010
Budweiser: no longer All-American… …is now made with genetically-modified rice. Oh, and it’s shipped long distances, isn’t particularly fresh, and tastes like a shadow of real beer. What a deal! Via Greenpeace, and with thanks for the tip to our friends at Wend: “…Independent research shows that Budweiser beer contains genetically engineered rice varieties that [...]
1,298 views
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An Elephant for Elephant.
by Erin King on Feb 23, 2010
A few weeks ago, Waylon approached me at elephant’s Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Open Wall event, where I had a painting on display, and asked if I would be interested in blogging for elephant on topics of art and culture. Initially hesitant, due to my lackluster writing style, Waylon reassured me this would be [...]
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Are we a Lost Generation? Then let’s Reverse it. {Amazing video, share if so inspired.}
by Waylon Lewis on Feb 23, 2010
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver When I was young, I used to frequently complain that our generation didn’t feel a moving ethos, that idealism mixed with arrogance that young people traditionally express when they look at the state of the world they [...]
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A Bodhisattva Meditation for Cultivating Loving Compassion for the Self
by Lasara Allen on Feb 23, 2010
The one responsibility of the bodhisattva is to not cause suffering. The one commitment of the bodhisattva is to love all beings pervading space and time, regardless of any beings ability to return, or even receive, that love. We’ve all been in situations where we have offered love to someone unwilling to return that love [...]
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Twinkies have Beef in Them.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 23, 2010
There’s an awesomely simple site called Visual Ingredients. Here’s what a yummy-as-heaven-when-you’re-a-kid Twinkie looks like: Here’s the complete ingredient list: Enriched Wheat Flour (enriched with ferrous sulfate (iron), B vitamins (niacin, thiamine mononitrate [B1], riboflavin [B2] and folic acid)) Sugar Corn syrup Water High fructose corn syrup Vegetable and/or animal shortening (containing one or more [...]
1,197 views
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Jared Diamond: Is There Room for Mindfulness in Social Science? ~ Kelsi Coia
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 22, 2010
Recently, I was lucky enough to attend the Aspen Writer’s Foundation’s Winter Words series lecture featuring Jared Diamond. A dear friend of mine/employer/guardian angel offered me one of her extra tickets because she knows I am a geography super-fan and I have never seen Mr. Diamond speak before. If you didn’t know already, Jared Diamond [...]
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Become a Follower of the Dalai Lama…on Twitter.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 22, 2010
Follow away, elephant readers! And spread the word. This one’s for real.
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The Economic Hit Man has a message for young people. But Boulder kids have already heard it.
by Caroline Clark on Feb 22, 2010
John Perkins, the (former) Economic Hitman Last week, the University of Colorado’s Model United Nations brought Economic Hitman, John Perkins back to Boulder to address the students on what we do today. The author of bestselling Confessions of an Economic Hit Man faced murmurs of controversy in the crowd. After all, he made big money [...]
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Hipster Puppies.
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 22, 2010
Sites we recommend: Hipster Puppies! Hipster Puppies: too cool for Doggie School. We here at goody-goody elephantjournal are always jealous of blogs (like Hipster Porn or Unhappy Hipsters) that get tons of traffic by posting one gaddamned photo (often plus one charming caption) a day. Here are a few random highlights of Hipster Puppies‘ geniusly [...]
2,034 views
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Brazil will meet energy demand without emitting more carbon—but displace thousands of people in the process?
by Caroline Clark on Feb 22, 2010
Solutions for the world’s problems sure are tricky! If you’ve been following the development of Brazil in recent years, you may be aware that this massive South American country has witnessed incredible economic growth. It is posed to become a major international player as it seeks a permanent spot on the UN Security Council and [...]
200 views
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Helping Haiti in lieu of an Extravagant Wedding. ~ Jennifer Pastiloff
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 22, 2010
The Marriage of two different Cultures: one in Need, one in a place to Give. I was never one of those girls that sat home and cut out pictures from BRIDE Magazine or planned my big white wedding. Maybe because my father died when I was eight, and I was worried no one would walk [...]
1,958 views
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I Like (nice) Men With Shiny Shoes. ~ Claire Flannery
by elephantjournal.com on Feb 22, 2010
In the past few months in my travels I have had to deal with missed flights, standby’s, extremely overpriced tickets and snotty airline employees. I’ve spent 12 hours at an airport, hoping I could get on the next flight and get to my destination. Yes I’ve met people on planes during these stressful experiences but [...]
258 views
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