How you feel the world impacts how you see it

From MIT news:

"In the classic waterfall illusion, if you stare at the downward motion of a waterfall for some period of time, stationary objects -- such as rocks -- appear to drift upward. MIT neuroscientists have found that this phenomenon, called motion aftereffect, occurs not only in our visual perception but also in our tactile perception, and that these senses actually influence one another. Put another way, how you feel the world can actually change how you see it -- and vice versa."

Gnosticism vs Agnosticism vs Theism vs Atheism (image)

Now that I'm 30 years old...

I turned 30 on April 5, 2009. Here is a list of thoughts for the occasion:

• Life is a great mystery and has no significance until you give it meaning. Embrace your free will but seek wise advice.


• While you are young: travel, fall in love, make mistakes and be foolish. As you grow older you will have more to loose and be reluctant to take risks.


• Voluntarily live in poverty for a period of time. You'll never take anything for granted again.


• Recognize the the limitations of your own mind which has been habituated by culture. Strive to overcome these limitations by continually exposing yourself to new ideas and experiences.


• You will discover your strengths by continually pushing your limits. Along the way you'll also discover your weaknesses; accept them and those of others.


• Regularly contemplate death. The more you accept the temporal nature of all things, the more you'll appreciate the beauty of life in the present moment--that's really all we have.