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Ah, How Great to Face You Again in This Upside Down World!

Well, upside down is certainly subjective. Hard to say if the earthworms, philodendrons, and dust mites are saying to themselves, “Wow, I knew times were a-changing, but not to this degree!”

I just know what I sense. Run through the filter of my experience and genetics. To reach a conclusion that lines up with my beliefs and adheres to my cognitive biases. From my vantage point?

Every day there's another nasty curveball which leaves me craving human connection!


This is one of the conundrums of living a unique, adventurous life.

On the one hand, you simply must march to the beat of a different drummer. You must DIY. You must choose the path less not traveled.

That is how you take advantage of your singular, precious existence.

And yet, we are human. We are social creatures. We are healthy, strong, and more joyful when we connect with others. Even the shyest people like hugs. “Hell is other people” couldn’t be further from the truth.

But like attracts like. If you’re doing your own thing, connecting might need a bit more finesse. 


All this is prelude to a paradigm bomb. 

I don’t know how much longer I have till California burns, parches, or quakes. So I’m going to make some changes. Fun, fascinating ones, to be sure - the kind that put me right on the edge between excitement and fear. 

But I’ll do so to better connect with you. And with others. I'm turning on the burners to serve up a delicious feast! 

Stay tuned.

Living out loud like a rocket fueled with laughing gas,
Sean
 

NETWORK
A “Book” 


I’m not sharing a book review. Because I haven’t read this book. Then again, this book isn’t really meant to be read - not in the traditional sense. It’s more a “series of experiments that test our ability to simultaneously perceive more than one medium, or to interpret more than one ambiguous image.” Produced (it’s difficult to say “written by”) Chilean electronic musician Nicholas Jaar, Network includes optical illusions, free-verse text, and words arranged like numbers on a spreadsheet, which makes the book like an “analog internet”.  This goes deep. And wide. And unusual everywhere. You don’t read this book, you experience it. On my Xmas list! :: Read about it here.
 

 JOSE LUIS CONTRERAS-VIDAL
Neuroaesthetics Researcher 

 
Across the spectrum from science to art, there are endless ways to think differently. But it’s only recently that the two have been connected - to better understand how art affects the brain and, ultimately, to know ourselves better. As a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Houston, Dr. Contreras-Vidal has been studying the burgeoning field of neuroaesthetics. For example, dance and theatre stimulate our desire to experience intense emotions together as a form of social cohesion. A “neural rush” is triggered that highlights our need for narrative, movement, and more. Making art and experiencing art are giant pieces of life candy. Now it can be scientifically proven. :: Read this post. | Check out this video introduction.
 

EMPOWERING GIRLS WITH HUMOR


In an age of #MeToo, Gamergate, and the continuing workplace discrepancies between women and men, it seems wholly necessary to give girls every tool available for self-empowerment. In particular, the tool of titters. A sixth sense is useful, but a sense of humor? That conveys intelligence, confidence, and social ease. In fact, according to a new Wharton business school study, it can mean respect, influence, and admiration. It’s also an age where comedians (and comediennes, natch) are seen as the new truth-tellers, using the funny stuff to help us interpret the world without fake news finger-pointing. Let’s give the women of tomorrow the keys to the funny bone and help them thrive. :: Read this article.
 

MOHÁCS, HUNGARY
Busójárás Festival


It’s no shocker that Halloween holds a special place in every Headspanky heart, affording everyone the opportunity to dress up and act out of the ordinary. But it ain’t the only game in town. February in Hungary brings out weird, handmade masks and shaggy wool coats to scare the winter away. (Why they don't start in November is a good question.) Lasting six days, the event includes consuming fruit brandy and setting a straw man aflame. Burning Man, eat your heart out? :: See the photo essay.
 

GET FIT AS A POODLE


Poodles are trim. Poodles are energetic. Poodles are beautiful. This is a poodle parody of Susan Powter’s exercise video. But if you take your poodle pride to the gym, I won’t judge. ::  See the video.
 

What photo via Nicholas Jaar/Printed Matter | Who screengrab gif via UH Cullen College of Engineering​ | Where photo via Alamy Stock Photo | Treats screengrab gif via vinylboy20

If I missed any attributions, let me know and I'd be happy to update!
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Copyright © 2017 Sean Perlmutter / Headspank, All rights reserved.


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