I even love people who don't agree with me about stuff.  

Despite that, I cannot understand how so many people go around being willfully ignorant.  The very idea of not having curiosity in your soul is frightening to me.

Now, when I say "I cannot understand", what I really mean is that I can't grasp the mindset on an empathetic level.  I understand the cognitive and sociological reasons behind it, it's just that the very mindset is alien to me, unlike the mindset of people who disagree with me on myriad other issues.

Sixty-two percent of Americans now say they believe that global warming is happening, but 46 percent say they are “very sure” or “extremely sure” that it is not. Only 49 percent know why it is occurring, and about as many say they’re not worried about it

People with negative feelings toward climate change seek out more information
Sixty-two percent of Americans now say they believe that global warming is happening, but 46 percent say they are “very sure” or “extremely sure” that it is not. Only 49 percent know why it is occu…

Originally posted on Google+ · May 15, 2013

Originally posted on Google+ · May 14, 2013

A real-time world map showing where users are from who make edits to Wikipedia, as well as which article they're editing.

Hatnote Recent Changes Map
A map of recent contributions to Wikipedia from unregistered users.

Originally posted on Google+ · May 13, 2013

In conclusion, a signal is a method of conveying information among not-necessarily-trustworthy parties by performing an action which is more likely or less costly if the information is true than if it is not true. Because signals are often costly, they can sometimes lead to a depressing waste of resources, but in other cases they may be the only way to believably convey important information.

Originally posted on Google+ · May 13, 2013

According to some proponents of signaling theory (e.g. Robin Hanson), much (most?) behavior can be attributed to signaling.

"What's signaling mean?", you ask?  Here's my armchair explanation of my favored version of the theory.

When you chose the outfit you're wearing, when you pick a vehicle to own, when you vote for a candidate, when you voice an opinion, when you choose a career, or when you name your child, you did it largely because you "want" to signal to others that you're the type of person who would do those things, for various fitness and social (of course social reasons are fitness reasons) reasons.  In other words, you want to signal that you belong to Group X because you do the same things Group X does.

The common explanation for behaviors and choices is that you like those behaviors and choices so you act in that manner.  In my opinion this feeling of liking something is an abstraction of a deeper, and more firmly rooted, signaling explanation.

Signalling theory – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Within evolutionary biology, signalling theory is a body of theoretical work examining communication between individuals. The central question is when organisms with conflicting interests should be expected to communicate honestly (no presumption being made of conscious intention) rather than …

Originally posted on Google+ · May 13, 2013

These are some pretty amazing satellite timelapse images of different areas of the planet over the past 30 years.

Stunning Satellite Images of Earth | TIME.com
Exclusive timelapse: See climate change, deforestation and urban sprawl unfold as Earth evolves over 30 years.

Originally posted on Google+ · May 9, 2013

Originally posted on Google+ · May 6, 2013

Not a photoshop: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/05/killer-whale-flips-dolphin/all/1

Originally posted on Google+ · May 6, 2013

Mathematical prediction models are better than doctors at predicting the outcomes and responses of lung cancer patients to treatment, according to new research presented today (Saturday) at the 2nd Forum of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO).

This is the sort of thing that's only going to be happening more and more often.

Mathematical models out-perform doctors in predicting cancer patients’ responses to treatment
Mathematical prediction models are better than doctors at predicting the outcomes and responses of lung cancer patients to treatment, according to new research presented on Saturday at the 2nd Forum o…

Originally posted on Google+ · May 6, 2013

Reshared post from Kaj Sotala

Nice brief overview of the five theses that give reason to be worried about advanced AI.

Machine Intelligence Research Institute | Five theses, two lemmas, and a couple of strategic implications
MIRI’s primary concern about self-improving AI isn’t so much that it might be created by ‘bad’ actors rather than ‘good’ actors in the global sphere; rather most of our concern is in remedying the sit…

Originally posted on Google+ · May 6, 2013