Metafilter linked to a video critiquing the “new math” taught in elementary school.

Interesting stuff. I was brought up using the “traditional” algorithm, rather than the methods taught by TERC. Nowadays I usually use Excel formulas to calculate out numbers, but agree that the traditional algorithm provides the most solid foundation for learning simple calculation.

Posting this video for later, in case I ever need to send someone a smile and/or rot their teeth with pure sugary cuteness.

In this video, singer/songwriter Feist discusses the nature of alpha and beta waves.  The interviewer asks why she hasn’t had a TV in over a decade, and she mentions active thought (reading books) vs. passive thought (absorbing TV signals).

Some quick research on Google brought up this information (bolding mine):

 There are four categories of these brainwaves, ranging from the most activity to the least activity. When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities, it generates beta waves. These beta waves are of relatively low amplitude, and are the fastest of the four different brainwaves. The frequency of beta waves ranges from 15 to 40 cycles a second. Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind. A person in active conversation would be in beta. A debater would be in high beta. A person making a speech, or a teacher, or a talk show host would all be in beta when they are engaged in their work.

The Brainwaves

The next brainwave category in order of frequency is alpha. Where beta represented arousal, alpha represents non-arousal. Alpha brainwaves are slower, and higher in amplitude. Their frequency ranges from 9 to 14 cycles per second. A person who has completed a task and sits down to rest is often in an alpha state. A person who takes time out to reflect or meditate is usually in an alpha state. A person who takes a break from a conference and walks in the garden is often in an alpha state.

The next state, theta brainwaves, are typically of even greater amplitude and slower frequency. This frequency range is normally between 5 and 8 cycles a second. A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a theta brainwave state. A person who is driving on a freeway, and discovers that they can’t recall the last five miles, is often in a theta state–induced by the process of freeway driving. The repetitious nature of that form of driving compared to a country road would differentiate a theta state and a beta state in order to perform the driving task safely.

Individuals who do a lot of freeway driving often get good ideas during those periods when they are in theta. Individuals who run outdoors often are in the state of mental relaxation that is slower than alpha and when in theta, they are prone to a flow of ideas. This can also occur in the shower or tub or even while shaving or brushing your hair. It is a state where tasks become so automatic that you can mentally disengage from them. The ideation that can take place during the theta state is often free flow and occurs without censorship or guilt. It is typically a very positive mental state.

The final brainwave state is delta. Here the brainwaves are of the greatest amplitude and slowest frequency. They typically center around a range of 1.5 to 4 cycles per second. They never go down to zero because that would mean that you were brain dead. But, deep dreamless sleep would take you down to the lowest frequency. Typically, 2 to 3 cycles a second.

Full article at: http://www.web-us.com/brainwavesfunction.htm

Intriguing – this is a good way to think about the mental activities going on during the day.  It sounds like the “ideal” state is to generate beta waves, use theta waves while relaxing, and minimize theta waves.

The new iPod nano commercial shows a video from “Feist,” shown in its entirety below:

What a great video and concept – setting up the expectation of a dance number, and then surprising expectations through camera moves and seamless choreography.

And now, the glorious beginning to every Notre Dame game, with the band ready to charge the field:

Notre Dame band from Jobriga and Vimeo.

Uploaded to my new Vimeo account. Vimeo is well posed to overtake YouTube and Google as the video site of choice – the videos come out cleaner, and there are WAY more options for customization.