The practice of meditation is represented by the three monkeys, who cover their eyes, ears and mouths so as to avoid the phenomenal world. The practice of non-meditation is ceasing to be the see-er, hearer or speaker while eyes, ears and mouths are fulfilling their function in daily life. Open Secret by Wei Wu Wei...

This post was originally published on Think Progress.
Tomorrow, conservatives from around the country will converge at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which serves as a “showcase of the heart and soul of American conservatism.” The Washington Scene reports that this year’s CPAC willprominently feature a Nancy Pelosi piñata and a Harry Reid punching bag for guests to take turns beating:

GOPer Tom Tancredo suggests "literacy test" to protect America from presidents like Obama -- a segregation-era method employed by southern US states to keep blacks from voting.

WORLD FOREX: Euro Sinks As Oil Plunges On Drop In Risk Demand

The euro fell against the dollar midday Friday in New York as a slump in oil prices further erased demand for riskier assets at a time of growing investor anxiety over deteriorating finances of some European countries.

The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a trade-weighted basket of currencies, jumped to its highest level since July, while the euro sank to a fresh eight-month low against the dollar, with the common currency dipping briefly below $1.36.

The sharp decline in oil prices is feeding additional pressure on the currency markets, said Marc Chandler, global head of foreign exchange at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York. "It's a vicious cycle that hasn't been broken."

Oil fell nearly 4%, while silver and gold prices also dropped.

Marcellus Coalition Posts Facts on Flowback Water Treatment

"The industry currently treats or recycles all of its flowback water. Recycling accounts for approximately 60 percent of the water used to complete Marcellus Shale wells, with greater percentages predicted for the future. There are more than a dozen approved water treatment facilities available to treat flowback water, with plans for additional capacity in the future.

I am certainly no expert on Constitutional Law, although one of my current training clients is (and we have discussed this, so I know I am not totally out in left field), but I am absolutely sure that the framers of the Constitution never envisioned "personhood" for corporations. Hell, I doubt they envisioned corporations at all.

I find it interesting that there were so many opinions in favor of the ruling, each claiming an originalist stance. It seems that all but Justice Kennedy's official opinion were in rebuttal to Justice Stevens' brilliant and fierce dissent.

In my view, corporations are NOT people, therefore are NOT citizens, and therefore do NOT have First Amendment protections.

Further, the ruling closed all loop-holes to challenging the money=speech theory, which the Court no doubt planned in making this case more broad (of their own accord) than the plaintiff had presented it.

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[ Filed under More or in the Furnishings category ]

Wall stickers and decorative decals have made a comeback – but most stick flat and function-free to surfaces. Like a series of optical illusions come to life, these are more than just forms on the walls … they are also working, interactive furnishings and household fixtures.

The designers at PEGA clearly enjoyed this artistic exploration process. The vintage fold-out gramophone plays real music when a nearly two-dimensional flush panel is pushed below the speaker horn. The retro lamp lights up and casts an actual shadow against the wall. The perfume bottle emits a scent with squeezed, just like its antique predecessor.

Speaker: Al Kaszniak

Al begins by giving the audience a preview of his talk, stating that he will be exploring the self and selflessness through research involving individuals with neurological illness. Specifically, he will be discussing the way in which neurological diseases such as Alzheimer and alien limb can alter self-awareness. According to Al, this research sheds light on the way in which the self is constructed and has many implications for Buddhist practice.

Speaker: John Dunne

John Dunne focuses on the history of selflessness in Buddhism while covering various Buddhist philosophies such as the Abidharma, Nargarjuna and Yogacara. John weaves in entertaining anecdotes as he explores the self as object, and later as subject.

I get asked a lot about being a woman in technology and its various niches--social media, open source, entrepreneurship, blogging. Interviewers want to know whether or not things are getting better for women, why there aren't more women here or there, what women should or shouldn't be doing, and what the future holds for those of us in tech who happen to have the XX chromosome. When I get these questions, I never know what to say. Being a woman doesn't make me an expert on gender. I can only draw from my own subjective experiences during what's been a very charmed career. But folks keep asking. So, here's my official line on the topic, which I sent off to an interviewer just this week.

In both offline and online life, women are more visible, respected, and accomplished than they've ever been before. At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, I believe now is a golden time for women in technology, a time when an awareness of the need for diversity in our field is at its highest. Conference organizers, editors, journalists, and CTOs are desperate to get knowledgeable women onto their speaker rosters, mastheads, source lists, and staff. (I know, because they ask me!) There are many opportunities for those of us who don't look like Bill Gates, but it's up to us to make ourselves visible, eligible, and take them.