The Limits of Empathy
David Brooks describes in the NY Times his key lessons from reading Steven Pinker’s new book.
We are surrounded by people trying to make the world a better place. Peace activists bring enemies together so they can get to know one another and feel each other’s pain. School leaders try to attract a diverse set of 
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video platformTwo Lovers
I had not seen the poster for the film because otherwise I would have noticed that Two Lovers is not about two people. During the film you realize it is about at least 3, possible 4 people, who are trying to figure out who they want to be with. We all know that this is 
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[Read More] Irene shuts down NYC
By SAMANTHA GROSS and LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press reports.
NEW YORK—The normally bustling streets emptied out and the rumble of the subways came to a stop.
New York buttoned up Saturday against Hurricane Irene, which threatened to paralyze Wall Street and give the big city its worst thrashing from a storm since at least the 1980s.
City 
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[Read More] Broken Embraces
Pedro Almadovar surprises you again with Broken Embraces. Unlike Woody Allen who now makes the same movie over and over again, Almadovar in all his recent films has broken new ground in his quest to lay bare before our eyes the variety in the human experience. During the first hour I wondered where the film 
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[Read More] Great Short Film: “Storm”
Had this on my “To-see list” and finally got to it. It is quite aggressive as the title already suggests. But who can deny the creativity behind it!
Origins of the debt showdown
Here is another good account of the drama behind the debt showdown by the Washington Post.
In mid-January, newly installed as the GOP House majority leader, Virginia’s Eric Cantor rose to the podium inside a spacious hotel ballroom to deliver a message to his troops, including the 87 newcomers who had given the party control of 
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