Tag Archives: youtube

We need evidence.

Tonight, while watching a video of ISIS destroying 3000 year old artifacts in Mosul, Iraq, I found myself feeling sickened, wondering in what world could these actions possibly be justified? And the only thing I can conclude is that rationally, they cannot. I think the most common anti-science argument that I encounter is that it can be tailored for an agenda, or that the same evidence can look different in different context or from different views. Honestly, at this point I hardly have enough composure to put together a rational post, so please forgive me. I’m tired of war. I’m tired of senseless violence and people dying over cosmic entities and nationalism. There is no way the actions of ISIS can be justified without the use of a cosmic excuse. And yet, all the good in the world can be easily justified by science, by altruism and reciprocation without implementing arguments from faith. We cannot simultaneously excuse our own irrational beliefs and condemn those of another group. We need evidence for our actions. There’s no way around it.

Abandonment of a metaphor

Last night I watched a documentary on the 2004 Tsunami that killed 250,000 people. The whole scene was absolutely horrifying. I watched as tourists obliviously videoed the receding waters from the shoreline. The beaches became exposed for hundreds of yards, luring people out onto the alien landscape. It was a sight no one had ever seen before and no one was aware of what was happening. To them it was a tide and the landscape was beautiful in its barren rockiness. But soon after, they saw the wall of water heading towards them. Some still stood on the beach watching the wall approach from a mile away, seemingly slow and graceful, but picking up force as it reached shallower water.

Continue reading Abandonment of a metaphor

Songs that…

Here are some playlists I have made over the past week or so. I have listened to all these songs so many times it would drive anyone else insane and they still produce the same feelings for me. Some I have known for years, some for weeks. But they all are very special for some reason or another. So I figured I would make a playlist to attempt to summarize the overwhelming feelings each one gives me eveytime I listen. It is not surprising that some artists have produced a couple of songs I feel are worthy for these playlists.

Understanding my knowledge of the music world is very limited, I still do feel these songs came to me for a reason. Most of them are free to listen to on youtube or myspace if you desire sampling.

Songs that make me feel alive

“Passing By”- Zero 7

“Mad World”- Gary Jules

“Requiem for a Tower”- Clint Mansell

“Teardrop” and “Angel”- Massive Attack

“Prophecies” and “Opening” -Philip Glass

“Something So Right” -Paul Simon

“How it Ends” and “The Last Beat of my Heart”-Devotchka

“Where are you Going?” -Dave Matthews Band

“New Slang” -The Shins

“Clay Pigeons” -John Prine

“The Ballad of Love and Hate” -The Avett Brothers

“The End to…” -Holy Ghost Tent Revival

“16…Maybe Less” -Iron and Wine

“Two Boys” -The Itchy Hearts

“The Simplest Thing” -Hey Rosetta!

“Gassenhauer” -Carl Orff

Songs that make me happy

“Happy Happy” -Spookie Daly Pride

“No Rain” -Blind Melon

“Stir it Up”- Bob Marley

Songs that say “I ain’t happy” but still make me happy

“Clint Eastwood”- Gorillaz

Songs that I run to

“The Modern Age” -The Strokes

“Vagabond” -Wolfmother

“The Middle” -Jimmy Eat World

“Taper Jean Girl” -Kings of Leon

“Flagpole Sitta” -Harvey Danger

“Very Loud” -Shout out Louds

“Fortunate Son” -Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” -The Verve

“Lex” -Ratatat

“Black Betty” – Ram Jam

Songs that I like but probably shouldn’t because I wouldn’t want to get caught listening to them by anyone…

“Thugz Mansion” -Tupac

“Don’t Know Why” Norah Jones

“Everything’s Not Lost” -Coldplay

“I Love my Sex” -Benny Benassi

“Strict Machine” -Goldfrapp

Songs that make me sad

“Hung my Head” -Johnny Cash

“Sleep” -The Dandy Warhols

Songs that creep me out

“And I thought my Jokes were Bad” -Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard

“House of the Rising Sun” -Animals

to be continued,

Grayson Cobb