there there, li'l bear

the times when i have no time to waste are the times when i waste time the most.

so today, in the midst of writing my past-due dissertation, i made a mix.  because apparently every time i have a stupid idea in the shower, i just run with it.

and here it is: all of the songs start with numbers, and none of the numbers can be spelled out (they actually have to be numerals).  i think it turned out reasonably well, considering.

you can click here to listen (it’s an 8tracks link so all of the stuff is gonna be out of order after the first listen…but it’s better than nothing; and you can download using the link below if it doesn’t disappear too soon).

track listing:

1. doves - 10:03
2. phantom planet - 1st things 1st
3. broken social scene - 7/4 (shoreline)
4. foals - 2 trees
5. kevin devine - 11-17
6. grandaddy - 12-pak-599
7. starflyer 59 - 20 dollar bills
8. discover america - 1986
9. colour revolt - 8 years (live at daytrotter)
10. azure ray - 4th of july
11. denison witmer - 24 turned 25
12. baby baby - $20
13. pinback - 3X0
14. modest mouse - 3rd planet
15. el obo - 2night
16. elliott smith - 2:45 am
17. alexi murdoch - 12

click here or on the picture to download.

…and remember: 20 dollar bills will never change your life.

Apparently I’m responsible for the most read Scientific American story of 2012.  That’s cool, right?

Click here if you want to read it.

i’m writing another piece for SciAm.  this one is for the print edition, and it’s about how we’re all becoming one with the internet.  it’s proving to be a pretty tough job, but i think it’s gonna be the best one yet…stay tuned?

(also, i just really like the picture)

(it’s from a related article in the New York Times by my advisor—click here to check it out)

take an hour or so and read this article about language, consciousness, and terrorism from last month’s new yorker, k?  you won’t regret it.

(joshua foer | utopian for beginners)

…if this isn’t the most thumbs-upped thing i’ve ever posted to facebook, i don’t what is.

(sup, karolle?)

why yes, i did buy a vintage dissecting kit recently.

why?  or why not?

(hamilton bell | early 1930s)

What brings a man back to tumblr after more than a month?  Shameless self-promotion, I guess.

I just wrote this piece for Scientific American about whether or not men and women can be “just friends.”  I originally wanted to just copy the screenplay of When Harry Met Sally, but apparently that wasn’t okay.

I also wrote this one a while back, about depression and internet use.

Check ‘em out?

li’l bear | fall 2012 (the end)

a new mix!  this one is kindof weird because i started it yesterday morning when it was cold and rainy, then finished it last night when it was hot and humid.  in any event, i fear that summer is ending.  and quickly.

tracks:
robby owen hale - front porch song one (live on a front porch)
black rebel motorcycle club - devil’s waitin’
brave baby - days of our youth
desert noises - highway cars
peter wolf crier - beach
colour revolt - 8 years (live at daytrotter)
damien jurado - nothing is the news (demo version)
des ark - some are love
shovels and rope - kitchen hallway (live at daytrotter)
rejectioneers - buried treasure (intermission)
starflyer 59 - just try
right away, great captain - i wait for you
all get out - bring it home
toro y moi - miss ya
the can’t kids - gimme a grab
clues - you have my eyes now
marry a thief - old enough
the strokes - i’ll try anything once
those lavender whales - family trees share their leaves
eels - things the grandchildren should know

i didn’t realize it at the time, but there’s a pretty solid southern influence here…12/20, by my count (robby owen hale, brave baby, colour revolt, des ark, shovels and rope, rejectioneers, right away great captain, all get out, toro y moi, the can’t kids, marry a thief, and those lavender whales).  probably because we make the best music.

click here or on the picture to download.  and make sure to sort by “album by artist.”

enjoy?  enjoy!