Vague connections: humanity and sweethearts in 7/8

"She heard my footsteps approaching in the corridor and found them intriguing. (I have a vague memory that I ran down the corridor in 7/8 time.)" -Richard Stallman

http://stallman.org/articles/childhood-sweetheart.html

It's odd though, there exists a research paper I despise, even if only for its title ("The Dark Side of Creativity: Biological Vulnerability and Negative Emotions Lead to Greater Artistic Creativity") which I think of frequently, and I suspect it ties closely to influence on Melynda Reid's work and artistry.  If anything one's creativity in this context indicates the breadth and depth of their capacity to experience and convey humanity.  However, it's unfortunate and sombering to recognize real stories about others who really struggle with keeping brighter moments in mind and sometimes, the stories of their lives don't capture the moments when they make it to the next peak.

The video above is a mind-blowing adaptation of a Macedonian love song adapted for two cellists on one cello.  If you're not taken by watching them play, watching their bows is like realizing how related rates in calculus work.  Coincidentally, the tune is also in 7/8 meter, much like Stallman's footsteps!

Shallow connections: Military and Powerpoint

I'm preparing a presentation for my senior capstone project on meaningful education through sustainability and participatory approaches in higher education.  I came across these gems in pondering alternatives to a powerpoint {I refuse to capitalize the "p"s for proper brand recognition} presentation:

( http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/books_pp )

Why yes, even the U.S. military is guarded about powerpoints:

"A recent reference in the New York Times indicates the U.S. Army is close to declaring war on PowerPoint. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who heads U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, told the Times, 'It’s dangerous because it can create the illusion of understanding and the illusion of control. Some problems in the world are not bullet-izable.' "

 ( http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/instructionaldesign/2010/05/25/nonlinear-presentations-alternatives-to-%E2%80%9Cdeath-by-powerpoint%E2%80%9D/ )

Note how this person likens powerpoint presentations to a crime scene--bodies strewn everywhere and an abundance of bullets:
http://prezi.com/nwo0v98wquco/msu-prezi-demo/