Derren Brown's Blog, page 91

Breathtaking Photographs: Visions of Earth

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Each month, National Geographic magazine features breathtaking photographs in Visions of Earth. Browse through visions of the world as seen through a photographer's eye.

Head over to National Geographic to see the amazing collection. (Thanks @XxLadyClaireXx)

Why Does God Reveal Himself to Some People and Not to Others?

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"Doesn't it seem likely that the reason all of us can't see God is because there is no God?

If God exists… why isn't his existence obvious?

And is "free will" a good answer to this question?

A few weeks ago, in this very publication, I posed the question, "Why did God create atheists?" If God reveals himself to religious believers, in visions or revelations or other spiritual experiences… why doesn't he do it with everyone? Why are those revelations so contradictory — not to mention so...

Lady Sues Google Over Their Directions

"Pedestrian Lauren Rosenberg, who was injured by a motorist whilst following Google Maps direction which she had downloaded, has a lawsuit seeking more than $100,000 (£68,000) in the US District Court in Utah against Google claiming that they had supplied unsafe directions. The lawsuit also names the motorist which hit her.

Although this case has become a talking point across the internet and on many blogs and forums, with many critics blaming the woman for ignoring her own safety to follow...

Florida church to hold Quran-burning

"Following in the tradition of bigots everywhere, a Florida church is preparing to hold a book-burning. Not just any book; the Quran.

Dove World Outreach Center is a non-denominational evangelical church in Gainesville, Florida. They have announced a special celebration of the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks . . . something that will show Christian love, reduce hatred between people of different religions, and lead toward greater understanding around the world. Or not.

Dove will host...

Faith healing in Oregon: A picture worth a thousand words

"We've talked long enough about faith healing in Oregon. We've shared countless earnest conversations about religious liberty and parental rights.

The time for words is over. Now it's time for pictures.

Another couple from the Followers of Christ church in Oregon City stand accused of criminal mistreatment for deliberately withholding medical care from their child. Timothy and Rebecca Wyland of Beavercreek believe in treating sickness with prayer rather than medicine, even when prayer doesn't w...

Sitting, even after workout, can cut lifespan

"A new study debunks the theory that an hour of exercise a day is all you need to live a long life. Turns out, people who spend more time sitting during their leisure time have an increased risk of death, regardless of daily exercise.

American Cancer Society researchers tracked the activity levels and death rates in more than 123,000 healthy men and women for 13 years. They found women who spend over six hours a day sitting during leisure time (watching TV, playing games, surfing the web...

Invisibility Cloak Made of Glass

"From Tolkien's ring of power in The Lord of the Rings to Star Trek's Romulans, who could make their warships disappear from view, from Harry Potter's magical cloak to the garment that makes players vanish in the video game classic Dungeons and Dragons, the power to turn someone or something invisible has fascinated mankind. But who ever thought that a scientist at Michigan Technological University would be serious about building a working invisibility cloak?

That's exactly what Elena...

Aircraft runs on algae biofuel

"EADS demonstrated the flight of an aircraft powered by biofuel made from algae at the Farnborough Airshow yesterday.

One of the two Austro Engine AE300 engines of the EADS demonstrator Diamond Aircraft DA42 New Generation was powered by specially grown and refined algae biofuel. The other was fuelled by normal diesel.

According to EADS, the aircraft has, as of now, been only certified by European aviation officials to fly with one engine powered by biofuel.

Jean Botti, chief technical officer ...

We're happier when busy but our instinct is for idleness

"Forced to wait for fifteen minutes at the airport luggage carousel leaves many of us miserable and irritated. Yet if we'd spent the same waiting time walking to the carousel we'd be far happier. That's according to Christopher Hsee and colleagues, who say we're happier when busy but that unfortunately our instinct is for idleness. Unless we have a reason for being active we choose to do nothing – an evolutionary vestige that ensures we conserve energy.

Consider Hsee's first study. His team...

Pope To Be Protected From Arrest On UK Visit

"The Government has moved to prevent the possibility of an arrest warrant being issued against the Pope during his state visit this autumn.

Sky News understands that Whitehall officials have been "seriously concerned" that campaigners would use international criminal rules to try to detain the Pontiff while he is in the UK. Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC were among those campaigners reported to be looking at the options for bringing a...