Deutsch on Uniqueness and Knowledge in the Universe

Here's another fascinating TEDTalk, this time from physicist David Deutsch, who examines the question of what is typical and not typical about humanity in the universe, and shows the connection between the mathematical properties of the universe and our minds. Recorded in 2005 in the U.K. About 20 minutes.

Shermer on Critical Thinking

Here's a fun twenty minute video from the always interesting TEDBlog.com and TEDTalks featuring Michael Shermer of Skeptic magazine, who demonstrates the importance of critical thinking. This video has been around for a while, but my blog has not. Hence, I'm posting a link to it now that I've thought of it.

I don't endorse Shermer's entire worldview, which is atheist and naturalist, but he is clearly a sharp mind worth listening to. My favorite part is about the alleged satanic lyrics in the backwards Led Zeppelin songs.