This week I found listed on eBay an iPod nano first generation (4gb) that the seller reported as broken.  It was experiencing (can I use that word for an electrical device?) the famous infinite reset loop problem.  This is when the iPod won't boot, asks to be reset in iTunes, and after being reset simply asks to go through the entire process again.  I thought I'd have a go at fixing it, if I could get it for a good price.

There was quite an interesting protest in Brisbane today by animal rights activists campaigning at the world poultry congress.  I don't think I need to articulate the exact concerns of the various animal liberation activists as the response from the Australian Chicken Federation (ACF) is much more interesting.

Dr. Dubs of the ACF claims that up to eighteen chickens reside in each square meter of factory farm.  The total quantity of animals allowed in a given square meter, in this case chicken's, is set by "industry standards".  Dr. Dubs states that eighteen chickens per square meter of factory farm is below this "industry standard" and, I would guess, this makes it OK to farm chickens in the way we do - in factory farms.

Well the title was nearly neatly alliterated.  Anyhow, the following video should appeal to all you Aussie philosophers who don't mind a drink - I assume that's all of you -.

This Saturday is Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi, an auspicious day within the Vaisnava calendar where we Vaisnavas fast from everything, including water, from sunrise to sunrise.  I'm often asked about Ekadasi, especially Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi, so the following is a short outline for those who don't know.  This will be quite long so do be patient.

This is an excerpt describing the phenomena of Ekadasi from the Padma Purana, "Kriya-sagara-sara".

The Philosophy of Mind is an area that I'm quite interested in.  Last year I studied a course by the same name (Philosophy of Mind) which I found fascinating.  I wasn't quite sure where I stood before I started the course, and, to be honest, I'm not that certain where I stand after the course too.  I was, however, attracted to the philosophy of Ned Block.

Disclaimer: If you haven't seen Fight Club then DO NOT READ THIS PAPER.  In this paper I discuss concepts that aren't revealed until the end of the film.