Mentatul

Month: August 2016

  • Ott – Owl Stretching Time

    Ott – Owl Stretching Time

    There were strange sounds coming from within the beatbox. The Ear approached and, with a greedy grin, attached itself to the musical device. Absorbing Ott’s delicious sound nectar, the Ear was getting closer to ecstasy minute after minute.

    The music was chasing imagination over the Mountains of Impossible and Ear was delighted. Owl was stretching time so that Ear could cross the Valley of the Infinite in just a few seconds. Finally, Ear found the magic key and this is where words finally reach the end of their usefulness.

    You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Ott’s album :).

    https://ottsonic.bandcamp.com/track/owl-stretching-time^

    YouTube (decent quality):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE9VlxPtFk0

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE9VlxPtFk0^

    For Spotify Users (high quality):

    https://open.spotify.com/track/4FMAqVGjYVX9Q3esIWsm20^

    For Deezer Users (high quality):

    http://www.deezer.com/track/23164051^

    [ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/00916-OttMir-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Ott – Owl Stretching Time’ desc=’The music was chasing imagination over the Mountains of Impossible and Ear was delighted.’]

  • About Those Animals Again

    About Those Animals Again

    Recent studies show that ducks may be capable of abstract thinking. Scientists have reached this conclusion after hatching about a hundred ducklings and playing shape games with them while they were imprisoned in an enclosure:

    www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0714/Ducks-might-be-capable-of-abstract-thought-say-scientists^

    The fact that we’re the dominant species on this planet certainly has its perks. I suppose it would also be just fine if a race of curious aliens starts taking our babies away and make them crawl after floating spheres and cubes in order to examine how their curiosity develops.

    Oh, did you know we’re able to hatch chicks without eggshells?

    http://www.snopes.com/chicks-hatched-without-eggshell/^

    Wouldn’t it be great if those aliens would start to populate our planet with babies grown in grocery bags with tubes rather than a mother’s womb? Do you think those children would turn out smarter and perhaps less merciless than we are?

    And last but not least, here’s one last bitter pill for the day:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/worlds-saddest-zoo-grandview-aquarium_us_578c8b3be4b03fc3ee514af2^

    Congratulations brothers and sisters, both for causing this and for fighting against it. Sarcasm doesn’t go well with optimism, does it?

    Sharkasm
    Sharkasm

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  • Enya – Orinoco Flow

    Enya – Orinoco Flow

    There are very few songs of which you can say “oldie but Goldie” with as much satisfaction. This beautiful musical poem was released at the end of the 80s and topped the charts in more than a few countries. True to its name, the melody flows like few others. With its excellent production values and clever use of reverb, this song was way ahead of its time – and this makes it as actual today as it was 30 years ago.

    Surprisingly, the same can be said about the video, which uses simple graphical techniques that look beautiful even in the 21st century. Good job Enya & crew!

    “From the north to the south, Ebudae into Khartoum,
    From the deep sea of clouds to the island of the moon,
    Carry me on the waves to the land I’ve never been,
    Carry me on the waves to the lands I’ve never seen.”

    YouTube (decent quality):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zkjQVh5KmQ^

    YouTube (original video, poor quality sound):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg1t56JucE4^

    For Spotify Users (high quality):

    https://open.spotify.com/track/4bQNusmmVudLxIiexglzh6^

    For Deezer Users (high quality):

    http://www.deezer.com/track/14685717^

    [ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/00898-EnyaWatermark-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Enya – Orinoco Flow’ desc=’With its excellent production values and clever use of reverb, this song was way ahead of its time – and this makes it as actual today as it was 30 years ago.’]

  • Is Yoga Really an Entry Drug to Buddhism?

    Is Yoga Really an Entry Drug to Buddhism?

    Among the strangest things I’ve read lately is how a group of (Christian) parents prevented yoga exercises from being taught at a Swedish school. Among others, the motivation was that the exercises might tamper with their children’s religious beliefs:

    http://www.thelocal.se/20160427/swedish-parents-block-gateway-yoga-exercises^

    Fairness champion Sweden interdicts religious interference in schools. However, yoga is tied to Buddhism the same way fasting is tied to Christianity or Islam (not at all). Yoga and fasting are disciplines that test the body and mind. Both practices have been proven time and again to be beneficial. And while fasting requires a careful understanding of one’s biorhythms, yoga is a readily available for improving one’s body, balance, physical and mental discipline.

    One parent is quoted as saying: “Yoga is used by Buddhists as a form of meditation. We don’t know what it might lead to.” Maybe the person could be informed that it could lead to less violence^. How can anybody have a problem with meditation? Meditation is inherently non-religious and Buddhism itself is not a religion. It could perhaps be considered a religion of no religion. It’s scientific spirituality and encourages experimentation and a personal understanding of spiritual matters.

    It’s sad that people aren’t well educated at all when it comes to other cultures. Maybe it’s natural to fear what you don’t know, but these things are actually quite easy to get to know and understand. But then again, the educational system that is used in constructing the foundations of our society has serious issues.

    How can we expect to live in a healthy society when most children are put through a schooling system that encourages obedience, conformity and competition? There are no lessons in school about empathy and compassion.

    Children are discouraged from challenging the authority of their parents and their leaders. They’re treated as second the class citizens of an adult family so it’s no surprise one of the first things they do in life is to discriminate between themselves and others. In the same time, they’re conditioned to think that being a leader is something reserved to an entirely different class of people.

    Nature vs Culture
    Nature vs Culture

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  • Kaminanda – Ritual Ecologies

    Kaminanda – Ritual Ecologies

    It’s not easy to make good quality psybient music. If the beat is too alert, the atmosphere is ruined. If the melody is too slow or simple, then it definitely isn’t psy. Among the few artists that do psybient right, Kaminanda is one of the most promising. This song flows perfectly and relentlessly. Give it a listen and let the music play your mental drums.

    You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Kaminanda’s album :).

    https://kaminanda.bandcamp.com/track/ritual-ecologies^

    YouTube (decent quality):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSkFfhJmOoA^

    For Spotify Users (high quality):

    https://open.spotify.com/track/6OnBwsUFnAQjwZDaJVIX1Q^

    For Deezer Users (high quality):

    http://www.deezer.com/track/22960251^

    [ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/00887-KaminandaGatewaysOfConsciousness-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Kaminanda – Ritual Ecologies’ desc=’This song flows perfectly and relentlessly. Give it a listen and let the music play your mental drums.’]

  • Some of Today’s Overpriced Tech Products

    Some of Today’s Overpriced Tech Products

    It’s full of overpriced devices out there. Here’s a short list of shame that I’ve compiled during years of reading hardware & technology news.

    Lenovo PCs – they’ve took over IBM’s high quality laptop business and proceeded to thoroughly exploit it. Almost all competing brands offer a lower price for identical hardware configurations. Dell, another high quality manufacturer is also among these competitors (and unlike Lenovo, they’re much more upfront with drivers & servicing manuals, both of which are available online). Did I mention that Lenovo was recently involved in a major spyware scandal^?

    Razer – oh no, it’s those guys who try to make their devices seem more capable or expensive by adding fancy LED lighting and cool logos. Razer’s gaming laptop is nice but overpriced, so is most of their product catalog. What’s worse is that the company also has lots of quality issues^. Admittedly, Razer has innovated quite a bit in the past decade, so at least they’re putting the money to (some) good use.

    Any top CPU or GPU model – unless you’re swimming in money, don’t buy the fastest CPU or GPU. Their price-performance ratios are terrible (around twice the price for just 50% extra bang). Always buy mid-range or mid-to-high-range, unless you urgently and imperatively need everything you can get and are sure you will fully exploit it.

    Oculus Rift – despite being cheaper than the competing Vive, the Rift comes with no special VR-designed controllers and lacks room-scale (the ability to track the position of the player’s body). Oculus controllers will only come out in Q4 2016 and the platform will probably continue to lack room-scale. Add to this a rather arrogant approach to cross-platform compatibility and you got a product that definitely needs some additional time to mature.  For those that want to get into VR, I recommend the Vive. This is a completely unbiased recommendation since I do not own either of them, nor do I intend to buy anything just yet.

    What about Apple? Their products are indeed over-priced, but this is at least partially justified. The quality of Apple hardware is among the highest I’ve ever seen. The software is highly optimized so that it requires fewer resources. This is especially important when it comes to mobile devices. Apple devices have impressive battery life. The company also deserves credit for currently having the highest standard in terms of privacy and security for its customers. All things considered, with Apple, you get what you pay for. And no, I do not own any single Apple product, being a long-time PC / Android user.

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  • Au4 – In Three Seconds I’ll Be Gone

    Au4 – In Three Seconds I’ll Be Gone

    “Here’s a story about a girl I once loved
    And I’d still love her if she was still around.”

    Groovy, beautifully constructed, powerful and diverse, this melody showcases fascinating vocal synergy and witty lyrics. Prepare for an unleashing of samples, synthesizers and traditional rock instruments, all of it supporting his and her voice.

    This song comes from one of the best rock albums I’ve heard in the past few years. There are some impressive lyrical gems scattered through Au4’s “And Down Goes The Sky”. I highly recommend listening to the entire album, especially since it’s freely available on the artist’s website!

    “Oh when I came here I was lost and forgotten
    Until then the sun rose in the dawn.
    And I just meant to stay forever here running
    But in three seconds I’ll be gone.

    And I can’t remember my name. It’s forgotten,
    And they all told me I was wrong.
    ‘Cause I just meant to stay forever here loving
    But in three seconds I’ll be gone.”

    You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists.

    https://au4music.bandcamp.com/track/in-three-seconds-ill-be-gone^

    However, if you’d like to contribute to the artist, then go to their website and donate (like I did). You can also download both of their albums for free:

    http://www.au4.ca/^

    YouTube (decent quality):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSDEL0O2hj4^

    For Spotify Users (high quality):

    https://open.spotify.com/track/3gdjZKN6J5elAypgRJ5kXm^

    For Deezer Users (high quality):

    http://www.deezer.com/track/81830938^

    [ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/00876-Au4AndDownGoesTheSky-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Au4 – In Three Seconds I’ll Be Gone’ desc=’Groovy, beautifully constructed, powerful and diverse, this melody showcases fascinating vocal synergy and witty lyrics.’]

  • Flight MH17 Was Indeed Downed By A Russian Rocket

    Flight MH17 Was Indeed Downed By A Russian Rocket

    It took a couple of years, but finally the Dutch have completed their investigation concerning the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The plane crashed in Ukraine during the Russian intervention there a bit over two years ago. There were no survivors:

    http://www.businessinsider.com/animation-of-mh17-hit-with-buk-missile-2016-7^

    Here’s a video too, by the Dutch Safety Board^.

    Surprise! Not…

    [ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/00868-FlightMH17-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Flight MH17 Was Indeed Downed By A Russian Rocket’ desc=’It took a couple of years, but finally the Dutch have completed their investigation concerning the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.’]

  • Desert Dwellers – Lotus Heart (Kalya Scintilla Remix)

    Desert Dwellers – Lotus Heart (Kalya Scintilla Remix)

    This is what happens when two psybient titans collaborate. This song is chilled-out and in the same time body-moving. Behind this multilayered masterpiece there is a distinct mystical feeling, so… here’s a little magic to bless the week with.

    I’ve featured both Desert Dwellers and Kalya Scintilla before and if you like what you hear, make sure you check Bluetech and Kaminanda out as well. Good listening gear, eyes closed highly recommended.

    You can listen to the song for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Kalya Scintilla’s album :).

    https://kalyascintilla.bandcamp.com/track/desert-dwellers-lotus-heart-kalya-scintilla-remix^

    YouTube (decent quality):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74QUCexN21M

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74QUCexN21M^

    For Spotify Users (high quality):

    http://open.spotify.com/track/2xeqYuX5XIz7Ilp3HTqnkA^

    For Deezer Users (high quality):

    http://www.deezer.com/track/69065507^

    This Weekly Song entry has been brought from the FaceBook archive of Weekly Song^. This project was originally started through a FaceBook page, about 13 months prior to launching Mentatul. Slowly but surely, the entire FaceBook archive will be brought here.

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  • These Mobile Homes Are Awesome

    These Mobile Homes Are Awesome

    One day, when I grow older, I’d like to roam the cities of Earth and enjoy the diversity and beauty of the 21st century society (hopefully things will be better than they are today). I always thought that a motor-home is a good idea to do this. However, the engine would lie unused for long periods of time and the sewage requires a lot of maintenance. Not to mention that any reasonably priced motor-home is also quite small.

    So then how about a detachable apartment?

    https://www.facebook.com/CollectiveEvolutionPage/videos/1887653478127712/^

    You come, you visit and then you take the daily truck, moving you to wherever you wish. While being transported, you sit in your comfortable home, doing whatever you wish to do.

    [ax_meta lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/00846-TheseMobileHomesAreAwesome-Thumb.jpg’ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’These Mobile Homes Are Awesome’ desc=’How about a detachable apartment? You come, you visit and then you take the daily truck, moving you to wherever you wish.’]