April 2009 Archives

The common traits of wisdom appear to follow a universal path in the brain, according to a recent study conducted by Dr. Dilip V. Jeste of the department of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. Wisdom appears to be more than a subjective concept, but may actually be contained in certain brain circuits and pathways, suggests Dr. Jeste (any relation to David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest?), who compiled the first-ever review of the neurobiology of wisdom. He contends that this type of research could potentially lead to interventions for enhancing wisdom. It's widely agreed that wisdom includes six traits: empathy, compassion, altruism, self-understanding, emotional stability and pro-social attitudes, such as a tolerance for others' values, according to background information in a news release about the study.

"The strangest monument in America looms over a barren knoll in northeastern Georgia. Five massive slabs of polished granite rise out of the earth in a star pattern. The rocks are each 16 feet tall, with four of them weighing more than 20 tons apiece. Together they support a 25,000-pound capstone. Approaching the edifice, it's hard not to think immediately of England's Stonehenge or possibly the ominous monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Built in 1980, these pale gray rocks are quietly awaiting the end of the world as we know it."
So begins an article in Wired about an American oddity. It goes on . . .

Hundreds of George Harrison's biggest fans and best friends, including Paul McCartney and Tom Petty, turned out to see a star unveiled during a raucous celebration on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 14. Incense smoke snaked into the air during the dedication. "He was a beautiful, mystical man living in a material world," Olivia Harrison said of her late husband. Standing next to her, his son, Dhani Harrison, uttered the mantra "Hare Krishna."

Fellow former Beatle McCartney stood next to Olivia and Dhani, as the star was unveiled in front of the landmark Capitol Records building. "Thank you very much!" he yelled to hundreds of screaming fans wearing Beatles T-shirts and holding signs, albums and flowers to honor Harrison. The only other surviving member of the band, Ringo Starr, did not attend. Harrison already shared a Walk of Fame star with all of the Beatles, but only he and John Lennon have their own stars.

At the Pesach Seder at the Kabbalah Centre in Manhattan, the relatively modest dining area was packed with at least 300 people, although nowhere near the 2,000 said to be attending the seder in San Diego with Karen and Rav Berg, who founded the Kabbalah Centre and have built it into an international organization focused on teaching the universal truth of Kabbalah to non-Jews and Jews alike. Still, during the "connection" service that preceded the communal meal, there was Lucy Liu in the front row on the women's side of the congregation. I didn't even notice her, dressed in demure ninja black, until my new friend Leo pointed her out to me. Leo's a jazz drummer from Philly who now lives in New Jersey and comes down for the occasional Shabbat or holiday service. As in Orthodox and Conservative synagogues and most mosques, the men and women were seated separately, the men all in white, except for the occasional pair of tan Dockers or Yankees cap in lieu of a yarmulke, the women mainly in black but with no special dress code.