David Lynch fans, here you go. Below (and added to our YouTube playlist), we have Lynch’s anti-litÂterÂing pubÂlic serÂvice announceÂment that has a fairÂly high creepiÂness facÂtor. He’s actuÂalÂly not new to the world of comÂmerÂcials. This site colÂlects Lynch’s preÂviÂous comÂmerÂcial work, startÂing with his 1988 series of Calvin Klein ObsesÂsion ads that played on the work of F. Scott FitzgerÂald, Ernest HemÂingÂway, and D.H. Lawrence. And, while we’re at it, let’s not forÂget Lynch’s recent anti-iPhone spot, which is usuÂalÂly good for a laugh.
Are politÂiÂcal attack ads such a bad thing? John G. Geer, author of In Defense of NegÂaÂtivÂiÂty: Attack Ads in PresÂiÂdenÂtial CamÂpaigns, doesn’t necÂesÂsarÂiÂly think so. He mainÂtains that they often enrich, rather than corÂrode, the politÂiÂcal process. And now his pubÂlishÂer has assemÂbled The Attack Ad Hall of Fame. IncludÂed on the list is the most famous/controversial one — the “Daisy ad” from the 1964 JohnÂson-GoldÂwaÂter camÂpaign. JohnÂson’s ad, which was only aired once, nevÂer menÂtioned GoldÂwaÂter by name, but it raised fears about whether GoldÂwaÂter might bring us to the nuclear brink. For more ads, see the MuseÂum of the MovÂing Image, and watch Geer himÂself get swift-boatÂed on YouTube.
In response to ChiÂna’s vigÂorÂous crackÂdown on Tibet (see this phoÂtoÂjourÂnalÂism account), a group of experts were conÂvened to disÂcuss Tibet and its future. The panÂelists includÂed Robert ThurÂman (famed BudÂdhism scholÂar at ColumÂbia UniÂverÂsiÂty), John KenÂneth Knaus (HarÂvard UniÂverÂsiÂty), John Tkacik (Senior Research FelÂlow at The HerÂitage FounÂdaÂtion), and Amit A. Pandya (HenÂry L. StimÂson CenÂter). You can lisÂten in on the disÂcusÂsion here — MP3 — iTunes — Web Site.
On a relatÂed note, ChiÂna shut down YouTube durÂing its Tibetan crackÂdown, offerÂing proof of a simÂple point made in MIT’s TechÂnolÂoÂgy Review: “Web 2.0 tools can seem at times like vehiÂcles for the self-absorbed, but the fear that they inspire in oppresÂsive govÂernÂments is a powÂerÂful demonÂstraÂtion of how useÂful and vital they can be.”
This week, UC BerkeÂley proÂfesÂsor Paul Duguid squared off in a debate with provoÂcaÂteur Andrew Keen (author of the flimÂsy bestÂseller, The Cult of AmaÂteur). At issue here is the quesÂtion: “Is the Web 2.0 a Threat to Our CulÂture?” How did the well-attendÂed debate go? Have a lisÂten here and see phoÂtos here.
Below we have an outÂtake from one of the earÂliÂest rock mockÂuÂmenÂtaries, which paved the way for the venÂerÂaÂble This is Spinal Tap. Co-proÂduced by Eric Idle (MonÂty Python) and Lorne Michaels (SatÂurÂday Night Live), “All You Need is Cash” traced the career of “The RutÂles,” whose resemÂblance to The BeaÂtÂles was “pureÂly – and satirÂiÂcalÂly – intenÂtionÂal.” The show aired in 1978 and scored low ratÂings, though some fans still defend it.
Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the futurÂist and sciÂence ficÂtion writer most well known for his novÂel 2001: A Space Odyssey, has passed away. (You can read his obit here.) Below, we have postÂed a video recordÂed last DecemÂber for his 90th birthÂday. TouchÂing in many ways, the video offers a good reminder of how much our world changed durÂing his 90 years.
This bit of audio (MP3 — Feed — Web Site) lucidÂly explains what hapÂpened at Bear Stearns, and why the Fed actÂed as it did. It’s worth a good lisÂten if you’ve been tryÂing to piece togethÂer the logÂic. The audio comes from the News Hour with Jim Lehrer.
On a less seriÂous note, we also have a video that explains the credÂit criÂsis with the help of a counÂtry music jinÂgle. More astute viewÂers will note the name of the singer, MerÂle HazÂard, is an alluÂsion to the conÂcept of “moral hazÂard” that’s menÂtioned in the audio above.
Here’s what you get when Google engiÂneers put their heads togethÂer with astronomers from large obserÂvaÂtoÂries: With Google Sky, “you can search for planÂets, lisÂten to Earth & Sky podÂcasts, watch some beauÂtiÂful HubÂble teleÂscope images, or explore hisÂtorÂiÂcal maps of the sky from the comÂfort of your browsÂer.” The prodÂuct was rolled out just last week, and you can get more info on the new release from Google’s offiÂcial blog.
The new Sky prodÂuct sits comÂfortÂably alongÂside Google Moon and Google Mars, which have been around since 2005–2006. CreÂatÂed in conÂjuncÂtion with sciÂenÂtists at the NASA Ames Research CenÂter, Google Moon offers a colÂlecÂtion of lunar maps and charts and delves into the ApolÂlo misÂsions. The Mars prodÂuct, meanÂwhile, offers some of the most detailed existÂing maps of the red planÂet.
Below, we have gathÂered togethÂer some of the most intelÂliÂgent video colÂlecÂtions on YouTube. A great place to find culÂturÂalÂly enrichÂing video…
The MidÂdle EastÂern news serÂvice, which has genÂerÂatÂed its share of conÂtroÂverÂsy, now airs broadÂcasts in EngÂlish and presents them here.
The leadÂing human rights orgaÂniÂzaÂtion brings you varÂiÂous videos outÂlinÂing human rights conÂcerns across the globe, and the work they’re doing to improve conÂdiÂtions.
Artists Space supÂports conÂtemÂpoÂrary artists workÂing in the visuÂal arts, video and elecÂtronÂic media, perÂforÂmance, archiÂtecÂture and design, and it proÂmotes artisÂtic experÂiÂmenÂtaÂtion and diaÂlog in conÂtemÂpoÂrary culÂture.
Bad AstronÂoÂmy is devotÂed to debunkÂing myths and misÂconÂcepÂtions about astronÂoÂmy, and also to slap down withÂout apolÂoÂgy bad thinkÂing in all its forms.
A series of videos proÂmotÂing proÂgrams comÂing out of Britain’s main media outÂlet. UnforÂtuÂnateÂly many of these videos are short and not entireÂly subÂstanÂtive. A missed opporÂtuÂniÂty.
The BFI (British Film InstiÂtute) proÂmotes underÂstandÂing and appreÂciÂaÂtion of Britain’s rich film and teleÂviÂsion herÂitage and culÂture. And it claims to have the “world’s largest and most diverse film and TV archive.”
CinetÂic brings audiÂences the latÂest, greatÂest and clasÂsic fesÂtiÂval favorites from around the globe. From award-winÂners by vetÂerÂan filmÂmakÂers to up-and-comÂing talÂent telling new stoÂries, CinetÂic prides itself on being at the foreÂfront of qualÂiÂty indie film in the digÂiÂtal space.
Videos highÂlightÂing the art colÂlecÂtion, pubÂlic proÂgrams, and temÂpoÂrary exhiÂbiÂtions at The MuseÂum of ModÂern Art in New York City.
Videos and vodÂcasts covÂerÂing sciÂence, techÂnolÂoÂgy, space, the enviÂronÂment and a whole lot more. An interÂnaÂtionÂal team of expert jourÂnalÂists brings you the latÂest innoÂvaÂtions and ideas in sciÂence and techÂnolÂoÂgy, from the wonÂderÂful to the worÂryÂing to the weird.
The offiÂcial chanÂnel of the AcadÂeÂmy of Motion PicÂture Arts and SciÂences is the only place to relive favorite Oscar® moments and see excluÂsive interÂviews with the talÂentÂed film proÂfesÂsionÂals who comÂprise the AcadÂeÂmy memÂberÂship. Includes some good vinÂtage clips.
The Pulitzer CenÂter on CriÂsis ReportÂing’s misÂsion is to proÂmote in-depth covÂerÂage of interÂnaÂtionÂal affairs, focusÂing on topÂics that have been under-reportÂed, mis-reportÂed — or not reportÂed at all.
SciÂenÂCenÂtral, Inc. proÂduces sciÂence and techÂnolÂoÂgy conÂtent for teleÂviÂsion, video, and the web. From broadÂcast news feaÂtures to eduÂcaÂtionÂal prodÂucts, they covÂer the medÂical, enviÂronÂmenÂtal, and techÂnoÂlogÂiÂcal issues that affect daiÂly life.
Roger Ebert calls it one of the richÂest resources on YouTube. SpoÂken Verse offers over 400 readÂings of great poems in EngÂlish, from ShakeÂspeare to today.
This chanÂnel proÂvides a rare glimpse into the MuseÂum’s exhiÂbiÂtions, sciÂenÂtifÂic research, pubÂlic proÂgrams and eduÂcaÂtionÂal endeavÂors. Videos preÂsentÂed by the MuseÂum highÂlight its globÂal misÂsion to advance sciÂenÂtifÂic disÂcovÂery and increase underÂstandÂing of nature and human culÂtures.
Videos comÂing out of the nation’s oldÂest and largest pubÂlic affairs forum, preÂsentÂing topÂics rangÂing across polÂiÂtics, culÂture, and sociÂety.
The ComÂmon Craft Show is a series of short explanaÂtoÂry videos by Lee and Sachi LeFever. The goal is to fight comÂplexÂiÂty with simÂple tools and plain lanÂguage.
Every year, globÂal leadÂers attend the World EcoÂnomÂic Forum in Davos, SwitzerÂland to disÂcuss how to betÂter the world. Here you get to see what they have to say.
This chanÂnel feaÂtures over 800 videos that will teach stuÂdents the ins and outs of algeÂbra, geomÂeÂtry, trigonomÂeÂtry, calÂcuÂlus, staÂtisÂtics, finance, physics, ecoÂnomÂics and more. The clips have been recordÂed by Salman Khan.
TimeÂless treaÂsures and conÂtemÂpoÂrary preÂsenÂtaÂtions from the Library of ConÂgress in WashÂingÂton, D.C. FeaÂtures recordÂings datÂing from the earÂliÂest EdiÂson films to the present.
The Real News NetÂwork is a globÂal online video news netÂwork that lisÂtens to and is depenÂdent soleÂly on its audiÂence. No ads. No govÂernÂment subÂsiÂdies. No corÂpoÂrate sponÂsorÂship.
Based out of the UniÂverÂsiÂty of WashÂingÂton, the ResearchChanÂnel brings togethÂer conÂtent from leadÂing research and acaÂdÂeÂmÂic instiÂtuÂtions.
ProÂvidÂed by YouTube itself, this colÂlecÂtion presents high qualÂiÂty, indeÂpenÂdent films to web users and promisÂes to roll out four new films every two weeks.
YouTube now hosts a series of comÂplete stuÂdio movies on its site. Above, I’ve linked you directÂly to the documentary/biography secÂtion. But feel free to peruse the largÂer colÂlecÂtion. You’ll find some good films there.
In the spirÂit of ideas worth spreadÂing, TEDx is a proÂgram of local, self-orgaÂnized events that bring peoÂple togethÂer to share a TED-like expeÂriÂence.
The World EcoÂnomÂic Forum is an indeÂpenÂdent interÂnaÂtionÂal orgaÂniÂzaÂtion comÂmitÂted to improvÂing the state of the world by engagÂing leadÂers in partÂnerÂships to shape globÂal, regionÂal and indusÂtry agenÂdas.
ConÂtainÂing the world’s largest reposÂiÂtoÂry of inforÂmaÂtion on the HoloÂcaust, Yad Vashem is a leader in HoloÂcaust eduÂcaÂtion, comÂmemÂoÂraÂtion, research and docÂuÂmenÂtaÂtion.
YouTube got a lot more intelÂliÂgent when it launched YouTube EDU, a secÂtion of the site that cenÂtralÂizes all of its educational/academic conÂtent. This is the best place to start if you’re lookÂing for lecÂtures and coursÂes.
Arguably the most subÂstanÂtive YouTube colÂlecÂtion out there. FeaÂtures a large numÂber of free coursÂes, plus numerÂous lecÂtures givÂen by imporÂtant figÂures.
HarÂvard was late to the Web 2.0 parÂty, but they finalÂly have their chanÂnel up on YouTube, and it conÂtains some worthÂwhile conÂtent, includÂing Michael Sandel’s famous course on JusÂtice.
PreÂsentÂed by the leadÂing techÂnolÂoÂgy instiÂtutes in India, this colÂlecÂtion feaÂtures more than 50 free coursÂes. ObviÂousÂly has a strong technology/engineering bent.
Hard to sepÂaÂrate the intelÂlecÂtuÂal subÂstance from videos that have a more proÂmoÂtionÂal & interÂnal bent. But some of the forÂmer is there to be found.
Rather interÂnalÂly focused. Not much in the way of eduÂcaÂtionÂal conÂtent per se. But let’s keep our finÂgers crossed that it evenÂtuÂalÂly offers more.
The Open UniÂverÂsiÂty (OU) is the UnitÂed KingÂdom’s only uniÂverÂsiÂty dedÂiÂcatÂed to disÂtance learnÂing. Some of the more eduÂcaÂtionÂal videos can befound here.
UCTV pulls togethÂer videos from the camÂpusÂes, nationÂal labÂoÂraÂtoÂries, and affilÂiÂatÂed instiÂtuÂtions of the UniÂverÂsiÂty of CalÂiÂforÂnia.
A nice uniÂverÂsiÂty-sponÂsored project, this colÂlecÂtion feaÂtures a video about each eleÂment on the periÂodÂic table. A handy thing for chemÂistry stuÂdents.
UCSF, one of the leadÂing medÂical schools in the US, feaÂtures videos that will “eduÂcate patients, careÂgivers and health proÂfesÂsionÂals about the varÂiÂous forms of neuÂrodeÂgenÂerÂaÂtive disÂeases.” The disÂeases covÂered here include Alzheimer’s, FronÂtotemÂpoÂral demenÂtia and Creutzfelt-Jakob
Here’s a new, free course from StanÂford UniÂverÂsiÂty. Taught by James SheeÂhan, the HisÂtoÂry of the InterÂnaÂtionÂal SysÂtem (iTunes) offers a hisÂtorÂiÂcal view of interÂnaÂtionÂal polÂiÂtics in the 20th cenÂtuÂry, explorÂing how interÂnaÂtionÂal playÂers have attemptÂed to project their will and proÂtect their interÂests, all while negoÂtiÂatÂing fluÂid and not always manÂageÂable exterÂnal forces. The course looks back at comÂmuÂnism, fasÂcism and libÂerÂalÂism, then moves through the Cold War to the present day, and ends with curÂrent events in Iraq. An imporÂtant hisÂtoÂriÂan and one of StanÂford’s finest lecÂturÂers, SheeÂhan was recentÂly PresÂiÂdent of the AmerÂiÂcan HisÂtorÂiÂcal AssoÂciÂaÂtion. So far four lecÂtures have been postÂed (see here), and there will be more to come.
NOTE: This course has been added to our colÂlecÂtion of Free Online CoursÂes, where you can find about 120 top-notch coursÂes.
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Open Culture editor Dan Colman scours the web for the best educational media. He finds the free courses and audio books you need, the language lessons & movies you want, and plenty of enlightenment in between.