Cogito, ergo sum?

When one thought one had understood Descartes's concept...Athena had a deep philosophical conversation with me on her way to summer camp. If what makes us know that we "are" is thinking, does a baby know he or she is thinking? Does it mean that only when we are counscious of our thoughts we "are"? And at what age does that happen?
I was quite at a loss and it was unnerving because WTOP news was just talking about stem cell research, Bush's veto, etc, and I felt I had no answer for my 12 years old daughter.

Indeed, when are we counscious that we think? When "are" we?

Listen to this rap!

I don't usually like rap, but when it denounces abuses towards women instead of belittling them, I am all for it!

Listen to this one, in farsi and watch the video: no need to understand the language, the images are telling enough!

http://fleetingperusal.blogspot.com/2007/05/female-rap-on-oppression-in-iran-by.html

A Corner of Paradise

My favorite place in the world is Hawaii. it has brought back to me memories of my childhood in the Caribbeans. One could argue how since the language is different, the locals are different...Well, to put it mildly, even though there are areas here and there on the islands that do remind you that it is after all a US State, it has also kept another rythm of life, a slower pace (OK, not on Oahu, where Honolulu reigns) and that is what makes it Paradise Rediscovered.

Hopping on an airplane to go island-jumping is not bad too and if one languishes after the XXI century, a three day trip to Honolulu can help.

Anyway, here is a picture of the view onto Molokaii from Maui.