Rad time series of our changing borders, a good reminder empires are transitory and our single-minded nationalism has a complex history: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f54_1337075813
If you want a brief interlude of awe and wonder: myscienceacademy.org/2013/01/14/25-places-that-look-not-normal-but-are-actually-real/
If you thought the Swedish trash monster was cool, check out Ireland: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/science/earth/in-ireland-carbon-taxes-pay-off.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
TED of the week, Haidt (usually waxing eloquent on morality) breaks down the polarizations of congress: http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_how_common_threats_can_make_common_political_ground.html
The most recent Generation Podcast episode provides a fantastic perspective on climate messaging and an intriguing story about romance–a climate denier and climate scientists combine forces to reach out to evangelical Christians: http://grist.org/climate-energy/what-would-jesus-do-about-climate-change/ This is what we need!
Another necessary read from Naomi Klein if you are feeling righteous about climate change: http://www.thenation.com/article/164497/capitalism-vs-climate# and closely dovetailed with “Climate of Doubt”: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/climate-of-doubt/
Sifted 