PBS Idea Channel

Unlisted video found only with the direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1AeKCPjjAM

Mike Responds to Michael from VSauce's philosophical question: Are the bacteria and skin cells that live on your body "You"? Check out VSauce's original question in "A Real No-Brainer" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3teflb1QNN4&t=6m16s A couple folks have correctly pointed out I flubbed the names of the philosophical schools of thought. Which I did. That. Time to reread Russell's History of Western Philosophy! And speaking of books: this is an *extreme* distillation of some really complex and interesting stuff. If you're interested in doing more reading, a bunch of very smart people have tackled this topic. Just a couple of my favorites are: - Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason - Martin Heidegger, Being and Time - Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness - Ludwig Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (less "self" and more "existence")

We made it through Hurricane Sandy but Mike is trapped in Brooklyn since mass transit is down and the mayor is asking people not to drive! This means we wont be able to upload a new Idea Channel episode tomorrow - but hopefully we'll be able to upload it soon. So here's a small Idea about the "news" to ponder until we get everything up and running again.

We're all taking a break for Turkey and Naps, but while Mike was home he started thinking about ... well ... home. Maybe some of what a couple philosophers - Jean Baudrillard and Ludwig Wittgenstein - wrote about could explain that weirdness. Or maybe not? Mike also responds to a video Destin from Smarter Every Day (http://www.youtube.com/smartereveryday) posted. Cats and banjos are involved so ...GOOD FUN FOR EVERYONE. HAPPY THANKSGIVEY!

Here's an idea: Vine is the future of Cinema Happy April Fools! With ever-shortening attention spans and changing economic structures in the industry, Vine has appeared at a critical time in filmmaking. These 6-second GIFs with sound have opened an entire new form for creators, and could be the future of movies!!

Hey guys! We're traveling this week, so there won't be a full episode, but we've got a few smaller videos that we'll be sharing! In this video you'll see a promo that was on broadcast TV, airing on PBS a month or so ago. Enjoy!

We'll be back next week with a regular episode, but until then, here's the second broadcast promo that aired on PBS. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Every week, Mr. Monfre's class in Milwaukee, Wisconsin watches Idea Channel, has a great discussion and posts an awesome comment. We were lucky enough to surprise them with a visit to their classroom!!! So come watch as Mike meets the illustrious Mr. Monfre and hangs out with his amazing students.

Ask and you shall receive... ANSWERS!!! We've compiled your submitted Qs, and responded to as many as we could. How did Idea Channel get started? How is the show made? What ideas are in the pipeline? All these questions and MORE are in this week's video!! (So many in fact that they overflowed into a second video...)

MORE of Your Questions Answered!

If you've ever built something from IKEA, you know the experience can be considered a metaphor for life itself. The struggles and confusion, the moments of epiphany when things seemingly come together, and then the intense periods of trial when you realize you assembled it backwards. Can we look at IKEA as a company with philosophical motivations, helping its customers come to better self-awareness? Titta på avsnittet och ta reda på! April Fools!

CAPS LOCK POETRY WE FINALLY RELEASED IT! ENJOY THEIR BEAUTY

Takin' a little break to enjoy summer weather, but never fear, we wouldn't leave you with NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT!!! So… here are a couple thoughts to keep your brain warm until we're back next week. No. 1: Does an object need to have no utilitarian use to be art? No. 2: Is The Daily Show a better news program than traditional evening news?

Regardless of Sam Pepper's apparent intention that his recent prank videos act as a "social experiment", I and many other people found them to be upsetting and damaging to the YouTube Community. Lacking appropriate context and explanation establishing them as commentary or criticism, these videos (and others, for that matter) come across as either documentation of a heinous act perpetrated by Sam himself or implicit reinforcement of the idea that the activity shown in the videos is normal, funny or forgivable. It is none of those things. In portraying heinous acts as normal, funny, or forgivable, a media creator diminishes the experience of people who have personally dealt with those heinous acts. In portraying heinous acts as normal, funny, or forgivable, a media creator implies that if members of their audience were to engage in these heinous acts, they would be normal, funny, or forgivable. Furthermore, it is suggested that one could become successful by creating media which portrays heinous acts. This is what I mean when I say these videos show a fundamental disrespect to audience and to people. I'd like to say more on the subject, especially on the subject of appropriately using media to shed light on important social issues, but I want to do it carefully, and calmly, and with nuance and I don't feel capable of those things while we're still in the midst of this. If, for whatever reason, you'd like to talk to me on twitter or via email or the subreddit or wherever about any of this–please do. I'm more than happy to.

It's that time of year again, when we eat Turkey and answer your crazy, fun questions about Idea Channel and Mike's favorite things. What music does he like? What books does he hate? And most importantly, Mike reveals his secret super power.

Gather round and enjoy the warmth and comfort of Idea Bulbs™ this holiday season. Happy Holidays from your friends at PBS Idea Channel!

Happy Holidays from your friends at Idea Channel!!! The yule log is a fascinating tradition, isn’t it? 3+ hours of footage of a burning log, a holiday symbol of home and family, first broadcast in the 1960s for those poor city folk without fireplaces of their own. This simple, beautiful, long-from programming is a holiday miracle!! Enjoy this short episode, and we’ll see you in the new year!

Idea Channel is about to have its first sponsor. This video is about what that means.

April Fool's Day joke

Idea Channel is going to experiment in the next few weeks with separate comment response videos. We hope it will be a great way for you to continue having awesome discussions with each other! Let us know what you think about all this in the comments!

This week Mike Rugnetta discusses the progression of the snow globe from meticulously crafted art piece to tacky trinket, and reveals this year's Idea Channel Snow Globe!

Happy Holidays to all! In the spirit of the season, the team here at Idea Channel has crafted this amazingly accurate snow globe simulation. Impress your friends and family by displaying it proudly on your TV, tablet, digital picture frame, or wherever you want to spread holiday cheer. See you in the new year!

Last month we asked you to write a short story in the comments including all 6 topics from the story dice found in the Snowglobe video. Three winners were chosen to receive an awesome Idea Channel butterfly t-shirt, and as promised, Mike will now perform each story in a dramatic fashion. Thanks for playing!