A Biologist Explains How Animals Feel Pain

We, of course, cannot read animals’ minds (even our pets) but that doesn’t mean we can’t intuit some of the ways they feel pain. According to evolutionary biologist Robyn J. Crook in a recent TED-Ed video, humans have two kinds of reaction to pain. First, nerves sense pain, communicate it and cause a jerking reaction. Second, there is conscious recognition—this is what we associate with …

Thundercat feat. Kenny Loggins + Michael McDonald: Show You The Way

In a collaboration worthy of a double-take, Thundercat has joined forces with two formidable names: Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. In his new song “Show You The Way,” Thundercat (aka Stephen Bruner) announces each singer before their verses with a tinge of delightfully sincere awe. The track is quintessentially Thundercat—with a super-smooth groove, shimmery production and plenty of soul. The track is from his third …

Sundance 2017: Annabelle Dexter-Jones’ “Cecile on the Phone”

A post-break-up character study that everyone can connect with

For their considered use of brevity and frequent potency, short films continue to be an important medium—especially for emerging filmmakers. At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, actor and first-time writer/director Annabelle Dexter-Jones released “Cecile on the Phone” as part of the US Narrative Short Films program. For 11 minutes, main character Cecile (played by Dexter-Jones) fixates with such force that a post-break-up character study is …