Hyperbole and a Half’s Allie Brosh is back after a two-year hiatus, with part 2 of an illustrated account of overcoming depression. Dark and delightful. [Hyperbole and a Half]

Stephen Hawking: Questioning the universe

Even world-famous scientists have tiffs. Obviously this bet between Stephen Hawking and Neil Turok means they are just like us. [Mail & Guardian]

A Spanish foundation uses lenticular printing to show a different anti-abuse ad to people depending on their height, to convey a secret message to abused children when walking with their abusers. [Gizmodo]

Julian Baggini, on why Kierkegaard is still awesome and relevant. [Aeon] Watch his TEDx talk »

Neil Turok makes his TED Prize wish

Researchers observe that theta brainwaves are predictors for the ability to overcome ingrained Pavlovian biases, which could help in treating conditions like addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder. [Sci Tech Daily]

Neurohumanities: Breakthrough cross-disciplinary approach, or reductionist field? In other words: Does “how your brain is firing … tell you if something is ironic, metaphorical or meaningful”? The jury is still out. [The Nation]

A redditor projected a circle (ish) on a map of the world and observed some astonishing facts. [io9]

Benoit Mandelbrot: Fractals and the art of roughness
Jim Holt reviews a new memoir about Benoît Mandelbrot, the mathematics legend who coined the word “fractal.” A story of truly infinite beauty. [NYRB] Watch Mandelbrot’s talk from 2010 on roughness »

Our friends at Science Studio, dedicated to collecting the best science video and audio on the interwebs, have launched a preview edition of their site. [Science Studio]

A lovely visualization of the number of meteorites with eyewitnesses in proportion to those recorded. [Bolid.es]

The Cicadapocalypse is nigh as billions of cicadas return to New York for the first time in 17 years. [Gothamist]

Congratulations to the first class of admitted students at AIMS Senegal, the newest AIMS center and the latest achievement from cosmologist and TED Prize winner Neil Turok and his NextEinstein Initiative.

In 2008 Turok wished for the TED community to help “unlock and nurture scientific talent across Africa, so that within our lifetimes we are celebrating an African Einstein.” This proposal is known as the NextEinstein Initiative, Turok’s vision to expand his groundbreaking postgrad program, the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), founded in South Africa in 2003, to a network of 15 centers across Africa. In Turok’s recent talk from Google Zeitgeist, he tells us about his vision for AIMS: “There are plenty of spaces for much more innovative educational centers in the world, and frankly that’s where I think the future will go. It willl go to enterprise. Enterprise should be attached to education and science.”

Since Turok’s 2008 talk AIMS-NEI has made tremendous strides. The second AIMS program launched in Abuja, Nigeria in July 2008, and last month AIMS Senegal welcomed its first class. In the next two years AIMS-NEI anticipates the addition of two new centers in Ghana and Ethiopia. By 2013 all five centers will be fully operating, and the world will be on its way to meeting its first African Einstein.

Today in Ontario, Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, announced $20 million CDN in federal funding to expand the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) into five new locations across Africa by 2015, including Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal.

AIMS was founded by TED Prize winner Neil Turok, the director of the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario. Turok founded AIMS in his hometown of Cape Town, South Africa, to help bring postgraduate mathematical science instruction to Africa — and help talented students across the continent access higher education without having to go abroad. This past June, 53 students from 17 African countries graduated with the AIMS Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematical Sciences. As Neil Turok said in his TED Prize acceptance talk, “the next Einstein may be found in Africa.”

Supported by the Perimeter Institute’s Global Outreach program, the Canadian government’s $20 million CDN will seed five new AIMS centers across Africa. The government funding will go a long way toward AIMS’ eventual goal of 15 new AIMS centers by 2020, via the Next Einstein Initiative, the project kickstarted by Turok’s 2008 TED Prize win.

The video above comes from the presentation today at Perimeter Institute, with Canada’s PM, Stephen Harper, Perimeter Institute director Neil Turok and special guest Dr. Stephen Hawking.

Read the press release >>

Many experts believe the flight of health workers, scientists, and teachers hinder the continent’s development. “It will be impossible to achieve an African renaissance without the contributions of the talented Africans residing outside Africa,” writes Ravinder Rena of the Eritrea Institute of Technology. ….

But a new report from the Council on Foreign Relations, titled “Is Brain Drain Good for Africa?”, suggests two upsides. First, it points out that remittances — the money that expatriate workers send home to their families — have become a meaningful part of some African economies:

A March 2008 paper by economists William Easterly and Yaw Nyarko says remittances to Africa are likely undercounted, but on average they are equivalent to 81 percent of the foreign aid (PDF) received by an individual country.

And second, the report suggests that a significant number of expatriates eventually return home to work, envigorated by exposure to global markets and ideas, and often charged with a mission to improve the lives of their compatriots. (Sociologist Rubin Patterson calls this phenomenon “brain circulation.”) Several TEDTalks speakers are examples of this — like Patrick Awuah, pictured above, who left Seattle (and a career at Microsoft) to found the first liberal arts university in his native Ghana. Watch Patrick Awuah’s TEDTalk >>

Ideally, the efforts of these returning expatriates will help African states to, eventually, nurture and keep homegrown talent. Earlier this year, 2008 TED Prize winner Neil Turok spoke with CFR’s writer on one way to stop the brain drain: by promoting math and science education throughout Africa. Listen to the podcast interview >>

The Next Einstein Initiative (NEI) is building a network of postgraduate centres of excellence for teaching and research in the mathematical sciences, throughout Africa.

NEI is now recruiting a Chief Executive Officer, to manage all aspects of the development and implementation of the NEI programme. The successful applicant will be strongly committed to African development and the NEI goals; be a highly knowledgeable project manager preferably with an MBA and/or business building experience …

Applications are due September 30. Download the job description here. Visit NextEinstein.org to get involved in many other ways too — start by watching and sharing some inspiring videos from students whose lives were changed by the chance to get a top-notch education inside Africa.

More AIMS Student Talks: Be inspired by the stories of current and former AIMS students — young Africans whose lives have been changed through access to a top-notch scientific education at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. Every two weeks, the TED Prize team uploads three talks from the May 12 launch party for the NextEinstein initiative in South Africa (part of the TED Prize wish of physicist Neil Turok). This week we’ve posted talks from two students, Daphne and Viani, as well as a musical performance by Vusi Mahlasela, who dedicates a song to the students of AIMS.

Watch Daphne’s talk below, and see many more amazing talks and performances on the NextEinstein YouTube Channel.

Get frequent updates on the TED Prize wishes via the TED Prize blog RSS feed.

There’s a great blog over on our sister site, TEDPrize.org, with news of all the 2008 TED Prize winners and interesting updates. This year’s wishes are interactive and amazing, with lots of great things happening right now. Keep up via the feed. From the TEDPrize.org blog:

+ Karen Armstrong at The Chautauqua Institution — last week, Karen gave 5 talks exploring the theme of “What is Religion?” She discusses the distinction between faith and belief; she speaks about silence, the limitations and difficulty of God-talk, the purpose of ritual and the rise of atheism. … Read more >>

+ AIMS (Abuja) Opens — The search for the NextEinstein just expanded to Nigeria. On Monday June 30, a new AIMS center opened in Abuja, Nigeria, the capital city. AIMS (Abuja), based at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), is the second of the fifteen AIMS centers to be rolled out across Africa in the next 5 years. … Read more >>

+ A TED Table at 826NYC — At an 826NYC event on Thursday, three TEDsters sponsored chairs for the study area. If one more TED fan sponsors a chair, we will have a TED table-full of chairs. Each chair is $110. If you are interested in sponsoring a chair, contact Jennifer at jennifer [@] 826nyc [dot] org. (And there are many other ways to support 826NYC.) … Read more >>

+ An 826/TED Field Trip — pics and reports from the first 826/TED event … Read more >>

+ What to Watch in July — Some bright spots in the wasteland of summer TV … Read more >>

+ Assessing Your Community — Dave Eggers’ wish is based on the idea that communities should be involved in their public schools. His wish happens at the micro level: individuals impact the lives of individual students by offering their talent and time. The Public Education Network just released its Civic Index for Quality Public Education tool which considers this idea on a macro level. The tool assesses the strengths and weakness of the community as it relates to public education. (It helps answer the question: Is your town a good place to be a school?) … Read more >>

To get daily updates from the TEDPrize Blog, sign up for the RSS feed.

Yesterday, an anonymous donor gave $5 million to Fermilab, outside Chicago, which has been laying off staff after its budget was slashed by Congress. And in the Times of London this weekend, Neil Turok blasts the UK government for cutting funds that support basic research in the sciences. Turok is leaving Cambridge to take a job at the Perimeter Institute in Ontario, a research center for theoretical physics founded by the inventor of the BlackBerry. (Update on 6/1/08: The week before Brian Greene gave this talk, Lawrence Berkeley Labs laid off more than 400 people, including physicists, engineers and chemists — sparking more fears of a US “brain drain.”)

+ In 2007, biologist E.O. Wilson wished that we would help him build a comprehensive catalog of life on Earth. The Encyclopedia of Life launched this spring and is growing — with many ways for both scientists and non-scientists to contribute. Create an account on the site to hear about the latest updates and opportunities — including the debut of a tool for uploading your own photos. Find out more about The Encyclopedia of Life and EOL.org>>

+ In 2005, photographer Edward Burtynsky wished for new ways to teach kids about environmental stewardship. Working with WGBH in Boston, his web cartoon show, The Greens, just celebrated its first anniversary and seventh episode. Watch shows online and download art and music, take a movie quiz and share the site with kids you know. Find out more about The Greens >>

+ At TED2008, physicist Neil Turok wished for the TED community’s help in developing math and sciences talent all over Africa, though the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). Our next Einstein, he says, could be African. At NextEinstein.org, learn more about AIMS, watch video interviews with students, and find many ways to help in this drive to open 15 math and sciences academies in Africa and fund scholarships for the best and the brightest on the continent. Find out more about NextEinstein.org >>

+ in 2008, writer and activist Dave Eggers gave a hilarious TED Prize talk about his wish: that we will all become personally involved in our local schools, and tell a story about it. Whether you volunteer with a chapter of Dave’s 826 National foundation, or on your own, sign in at OnceUponASchool.org and share your story. Find out more about OnceUponASchool.org >>

+ In 2006, filmmaker Jehane Noujaim made an audacious wish: to connect the world for one day through the power of film. Last weekend’s Pangea Day was a moving 4-hour festival — and you can replay the day on PangeaDay.org. Watch the films, speakers and music you missed, find ways to take action, and discuss each film on the site (click on “Comments” to expand the discussion). Find out more about PangeaDay.org >>

+ In 2006, Cameron Sinclair asked TED to help him build an open-source platform to help architects connect with communities in need of designs. The result was the Open Architecture Network — a successful website that acts as both a clearinghouse for building plans and a vibrant social network, allows its users to sample, remix and customize design work for their needs. To help Sinclair’s wish come true, join the community at the Open Architecture Network’s website.

+ In 2006, Dr. Larry Brilliant wished to start a global early warning system to prevent the spread of infectious disease. The organization that grew out of this wish, Innovative Support To Emergencies Diseases and Disasters (InSTEDD) is a venue for humanitarian collaboration with a focus on those involved in disease tracking and disaster response. You can help Dr. Brilliant now by test-driving an alpha version of their crisis assistance directory.

Above: Professor Stephen Hawking met South Africa’s former president, Nelson Mandela, in Houghton, Johannesburg, today. From left to right are Stephen Hawking, Neil Turok, Nelson Mandela, Pik Botha and David Block. Photograph by Dr Robert Groess.

Professor Stephen Hawking today met with South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela to discuss the NextEinstein initiative — part of Neil Turok’s TED Prize wish to develop math and science talent all over Africa.

The NextEinstein initiative builds on the success of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, AIMS, a pan-African centrer for postgraduate training and research, based in Muizenberg, Cape Town. AIMS has so far graduated 160 young scientists from 30 African countries; 53 students, including 20 women, are currently enrolled.

The Next Einstein plan is to create many AIMS centres all over Africa. The second AIMS centre opens in Abuja, Nigeria, in July and additional centres are planned in Ghana, Uganda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Botswana, Rwanda and Sudan.

Upon meeting Mr Mandela, Professor Hawking said, “I am very pleased to meet you. I admire how you managed to find a peaceful solution to a situation that seemed doomed to disaster. It was one of the great achievements of the twentieth century. If only the Israelis and the Palestinians could do the same.”

In turn, Mr Mandela expressed a great interest in AIMS and a desire to visit the centre.

Professor Hawking leaves tonight for Cape Town to participate in a workshop on cosmology at the new National Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stellenbosch.

Read the full press release here >>

Learn more about NextEinstein.org >>Photo Caption: The world’s most famous scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, met former President Nelson Mandela in Houghton today. Photographed from left to right are Professor Stephen Hawking, Professor Neil Turok, Nelson Mandela, Pik Botha and Professor David Block. Photograph by Dr Robert Groess.

The world’s most famous scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, today met with former President Nelson Mandela for the first time.

Professor Hawking is in South Africa to launch the Next Einstein initiative, to discover and nurture maths and science talent all over Africa. The initiative builds on the success of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, AIMS, a pan-African centre for postgraduate training and research, based in Muizenberg, Cape Town. AIMS has so far graduated 160 young scientists from 30 African countries and an additional 53 students, including 20 women, are currently completing the programme.

The Next Einstein plan is to create many AIMS centres, all over Africa. The second AIMS centre opens in Abuja, Nigeria, in July and additional centres are planned in Ghana, Uganda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Botswana, Rwanda and Sudan.

Accompanying Professor Hawking were David Block, Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Witwatersrand University, Pik Botha, former cabinet Minister in the government led by President Mandela, and Neil Turok, founder of the AIMS institute and Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Cambridge.

Upon meeting Mr Mandela, Professor Hawking said, “I am very pleased to meet you. I admire how you managed to find a peaceful solution to a situation that seemed doomed to disaster. It was one of the great achievements of the twentieth century. If only the Israelis and the Palestinians could do the same.”

Mr Mandela responded by welcoming Professor Hawking and the other visitors, expressing a great interest in AIMS and a desire to visit the centre. The meeting was hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, in Houghton, Johannesburg. At the end of the meeting, Professor Hawking said “It was wonderful to meet you.”

Professor Hawking leaves tonight for Cape Town to participate in a workshop on cosmology at the new National Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stellenbosch. He returns to Cambridge over the weekend.