I've seen Tolstoy on film; now, thanks to Brain Pickings, I can say I've heard him speak, too. I'd really be impressed if somebody told me there was a recording of George Eliot's voice, too.

I was mighty impressed that Pittsburgh's Franktuary used a Tolstoy quote in a promo this week:

...those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. That state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking.

Things are starting to look dicey for my trip to Pittsburgh this weekend, but I'm more and more convinced that I have to seek Franktuary out.

This seems kind of draconian, but it surely works. Enforced unplugging.

via Fast Company

Replacing our hooks-and-ladders with drones: The robot firemen of the future. http://t.co/wXMdOww5x6 pic.twitter.com/sIqsOeTmrP

— Co.Exist (@FastCoExist) February 24, 2014

Record Your Own Cover Version of John Cages Silent Composition "4:33" with the 4:33 Smartphone App: http://t.co/D0g0CuZMX1

— WFMU (@WFMU) February 20, 2014

via @susancain and Yahoo

This seems to make sense on so many levels. I'd love to hear stories about the effects it's having; I'd like to think that as this becomes more widely known the Congressional use could become a model for the rest of us. Calls to mind Krista Tippet's Civil Conversations project and the National Day of Unplugging.