Your Work Ethic Depends on Dopamine Levels Across the Brain [Science]

Some of us work hard, others are slackers—and for a long time the reason behind radically different work ethics has been a mystery. But new research reveals that dopamine levels in three different areas of the brain influence our willingness to work. More »

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George Zimmerman MySpace Page Reveals Legal Problems, Possible Racism

An old, long-unused MySpace page belonging to George Zimmerman contains apparently racist comments and casts light on his history of legal problems.

Zimmerman, who faces second-degree murder charges for killing Trayvon Martin, makes disparaging comments about Mexicans on the 2005-dated page.

He also referred triumphantly to his escape from legal troubles stemming from his confrontation with law enforcement officers, among other matters.

The page, which was confirmed as authentic Wednesday by Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara, also mentions a 7-year-old domestic violence incident.

Zimmerman, 28, gained national notoriety when he shot and killed Martin, 17, in Sanford, Florida, on February 26. He was not charged at the time.

The case has sparked racial tensions around the U.S., as Martin, who was unarmed, was black. Zimmerman has a white father and Hispanic mother.

Martin’s family and supporters claim he was a victim of racial profiling, while the former neighborhood watch volunteer claims he acted in self-defense.

On the old MySpace page, called “onlytobeakingagain,” Zimmerman uses the name “Joe G” and discusses leaving his hometown of Manassas, Va.

He muses on how much he misses his friends, then vveers into a slang-filled rant, with many words misspelled, about Mexicans who lived in the area.

Zimmerman writes:

“I don’t miss driving around scared to hit mexicans walkin on the street, soft (expletive) wanna be thugs messin with peoples cars when they aint around (what are you provin, that you can dent a car when no ones watchin) don’t make you a man in my book.”

“Workin 96 hours to get a decent pay check, gettin knifes pulled on you by every mexican you run into!” he adds, providing no details about these incidents.

This, of course, has little, if anything, to do with the facts of the Martin case, but it does offer an interesting window into the mind of the defendant.

Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump said Wednesday that be believes prosecutors could use Zimmerman’s MySpace comments against him.

“It’s not just speculation and innuendo. He has a history and a habit of profiling people,” he said. “He thinks certain things about certain racial groups.”

A statement posted on a Zimmerman defense site run by O’Mara concedes that the comments “will cast Mr. Zimmerman in a less-than-favorable light."

O'Mara even concedes it could be used as evidence in the case. His statement says there will be no comment on the MySpace statements for that reason.

The second post mentions a legal battle with an “ex-hoe,” likely a reference to a 2005 incident in which a girlfriend accused Zimmerman of attacking her.

He was not charged in that case, and on the blog post, Zimmerman writes that the woman “tried her hardest, but the judge saw through it!”

Zimmerman’s wife testified at his bail hearing in April. during which he apologized to Trayvon Martin's family, that her husband told her he was actually defending himself in that incident, not the other way around.

A recent photo of Zimmerman's bloody head may bolster his claim that he acted in self-defense during the Martin incident, which he maintains.

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Pop-performance artist up for UK's Turner Prize

LONDON (AP) ? A performance artist who has staged works about the Incredible Hulk and Jabba the Hutt is among four finalists for Britain's most influential and most-mocked art award, the Turner Prize

Spartacus Chetwynd, who uses elaborate handmade costumes for anarchic performances inspired by everyone from the "Star Wars" villain to superheroes and Michael Jackson, is a contender for the 25,000-pound ($40,000) prize, awarded annually to a British artist under 50.

The other finalists announced Tuesday are film and video artists Paul Noble and Elizabeth Price and Luke Fowler, who produces drawings.

Past Turner Prize winners include transvestite potter Grayson Perry, dung-daubing painter Chris Ofili and shark pickler Damien Hirst.

The winner will be announced Dec. 3.

Associated Press

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PSA: Space X streaming test-firing of Falcon 9 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT

Today, SpaceX is test-firing the engines of its Falcon 9 rocket in preparation for that oft-delayed May 7th launch for its Dragon capsule. You'll be able to watch the static-fire test from the comfort of your own desk by pointing a browser at the company website (link below) from 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT. If successful, then the rocket will lift-off properly in a week's time, with designs on being the first commercial craft used to resupply the International Space Station.

Continue reading PSA: Space X streaming test-firing of Falcon 9 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT

PSA: Space X streaming test-firing of Falcon 9 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook Makes Organ Donation Social [Video]

This morning, Facebook announced that it's making organ donation social. From today, you'll be able to declare that you're an organ donor on your timeline—something that Zuckerberg hopes will drive more people to sign up to donate. More »

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Shut Up, Little Man: How Things Went Viral Before the Internet [Video]

Memes and Pop culture virality did not start with the internet. Long before that, underground sensations spread amongst fanboys who poured mass amounts of effort into staying up on mailing lists and trading groups to get their fix of audio and video clips. Prime example: The 1980s craze around a stash of tapes known simply as Shut Up, Little Man. More »

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Kristen Stewart Is Going Back To 'Cali'

The action flick will feature the 'Twilight' actress as the leading lady and co-executive producer.
By Fallon Prinzivalli

Kristen Stewart
Photo: MTV News

Since landing the role of the accident-prone heroine in "The Twilight Saga," Kristen Stewart has sought gritty indie roles that test her acting abilities and cause a stir among fans, the first being her role as a stripper and prostitute in "Welcome to the Rileys." She then cut off her long locks and donned a choppy, black bob to play Joan Jett in "The Runaways." And later this year, she'll portray 16-year-old marijuana enthusiast Marylou in the film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's novel, "On the Road."

But that's just the beginning for the 22-year-old actress. According to Variety, Stewart is set to star in the bold action flick "Cali."

The film centers on Mya (Stewart) and Chris, a couple from San Fernando Valley who sell a fake snuff film and disappear with the money. But Mya — who's thought to be dead — must head back to Cali years later to save the younger sister she left behind. When she and Chris return, they're faced with an array of characters, including "angry former business partners, homicidal porn stars, stoner vet techs [and] an unstoppable killing machine in a cowboy hat."

Michael Diliberti ("30 Minutes or Less") penned the script and will produce along with Voltage Production's Craig J. Flores ("300") and Zev Foreman. New School Media's Brian Levy is the executive producer alongside Nicolas Chartier ("The Hurt Locker") of Voltage and Stewart herself. This will be the actress' first producing credit.

"Kristen is a talented and dynamic actor, with a proved box office draw," Flores told Variety. "Her role in 'Cali' will be edgy and sexy. It will no doubt push the envelope on the public's view of Kristen's wide-ranging abilities. Voltage is thrilled to have her as a partner on this fantastic film."

The project is still in the early stages of development, so there's no release date yet, but audiences can catch the actress in "Snow White and the Huntsman" in theaters June 1. Later, Stewart's dynamic year will continue when she reprises her role as Bella Cullen in

"Breaking Dawn - Part 2" on November 16. Which KStew movie are you most excited to see this year? Leave your comment below!

Check out everything we've got on "On the Road" and "Breaking Dawn - Part 2."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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