May 24, 2003

Key Gene for Prefrontal Function EurekAlert Article This one is for the brain techies amongst us. I found this report very exciting, for it helps explain prefrontal function with respect to psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia and ADHD. They've identified a gene, COMT, that governs the efficiency of processing in a key part of the brain. This is an exciting time in neuroscience as there seems to be wonderful new discoveries every time you turn. Hopefully, discoveries like these will lead to much better treatments than the primitive hammers we have now. 9:35:56 PM    comment []

Ironing Yoga German Extreme Ironing Site There is a sport called extreme ironing where people compete in all sorts of physically demanding ironing events. An offshoot of this is called "Eso Ironing" where ironing is combined with meditation and yoga postures. I suppose meditation and yoga could be applied to practically any mundane activity. 9:13:28 PM    comment []

The Philosophy of the Matrix http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/ At this site click on "Philosophy Section" to get to a playground of philosophical ideas centered around the idea of the movie "The Matrix". With the new movie in the theatres, I thought this would be a good time to bring this one up. Is the possibility that we may be living in a matrix philosophically sound? If we are in a matrix, would that make any difference to the living of our lives? This site discusses questions like these and many others, and is definately a worthwhile stop in your journey in this matrix, er, i mean life. 8:58:46 PM    comment []

May 10, 2003

Afterlife Telegrams http://www.afterlifetelegrams.com/AFTERLIFE/ Do you ever wish that you could talk to a relative that has passed away? This site can help. They allow you to give a message to a terminally ill person, who memorizes it, and who will pass on the message after they die, if they can. Also included at the site is a virtual cemetary plot, but I don't think anyone has used it yet. Now if someone could think up a real scheme to have someone who is passed away send a very alive -me- a message, I'd be quite impressed. 10:29:42 AM    comment []

Violent Music Begets Violence, of Course Washington Times Article Study after study shows it. But for some reason the belief that violence in movies, tv, games and music etc. causes no harm is a myth that refuses to die. I suppose because not only big businesses have a stake in producing violent product, but because for many people violent products are excitement producing. Here is an article about yet another article showing that what you listen to can affect your level of aggression. I don't think it is a stretch to say quiet, meditative music can help bring a level of peace to at least part of your day. 10:08:53 AM    comment []

The Zen of Drinking Alone Modern Drunkard Magazine Article Well, this is a little different... This article espouses that drinking alone can be an excellent path to inner knowledge. I think they are on to something. When one drinks, all sorts of barriers are lifted (which can be a problem in the presence of other people) revealing a raw inner person. I think the key here is the being alone, in a quiet introspective mood. For we all know that being drunk with other people can tend to bring out the inner jerk or inner idiot... 9:49:58 AM    comment []

May 1, 2003

Believer's Bias and the Paranormal http://www.csicop.org/si/9511/eyewitness.html Recently, I was looking into a phenomenon of what is called the "sheep-goat effect" where sheep (believers in Psi) score higher on Psi tests that chance while goats (non-believers) score lower than chance. This article doesn't talk about that, but talks instead about the effects of belief on "eyewitness testimony". Turns out that belief powerfully influences the content of our experiences of the paranormal, whether in the sheep/goat effect way or just in our perception of possible paranormal experiences. 9:03:52 PM    comment []