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Thursday, December 29, 2005
The 'I' Word - Newsweek Politics - MSNBC.com: "We are entering a dark time in which the central argument advanced by each party is going to involve accusing the other party of committing what amounts to treason. Democrats will accuse the Bush administration of destroying the Constitution; Republicans will accuse the Dems of destroying our security"
Don Monkerud: "The recent shooting of seven people in a church in Wisconsin has gun supporters frothing at the mouth. Similar to the dog and pony show after Columbine High School - where the National Rifle Association (NRA) defended American's right to own guns - the church shooting prompted a Wisconsin Republican candidate for attorney general to declare that the shooting could have been prevented if only the parishioners were armed."
Once we start down this road, more opportunities pop up like ducks in a shooting gallery. How much money could the Catholic Church have saved if all those boys molested by Catholic priests were armed? Firearms could help solve many common everyday problems such as the driver who cuts you off on the freeway, or the woman who crowded in front of you at the grocery store line. The prospects for instant problem solving with firearms offers a fine solution for a nation that loves simple solutions to complex problems.
We are a peaceful, law-abiding nation until someone crosses our path then we reach for our guns.
Once we start down this road, more opportunities pop up like ducks in a shooting gallery. How much money could the Catholic Church have saved if all those boys molested by Catholic priests were armed? Firearms could help solve many common everyday problems such as the driver who cuts you off on the freeway, or the woman who crowded in front of you at the grocery store line. The prospects for instant problem solving with firearms offers a fine solution for a nation that loves simple solutions to complex problems.
We are a peaceful, law-abiding nation until someone crosses our path then we reach for our guns.
Robotic Nation Evidence: The End of Moore's Law?: "consciousness is basically a state in which the behavior of the self and another is understood,' said Takeno"
Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone From Yahoo! News#comments#commentsI'm a vietnam veteran. In that situation you had the rich trying to get the populance to defend itself against the violent. It was not successful then. It won't be now. How many times do we have to go through this? Forever?
Monday, December 26, 2005
Motorized Bicycle That Works Off Fuel CellsCidetec Technology Centre’s Energy Department has designed a prototype for a motorized bicycle that works off fuel cells. The project, financed by the Gipuzkoa Provincial Government, involved using a bicycle kindly provided by the ORBEA bicycle manufacturing company and the pedalling action of which is assisted by a motor. The novelty lies in that the battery power source for the motor is substituted by a fuel cell which, for its operation, only needs oxygen from the air and hydrogen contained under pressure in a small tank.
Related News Stories
Future Car Receives Fuel Cell (November 17, 1998) -- Texas Tech University's FutureCar Research is receiving an energy boost from Energy Partners, Inc. of West Palm Beach, Fla. The company is donating a hydrogen-powered fuel cell that Texas Tech ... > full story
Fuel Cell Reaches Milestone (March 3, 2004) -- A five-kilowatt solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) undergoing testing in Fairbanks has reached the 5,000-hour milestone since its start-up eight months ... > full story
University Of Florida Engineer, Students Create Glow-In-The-Dark Bicycle (October 19, 2001) -- Nighttime cyclists may soon have a dramatic safety improvement that's sure to get glowing reviews: a bike that glows from stem to stern, wheels included. ... > full story
Case Western Reserve University Researchers Develop Prototype Of Miniature Fuel Cell (May 2, 2000) -- Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a prototype of a miniature fuel cell with a volume of only five cubic millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser. The new cell was ... > full story
> more related stories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related section: Matter & Energy
The fuel cell employed is of the PEMFC (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell) type, a technology considered to be cutting edge in this field. The fuel cell is, in reality, a series of numerous MEAs (membrane-electrode assembly) layered one on top of each other in order to reach useful power values, given that the voltage generated by each MEA is less than 1 V.
Each MEA is made up of an anodic electrode, where hydrogen molecules break up into protons and electrons. The membrane used enables the passage of protons, but not electrons, thus obliging the latter to travel around an exterior electric circuit made up of the equipment itself that is being supplied with power. Finally, at the cathodic electrode, the electrons recombine with oxygen from air, thus producing water. This involves an electrochemical reaction that does not generate any contaminating waste; there is, thus, no combustion.
At Cidetec, Centre for Electrochemical Technologies, intensive work on the development of home-grown fuel cell technology, energy sources that, in the not too distant future, will power cars, mobile phones, telecommunication centres, etc.
Editor's Note: The original news release can be found here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related News Stories
Future Car Receives Fuel Cell (November 17, 1998) -- Texas Tech University's FutureCar Research is receiving an energy boost from Energy Partners, Inc. of West Palm Beach, Fla. The company is donating a hydrogen-powered fuel cell that Texas Tech ... > full story
Fuel Cell Reaches Milestone (March 3, 2004) -- A five-kilowatt solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) undergoing testing in Fairbanks has reached the 5,000-hour milestone since its start-up eight months ... > full story
University Of Florida Engineer, Students Create Glow-In-The-Dark Bicycle (October 19, 2001) -- Nighttime cyclists may soon have a dramatic safety improvement that's sure to get glowing reviews: a bike that glows from stem to stern, wheels included. ... > full story
Case Western Reserve University Researchers Develop Prototype Of Miniature Fuel Cell (May 2, 2000) -- Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a prototype of a miniature fuel cell with a volume of only five cubic millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser. The new cell was ... > full story
> more related stories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related section: Matter & Energy
The fuel cell employed is of the PEMFC (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell) type, a technology considered to be cutting edge in this field. The fuel cell is, in reality, a series of numerous MEAs (membrane-electrode assembly) layered one on top of each other in order to reach useful power values, given that the voltage generated by each MEA is less than 1 V.
Each MEA is made up of an anodic electrode, where hydrogen molecules break up into protons and electrons. The membrane used enables the passage of protons, but not electrons, thus obliging the latter to travel around an exterior electric circuit made up of the equipment itself that is being supplied with power. Finally, at the cathodic electrode, the electrons recombine with oxygen from air, thus producing water. This involves an electrochemical reaction that does not generate any contaminating waste; there is, thus, no combustion.
At Cidetec, Centre for Electrochemical Technologies, intensive work on the development of home-grown fuel cell technology, energy sources that, in the not too distant future, will power cars, mobile phones, telecommunication centres, etc.
Editor's Note: The original news release can be found here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japan's humanoid robots | Better than people | Economist.com: "Most Japanese take an eclectic approach to religious beliefs, and the native religion, Shintoism, is infused with animism: it does not make clear distinctions between inanimate things and organic beings. A popular Japanese theory about robots, therefore, is that there is no need to explain why Japanese are fond of them: what needs explaining, rather, is why westerners allow their Christian hang-ups to get in the way of a good technology. When Honda started making real progress with its humanoid-robot project, it consulted the Vatican on whether westerners would object to a robot made in man's image.
Getty ImagesJapanese popular culture has also consistently portrayed robots in a positive light, ever since Japan created its first famous cartoon robot, Tetsuwan Atomu, in 1951. Its name in Japanese refers to its atomic heart. Putting a nuclear core into a cartoon robot less than a decade after Hiroshima and Nagasaki might seem an odd way to endear people to the new character. But Tetsuwan Atom�being a robot, rather than a human�was able to use the technology for good. "
Getty ImagesJapanese popular culture has also consistently portrayed robots in a positive light, ever since Japan created its first famous cartoon robot, Tetsuwan Atomu, in 1951. Its name in Japanese refers to its atomic heart. Putting a nuclear core into a cartoon robot less than a decade after Hiroshima and Nagasaki might seem an odd way to endear people to the new character. But Tetsuwan Atom�being a robot, rather than a human�was able to use the technology for good. "
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Doctors' Delicate Balance in Keeping Hope Alive - New York Times: "The language of hope - whether, when and how to invoke it - has become an excruciatingly difficult issue in the modern relationship between doctor and patient.
For centuries, doctors followed Hippocrates' injunction to hold out hope to patients, even when it meant withholding the truth. But that canon has been blasted apart by modern patients' demands for honesty and more involvement in their care. Now, patients may be told more than they need or want to know. Yet they still also need and want hope.
In response, some doctors are beginning to think about hope in new ways. In certain cases, that means tempering a too-bleak prognosis. In others, it means resisting the allure of cutting-edge treatments with questionable benefits.
Already vulnerable when they learn they have a life-threatening disease or chronic illness, patients can feel bewildered, trapped between reality and possibility. They, as well as doctors, are discovering that in the modern medical world, hope itself cannot be monolithic. It can be defined in many ways, depending on the patient's medical condition and station in life. A dying woman can find hope by selecting wedding gifts for her toddlers. An infertile couple moves on toward adoption.
The power of a doctor's pronouncements is profound. When a doctor takes a blunt-is-best approach, enumerating side effects and dim statistics, in essence offering a hopeless prognosis, patients experience despair."
Candid exchanges about diagnosis and prognosis, especially when the answers are grim, are a relatively recent phenomenon. Hippocrates taught that physicians should "comfort with solicitude and attention, revealing nothing of the patient's present or future condition." A dose of reality, doctors believed, could poison a patient's hope, the will to live.
Until the 1960's, that approach was largely embraced by physicians. Dr. Eric Cassell, who lectured about hope in November to doctors in the Boston area, recalled the days when a woman would wake from surgery, asking if she had cancer:
" 'No,' we'd say, 'you had suspicious cells so we took the breast, so you wouldn't get cancer.' We were all liars." Treatments were very limited. "Now when we're truthful," Dr. Cassell added, "it's in an era in which we believe we can do something."
Doctors in many third world countries and modernized nations, including Italy and Japan, still believe in withholding a bad prognosis. But the United States, Britain and other countries were revolutionized in the late 60's by the patients' rights movement, which established that patients had a legal right to be fully informed about their medical condition and treatment options.
Now, whether a patient comes in complaining of a backache, a rash or a lump in the armpit, many doctors interpret informed consent as the obligation to rattle off all possibilities, from best-case to worst-case situations. Honesty is imperative. But what benefit is served by Dr. Dour?
"There are doctors who paint a bleaker picture than necessary so they can turn out to be heroes if things turn out well," said Dr. David Spiegel, a psychiatrist at Stanford medical school, "and it also relieves doctors of responsibility if bad things happen."
The fear of malpractice litigation after a bad outcome, he said,
Hope," wrote Emily Dickinson, "is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul."
Imprecise and evanescent, hope is almost universally considered essential to the business of being human.
Few can define hope: Self-delusion? Optimism? Expectation? Faith?
And that, say experts from across a wide spectrum, is the point: hope means different things to different people. When someone's medical condition changes, that person's definition of hope changes. A hope for a cure can morph into a hope that a relationship can be mended. Or that one's organs will be eligible for donation.
For so many, hope and faith are inextricably linked. "Truly spiritual people are amazing, " said Ms. Murphy of University Hospital. "Until the moment of death, families pray for a mira
The fear of malpractice litigation after a bad outcome, he said, also drives doctors to be stunningly explicit from the outset.
The medical community has nicknames for this bluntness: truth-dumping, terminal candor, hanging crepe. But some social workers call it false hopelessness.
Given a time-tied prognosis, many patients become withdrawn and depressed, said Roz Kleban, a supervising social worker with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "Telling someone they have two years to live isn't useful knowledge," she said. "It's noise. Whether or not that prediction is true, they lose their ability to live well in the present."
Health care providers debate the wisdom of giving patients a precise prognosis: "There's an ethical obligation to tell people their prognosis," said Dr. Barron Lerner, an internist and bioethicist at Columbia University medical school, "but no reason to pound it into their heads."
Others say that doctors should make sure they can explain the numbers in context, with the pluses and minuses of treatment options, including the implications of choosing not to have treatment.
Though many patients ask how long they have to live, thinking that amid the chaos of bad news, a number offers something concrete, studies show that they do not understand statistical nuances and tend to misconstrue them. Moreover, though statistics may be indicative, they are inherently imperfect.
Many doctors prefer not to give a prognosis. And, studies show, their prognoses are often wrong, one way or the other.
For centuries, doctors followed Hippocrates' injunction to hold out hope to patients, even when it meant withholding the truth. But that canon has been blasted apart by modern patients' demands for honesty and more involvement in their care. Now, patients may be told more than they need or want to know. Yet they still also need and want hope.
In response, some doctors are beginning to think about hope in new ways. In certain cases, that means tempering a too-bleak prognosis. In others, it means resisting the allure of cutting-edge treatments with questionable benefits.
Already vulnerable when they learn they have a life-threatening disease or chronic illness, patients can feel bewildered, trapped between reality and possibility. They, as well as doctors, are discovering that in the modern medical world, hope itself cannot be monolithic. It can be defined in many ways, depending on the patient's medical condition and station in life. A dying woman can find hope by selecting wedding gifts for her toddlers. An infertile couple moves on toward adoption.
The power of a doctor's pronouncements is profound. When a doctor takes a blunt-is-best approach, enumerating side effects and dim statistics, in essence offering a hopeless prognosis, patients experience despair."
Candid exchanges about diagnosis and prognosis, especially when the answers are grim, are a relatively recent phenomenon. Hippocrates taught that physicians should "comfort with solicitude and attention, revealing nothing of the patient's present or future condition." A dose of reality, doctors believed, could poison a patient's hope, the will to live.
Until the 1960's, that approach was largely embraced by physicians. Dr. Eric Cassell, who lectured about hope in November to doctors in the Boston area, recalled the days when a woman would wake from surgery, asking if she had cancer:
" 'No,' we'd say, 'you had suspicious cells so we took the breast, so you wouldn't get cancer.' We were all liars." Treatments were very limited. "Now when we're truthful," Dr. Cassell added, "it's in an era in which we believe we can do something."
Doctors in many third world countries and modernized nations, including Italy and Japan, still believe in withholding a bad prognosis. But the United States, Britain and other countries were revolutionized in the late 60's by the patients' rights movement, which established that patients had a legal right to be fully informed about their medical condition and treatment options.
Now, whether a patient comes in complaining of a backache, a rash or a lump in the armpit, many doctors interpret informed consent as the obligation to rattle off all possibilities, from best-case to worst-case situations. Honesty is imperative. But what benefit is served by Dr. Dour?
"There are doctors who paint a bleaker picture than necessary so they can turn out to be heroes if things turn out well," said Dr. David Spiegel, a psychiatrist at Stanford medical school, "and it also relieves doctors of responsibility if bad things happen."
The fear of malpractice litigation after a bad outcome, he said,
Hope," wrote Emily Dickinson, "is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul."
Imprecise and evanescent, hope is almost universally considered essential to the business of being human.
Few can define hope: Self-delusion? Optimism? Expectation? Faith?
And that, say experts from across a wide spectrum, is the point: hope means different things to different people. When someone's medical condition changes, that person's definition of hope changes. A hope for a cure can morph into a hope that a relationship can be mended. Or that one's organs will be eligible for donation.
For so many, hope and faith are inextricably linked. "Truly spiritual people are amazing, " said Ms. Murphy of University Hospital. "Until the moment of death, families pray for a mira
The fear of malpractice litigation after a bad outcome, he said, also drives doctors to be stunningly explicit from the outset.
The medical community has nicknames for this bluntness: truth-dumping, terminal candor, hanging crepe. But some social workers call it false hopelessness.
Given a time-tied prognosis, many patients become withdrawn and depressed, said Roz Kleban, a supervising social worker with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "Telling someone they have two years to live isn't useful knowledge," she said. "It's noise. Whether or not that prediction is true, they lose their ability to live well in the present."
Health care providers debate the wisdom of giving patients a precise prognosis: "There's an ethical obligation to tell people their prognosis," said Dr. Barron Lerner, an internist and bioethicist at Columbia University medical school, "but no reason to pound it into their heads."
Others say that doctors should make sure they can explain the numbers in context, with the pluses and minuses of treatment options, including the implications of choosing not to have treatment.
Though many patients ask how long they have to live, thinking that amid the chaos of bad news, a number offers something concrete, studies show that they do not understand statistical nuances and tend to misconstrue them. Moreover, though statistics may be indicative, they are inherently imperfect.
Many doctors prefer not to give a prognosis. And, studies show, their prognoses are often wrong, one way or the other.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Letterman Lawyers Fight Restraining Order - Yahoo! News: "SANTA FE, N.M. - Lawyers for David Letterman want a judge to quash a restraining order granted to a Santa Fe woman who contends the CBS late-night host used code words to show he wanted to marry her and train her as his co-host.
A state judge granted a temporary restraining order to Colleen Nestler, who alleged in a request filed last Thursday that Letterman has forced her to go bankrupt and caused her 'mental cruelty' and 'sleep deprivation' since May 1994.
Nestler requested that Letterman, who tapes his show in New York, stay at least 3 yards away and not 'think of me, and release me from his mental harassment and hammering.'
Lawyers for Letterman, in a motion filed Tuesday, contend the order is without merit and asked state District Judge Daniel Sanchez to quash it.
'Celebrities deserve protection of their reputation and legal rights when the occasional fan becomes dangerous or deluded,' Albuquerque lawyer Pat Rogers wrote in the motion.
Nestler told The Associated Press by telephone Wednesday that she had no comment pending her request for a permanent restraining order 'and I pray to God I get it.'"
Nestler's application for a restraining order was accompanied by a six-page typed letter in which she said Letterman used code words, gestures and "eye expressions" to convey his desires for her.
She wrote that she began sending Letterman "thoughts of love" after his "Late Show" began in 1993, and that he responded in code words and gestures, asking her to come East.
She said he asked her to be his wife during a televised "teaser" for his show by saying, "Marry me, Oprah." Her letter said Oprah was the first of many code names for her and that the coded vocabulary increased and changed with time.
Her letter does not say why she recently sought a restraining order.
Rogers' motion to quash the order contends the court lacks jurisdiction over Letterman, that Nestler never served him with restraining order papers, and that she didn't meet other procedural requirements.
A state judge granted a temporary restraining order to Colleen Nestler, who alleged in a request filed last Thursday that Letterman has forced her to go bankrupt and caused her 'mental cruelty' and 'sleep deprivation' since May 1994.
Nestler requested that Letterman, who tapes his show in New York, stay at least 3 yards away and not 'think of me, and release me from his mental harassment and hammering.'
Lawyers for Letterman, in a motion filed Tuesday, contend the order is without merit and asked state District Judge Daniel Sanchez to quash it.
'Celebrities deserve protection of their reputation and legal rights when the occasional fan becomes dangerous or deluded,' Albuquerque lawyer Pat Rogers wrote in the motion.
Nestler told The Associated Press by telephone Wednesday that she had no comment pending her request for a permanent restraining order 'and I pray to God I get it.'"
Nestler's application for a restraining order was accompanied by a six-page typed letter in which she said Letterman used code words, gestures and "eye expressions" to convey his desires for her.
She wrote that she began sending Letterman "thoughts of love" after his "Late Show" began in 1993, and that he responded in code words and gestures, asking her to come East.
She said he asked her to be his wife during a televised "teaser" for his show by saying, "Marry me, Oprah." Her letter said Oprah was the first of many code names for her and that the coded vocabulary increased and changed with time.
Her letter does not say why she recently sought a restraining order.
Rogers' motion to quash the order contends the court lacks jurisdiction over Letterman, that Nestler never served him with restraining order papers, and that she didn't meet other procedural requirements.
Wired News: Scientists Meditate on Happiness: "Generally people with happy temperaments exhibit a high ratio of activity in the left prefrontal cortex, an area associated with happiness, joy and enthusiasm. Those who are prone to anxiety, fear and depression exhibit a higher ratio of activity in the right prefrontal cortex. "
Wired News: Think Away the Pain: "The researchers asked people in pain to try to control a pain-regulating region of the brain by watching activity in that area from inside a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, machine. Initial results showed subjects could reduce their pain, some quite dramatically.
It's the first evidence that humans can take control of a specific region of the brain, and thereby decrease pain, said Stanford professor Sean Mackey, who co-wrote the paper, which was published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."
It's the first evidence that humans can take control of a specific region of the brain, and thereby decrease pain, said Stanford professor Sean Mackey, who co-wrote the paper, which was published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."
Monday, December 19, 2005
Happiness Buys Success - Yahoo! News: "Scientists reviewed 225 studies involving 275,000 people and found that chronically happy people are in general more successful in their personal and professional lives. Importantly, their happiness tends to be a consequence of positive emotions, the researchers conclude.
'When people feel happy, they tend to feel confident, optimistic, and energetic and others find them likable and sociable,' said Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside. 'Happy people are thus able to benefit from these perceptions.'
The results are detailed in the current issue of the Psychological Bulletin, published by the American Psychological Association. "
Previous research has often assumed that success and accomplishments bring happiness, Lyubomirsky and her colleagues write.
"We found that this isn't always true," Lyubomirsky said. "Positive affect is one attribute among several that can lead to success-oriented behaviors. Other resources, such as intelligence, family, expertise and physical fitness, can also play a role in peoples' successes."
Among the good things that come from happiness: positive perceptions of self and others, sociability, creativity, a strong immune system, and effective coping skills.
"Happy people are more likely than their less happy peers to have fulfilling marriages and relationships, high incomes, superior work performance, community involvement, robust health and even a long life," Lyubomirsky said.
'When people feel happy, they tend to feel confident, optimistic, and energetic and others find them likable and sociable,' said Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside. 'Happy people are thus able to benefit from these perceptions.'
The results are detailed in the current issue of the Psychological Bulletin, published by the American Psychological Association. "
Previous research has often assumed that success and accomplishments bring happiness, Lyubomirsky and her colleagues write.
"We found that this isn't always true," Lyubomirsky said. "Positive affect is one attribute among several that can lead to success-oriented behaviors. Other resources, such as intelligence, family, expertise and physical fitness, can also play a role in peoples' successes."
Among the good things that come from happiness: positive perceptions of self and others, sociability, creativity, a strong immune system, and effective coping skills.
"Happy people are more likely than their less happy peers to have fulfilling marriages and relationships, high incomes, superior work performance, community involvement, robust health and even a long life," Lyubomirsky said.
Slashdot | Testing Drugs on India's Poor: "Sometimes it makes me wish we'd let the South win the civil war. They could live in backward redneck-land and the rest of the country could get on with evolving the species"
The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Business: "If all goes well, researchers say this bionic hand could be implanted on human arms two years from now, its wired joints discreetly covered by a synthetic glove.
Cyberhand would allow the maimed to have 'the feeling of touching things,' says Paolo Dario, the project's coordinator at the Polo Sant'Anna Valdera institute in this central Italian town.
The hand is the fruit of cooperation between six teams working in four European countries -- Italy, Germany, Spain and Denmark. For Dario, it is also an example of Europe's enormous -- but still relatively underfunded -- potential in the fast-expanding field of robotics.
'We have a network, we know how to work together. We are ready to make a leap ahead,' he said.
Financed with $1.8 million from a special European Union fund for emerging technologies, Cyberhand was cited as a success by European Commission officials in October when they appealed to governments and industry to give robotics more financial backing"
Patton said it represents "the first prosthetic hand that really is fully integrated into the nervous system." Linked to the nerves by tiny electrodes and biomimetic sensors, it would let patients sense the position and movement of the hand as well as stimuli from the outside environment.
Though researchers in the United States have covered similar ground, they have not addressed the problems of electrodes, prosthesis, sensory feedback, control, and processing of commands all together, said Silvestro Micera, a Cyberhand researcher.
What remains to be seen, Patton said, is whether the materials used for Cyberhand will be compatible with the human body, how a patient's brain will adapt and how the hand can be powered
Cyberhand would allow the maimed to have 'the feeling of touching things,' says Paolo Dario, the project's coordinator at the Polo Sant'Anna Valdera institute in this central Italian town.
The hand is the fruit of cooperation between six teams working in four European countries -- Italy, Germany, Spain and Denmark. For Dario, it is also an example of Europe's enormous -- but still relatively underfunded -- potential in the fast-expanding field of robotics.
'We have a network, we know how to work together. We are ready to make a leap ahead,' he said.
Financed with $1.8 million from a special European Union fund for emerging technologies, Cyberhand was cited as a success by European Commission officials in October when they appealed to governments and industry to give robotics more financial backing"
Patton said it represents "the first prosthetic hand that really is fully integrated into the nervous system." Linked to the nerves by tiny electrodes and biomimetic sensors, it would let patients sense the position and movement of the hand as well as stimuli from the outside environment.
Though researchers in the United States have covered similar ground, they have not addressed the problems of electrodes, prosthesis, sensory feedback, control, and processing of commands all together, said Silvestro Micera, a Cyberhand researcher.
What remains to be seen, Patton said, is whether the materials used for Cyberhand will be compatible with the human body, how a patient's brain will adapt and how the hand can be powered
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Honda�s ASIMO robot gets an upgrade and a new job - Robots - robots.engadget.com: "Honda�s new version of their ASIMO humanoid robot is selling out and going to work for the man. After pulling crossing guard duty and being a general bohemian, ASIMO has been upgraded to handle office work with his new �total control system� that allows him to pull receptionist duty, act as an information guide, or do delivery service. They�ve also improved his walking abilities, allowing him to walk in sync with someone hand in hand, run in a circle, and reach the crazy speed of 3.7MPH. But if things don�t work out for him with these new levels of responsibility, ASIMO can always go back to being a bum, and is now even capable of pushing a cart full of his belongings, allowing him to really embrace the lifestyle we know he was made for."
Monday, December 12, 2005
Keeping Up With the Gateses - Newsweek Society - MSNBC.com: "It helps to have $30 billion in assets, of course, but enormity isn't the only thing that distinguishes this enterprise. As anyone shadowing the Gateses quickly discovers, the foundation is no less a business than the corporation that spawned it. 'The benefactors,' as they're known in the 'MBM' (the traveling staff's minute-by-minute itinerary) see themselves not as donors but as entrepreneurs in search of good investments. 'We're not giving money away,' Gates says. 'We're working on world health, and we're working with an incredible bank account. The science we're pursuing is just as fun, and just as fascinating, as software development.'"
Dec. 19, 2005 issue - Next time you visit Dhaka, Bangladesh, consider having Bill and Melinda Gates along. When the couple arrived in the city last week, its traffic-choked streets became 60mph thoroughfares lined by curious masses and secured by rooftop sharpshooters. The airport operated at the convenience of the entourage, and the government arranged to have the tarmac festooned with huge portraits and a welcome sign reading LONG LIVE BILL AND MELINDA GATES!
Dec. 19, 2005 issue - Next time you visit Dhaka, Bangladesh, consider having Bill and Melinda Gates along. When the couple arrived in the city last week, its traffic-choked streets became 60mph thoroughfares lined by curious masses and secured by rooftop sharpshooters. The airport operated at the convenience of the entourage, and the government arranged to have the tarmac festooned with huge portraits and a welcome sign reading LONG LIVE BILL AND MELINDA GATES!
IR // News // Think we�ve got it bad? Historians say past eras were worseThink we’ve got it bad? Historians say past eras were worse
By The Associated Press - 12/11/05
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Terrorist attacks, a war in Iraq and natural disasters aren’t so bad compared to other tough times in America’s past, from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War, history professors say.
Asked to compare eight difficult periods of the nation’s history, 46 percent of the 354 professors who responded to a nationwide survey agreed the current era was the least trying. The Civil War, 55 percent said, was the toughest.
Researchers at the Siena Research Institute of Siena College came up with the survey after hearing students comment they felt today’s era was one of the most trying in America’s history.
‘‘It’s an issue of perspective,’’ said Thomas Kelly, a professor emeritus of history and American studies at Siena who helped conduct the survey, which was released Thursday.
‘‘With very few exceptions most generations have confronted enormous kinds of problems and have to greater or lesser degrees coped,’’ he said.
Next to the Civil War — which threatened the nation’s very existence and cost the lives of more than 600,000 people — the poll found the Revolutionary War and the Great Depression to be the most trying, followed by Vietnam and the Cultural Revolution, World War II, the Cold War, World War I and today.
Kristina Hicks, 20, a Siena junior, said that while it’s true most of today’s Americans have not had to sacrifice like previous generations did, she disagrees with the poll’s findings.
‘‘I definitely think today is one of most trying times,’’ she said. ‘‘When I read about things like 9/11 and the war in Iraq in textbooks, it doesn’t actually portray the whole picture of what happened.’’
The survey was mailed to each of the roughly 2,500 American colleges and universities with a history department, Kelly said.
By The Associated Press - 12/11/05
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Terrorist attacks, a war in Iraq and natural disasters aren’t so bad compared to other tough times in America’s past, from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War, history professors say.
Asked to compare eight difficult periods of the nation’s history, 46 percent of the 354 professors who responded to a nationwide survey agreed the current era was the least trying. The Civil War, 55 percent said, was the toughest.
Researchers at the Siena Research Institute of Siena College came up with the survey after hearing students comment they felt today’s era was one of the most trying in America’s history.
‘‘It’s an issue of perspective,’’ said Thomas Kelly, a professor emeritus of history and American studies at Siena who helped conduct the survey, which was released Thursday.
‘‘With very few exceptions most generations have confronted enormous kinds of problems and have to greater or lesser degrees coped,’’ he said.
Next to the Civil War — which threatened the nation’s very existence and cost the lives of more than 600,000 people — the poll found the Revolutionary War and the Great Depression to be the most trying, followed by Vietnam and the Cultural Revolution, World War II, the Cold War, World War I and today.
Kristina Hicks, 20, a Siena junior, said that while it’s true most of today’s Americans have not had to sacrifice like previous generations did, she disagrees with the poll’s findings.
‘‘I definitely think today is one of most trying times,’’ she said. ‘‘When I read about things like 9/11 and the war in Iraq in textbooks, it doesn’t actually portray the whole picture of what happened.’’
The survey was mailed to each of the roughly 2,500 American colleges and universities with a history department, Kelly said.
Friday, December 09, 2005
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Muslim leaders warn of 'crisis': "The Mecca Declaration, read out at the end of the summit's final session, warned of the dangers of Islamic extremism.
'The Islamic nation is in a crisis. This crisis does not reflect on the present alone, but also on its future and the future of humanity at large,' it said.
'We need decisive action to fight deviant ideas because they are the justification of terrorism. We are determined to fight terrorism in all its forms.'
The member states promised to change laws to criminalise the financing and incitement of terrorism.
'Islam is the religion of moderation. It rejects extremism and isolation. There is a need to confront deviant ideology where it appears, including in school curricula. Islam is the religion of diversity and tolerance,' the statement added.
'Irreversible' pledges "
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference statement urges decisive action to fight "deviant ideas".
The meeting in the holy Muslim city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia called for changes in national laws to criminalise financing and incitement of terrorism.
It also called for new school curricula to purge extremist ideas.
The declaration also said that fatwas, or Islamic religious edicts, must only be issued by those who are authorised to do so.
'The Islamic nation is in a crisis. This crisis does not reflect on the present alone, but also on its future and the future of humanity at large,' it said.
'We need decisive action to fight deviant ideas because they are the justification of terrorism. We are determined to fight terrorism in all its forms.'
The member states promised to change laws to criminalise the financing and incitement of terrorism.
'Islam is the religion of moderation. It rejects extremism and isolation. There is a need to confront deviant ideology where it appears, including in school curricula. Islam is the religion of diversity and tolerance,' the statement added.
'Irreversible' pledges "
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference statement urges decisive action to fight "deviant ideas".
The meeting in the holy Muslim city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia called for changes in national laws to criminalise financing and incitement of terrorism.
It also called for new school curricula to purge extremist ideas.
The declaration also said that fatwas, or Islamic religious edicts, must only be issued by those who are authorised to do so.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Ukraine considers storing foreign nuclear waste at Chernobyl - Yahoo! News: "KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine will consider storing nuclear waste from abroad at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, the site of the world's worst civilian nuclear disaster, President Viktor Yushchenko said.
'Politically, we have to study this question,' Yushchenko was quoted as saying after visiting the plant in the north of the country.
'Undoubtedly, there can be economic feasibility... so we have to think hard before making a political decision,' Interfax quoted him as saying.
Chernobyl's number-four reactor, in what was then the Soviet Union and is now Ukraine, exploded on April 26, 1986, sending a radioactive cloud across Europe.
Following the disaster, a concrete sarcophagus was built over the stricken reactor and a new 20,000-tonne steel case to cover the whole plant is planned on being constructed between 2008 and 2009.
The power station was eventually shut down on December 15, 2000."
'Politically, we have to study this question,' Yushchenko was quoted as saying after visiting the plant in the north of the country.
'Undoubtedly, there can be economic feasibility... so we have to think hard before making a political decision,' Interfax quoted him as saying.
Chernobyl's number-four reactor, in what was then the Soviet Union and is now Ukraine, exploded on April 26, 1986, sending a radioactive cloud across Europe.
Following the disaster, a concrete sarcophagus was built over the stricken reactor and a new 20,000-tonne steel case to cover the whole plant is planned on being constructed between 2008 and 2009.
The power station was eventually shut down on December 15, 2000."
Why the Screwball Gets the Girl - And other news from science and technology. By William�Saletan: "Schizophrenic genes may be sexually advantageous. A study indicates that creative people and unconventional thinkers get more sex partners. Previous studies showed that creative people are more likely than others to be schizophrenic or have schizophrenic relatives. Authors' hypothesis: Schizophrenia is disadvantageous to passing on your genes, but if you don't get the full-blown disease, schizophrenia-related genes that cause unconventional thinking make you more attractive, and that's why the genes and the disease persist."
Monday, December 05, 2005
Instant Millions Can't Halt Winners' Grim Slide - New York Times: "In 2003, just three years after cashing in his winning ticket, Mr. Metcalf died of complications relating to alcoholism at the age of 45. Then on the day before Thanksgiving, Ms. Merida's partly decomposed body was found in her bed. Authorities said they have found no evidence of foul play and are looking into the possibility of a drug overdose. She was 51.
Ms. Merida's death remains under investigation, and large parts of both her and Mr. Metcalf's lives remain wrapped in mystery. But some of their friends and relatives said they thought the moral of their stories was clear.
'Any problems people have, money magnifies it so much, it's unbelievable,' said Robert Merida, one of Ms. Merida's three brothers.
Mr. Metcalf's first wife, Marilyn Collins, said: 'If he hadn't won, he would have worked like regular people and maybe had 20 years left. But when you put that kind of money in the hands of somebody with problems, it just helps them kill themselves.'"
Ms. Merida's death remains under investigation, and large parts of both her and Mr. Metcalf's lives remain wrapped in mystery. But some of their friends and relatives said they thought the moral of their stories was clear.
'Any problems people have, money magnifies it so much, it's unbelievable,' said Robert Merida, one of Ms. Merida's three brothers.
Mr. Metcalf's first wife, Marilyn Collins, said: 'If he hadn't won, he would have worked like regular people and maybe had 20 years left. But when you put that kind of money in the hands of somebody with problems, it just helps them kill themselves.'"
This Season's War Cry: Commercialize Christmas, or Else - New York Times: "By the 1920's, the retail industry had adopted Christmas as its own, sponsoring annual ceremonies to kick off the 'Christmas shopping season.'
Religious leaders objected strongly. The Christmas that emerged had an inherent tension: merchants tried to make it about buying, while clergymen tried to keep commerce out. A 1931 Times roundup of Christmas sermons reported a common theme: 'the suggestion that Christmas could not survive if Christ were thrust into the background by materialism.' A 1953 Methodist sermon broadcast on NBC - typical of countless such sermons - lamented that Christmas had become a 'profit-seeking period.' This ethic found popular expression in 'A Charlie Brown Christmas.' In the 1965 TV special, Charlie Brown ignores Lucy's advice to 'get the biggest aluminum tree you can find' and her assertion that Christmas is 'a big commercial racket,' and finds a more spiritual way to observe the day.
This year's Christmas 'defenders' are not just tolerating commercialization - they're insisting on it. They are also rewriting Christmas history on another key point: non-Christians' objection to having the holiday forced on them.
The campaign's leaders insist this is a new phenomenon - a 'liberal plot,' in Mr. Gibson's words. But as early as 1906, the Committee on Elementary Schools in New York City urged that Christmas hymns be banned from the classroom, after a boycott by more than 20,000 Jewish students. In 1946, the Rabbinical Assembly of America declared that calling on Jewish children to sing Christmas carols was 'an infringement on their rights as Americans.'"
Religious leaders objected strongly. The Christmas that emerged had an inherent tension: merchants tried to make it about buying, while clergymen tried to keep commerce out. A 1931 Times roundup of Christmas sermons reported a common theme: 'the suggestion that Christmas could not survive if Christ were thrust into the background by materialism.' A 1953 Methodist sermon broadcast on NBC - typical of countless such sermons - lamented that Christmas had become a 'profit-seeking period.' This ethic found popular expression in 'A Charlie Brown Christmas.' In the 1965 TV special, Charlie Brown ignores Lucy's advice to 'get the biggest aluminum tree you can find' and her assertion that Christmas is 'a big commercial racket,' and finds a more spiritual way to observe the day.
This year's Christmas 'defenders' are not just tolerating commercialization - they're insisting on it. They are also rewriting Christmas history on another key point: non-Christians' objection to having the holiday forced on them.
The campaign's leaders insist this is a new phenomenon - a 'liberal plot,' in Mr. Gibson's words. But as early as 1906, the Committee on Elementary Schools in New York City urged that Christmas hymns be banned from the classroom, after a boycott by more than 20,000 Jewish students. In 1946, the Rabbinical Assembly of America declared that calling on Jewish children to sing Christmas carols was 'an infringement on their rights as Americans.'"
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The Smirking Chimp: "we have been told incessantly since 9/11 by George W. Bush and his fellow jackals that a citizen's utmost patriotic duty, other than shopping, is to be very, very afraid"
"terrorists hate us for our freedoms," thereby requiring America to shovel tons of cash to weapons manufacturers to thwart suicide bombers who target us solely because our liberties are, by their nature, provocative.
"terrorists hate us for our freedoms," thereby requiring America to shovel tons of cash to weapons manufacturers to thwart suicide bombers who target us solely because our liberties are, by their nature, provocative.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Experts: Introverted youth have deep roots for behavior - Yahoo! News: "Introverted children enjoy the internal world of thoughts, feelings and fantasies, and there's a physiological reason for this. Researchers using brain scans have found introverts have more brain activity in general, and specifically in the frontal lobes. When these areas are activated, introverts are energized by retrieving long-term memories, problem solving, introspection, complex thinking and planning"
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Yahoo! News Message Boards World News: "So here is how it will play out in Iraq
The conservative Shiites, who Bush is backing, will try to gather as much power, weakening the Sunnis and Kurds and making a grab for a Islamic (As opposed to an Arab) state... much like there is in Iran.
The Sunnis will resist as will the less conservative Shiites, so it will be a civil war... defacto if not in name. The Kurds will sit on the sidelines defending themselves if attacked but waiting for a chance to split off from the fractured state and become independent.
That will anger the Turks, which is a whole other story...
And for all of this we get to blame Bush. The situation was stable under Saddam and it certainly is not now...That is not to say Saddam was a good guy, he wasn't, and the US knew that when they installed him, but he knew enough about the people to be able to keep things stable. (See background here: http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html ) "
The conservative Shiites, who Bush is backing, will try to gather as much power, weakening the Sunnis and Kurds and making a grab for a Islamic (As opposed to an Arab) state... much like there is in Iran.
The Sunnis will resist as will the less conservative Shiites, so it will be a civil war... defacto if not in name. The Kurds will sit on the sidelines defending themselves if attacked but waiting for a chance to split off from the fractured state and become independent.
That will anger the Turks, which is a whole other story...
And for all of this we get to blame Bush. The situation was stable under Saddam and it certainly is not now...That is not to say Saddam was a good guy, he wasn't, and the US knew that when they installed him, but he knew enough about the people to be able to keep things stable. (See background here: http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html ) "
Wired News: The Toy Will Bring You Joy: "Once the phone finds The Toy, you're ready to roll. The vibrator responds to text messages as long as they start with '.toy' followed by a space. I followed the directions exactly and sent my first message: '.toy Hi baby.'"
Toy is intended for use when you're away from your partner, whether you're traveling or just going to the office. "Imagine leaving for work, The Toy in place," the manufacturer's copywriter gushes. "Imagine the thrill of receiving a message. Imagine the hunger for that first one
No man wants to pleasure his partner long-distance all day, only to find her nerves deadened and her response exhausted when he joins her in bed at night!
As for connecting the vibration to SMS, it's brilliant. Not because each character in the message can trigger 45 possible vibration effects, but because of the attention required to set off those effects. Each incoming message tells a woman that her partner is thinking about her, and imagining her in a sexual way. Each message communicates that he finds her desirable and sexy.
By evening, she's likely to be feeling amorous from the erotic interaction and the naughtiness of it all. And, of course, aware of her vagina.
Toy is intended for use when you're away from your partner, whether you're traveling or just going to the office. "Imagine leaving for work, The Toy in place," the manufacturer's copywriter gushes. "Imagine the thrill of receiving a message. Imagine the hunger for that first one
No man wants to pleasure his partner long-distance all day, only to find her nerves deadened and her response exhausted when he joins her in bed at night!
As for connecting the vibration to SMS, it's brilliant. Not because each character in the message can trigger 45 possible vibration effects, but because of the attention required to set off those effects. Each incoming message tells a woman that her partner is thinking about her, and imagining her in a sexual way. Each message communicates that he finds her desirable and sexy.
By evening, she's likely to be feeling amorous from the erotic interaction and the naughtiness of it all. And, of course, aware of her vagina.
Friday, November 25, 2005
INSIDE JoongAng Daily: "Putting the ��liberal' in liberal arts
November 25, 2005 ��
If majoring in philosophy gives a student all the skills he needs to cope with his impending poverty, what kind of skills does a student majoring in pure love learn? How about a major in magic? Mixed martial arts? Motor sports, health diets, 'make-up coordinator' or barrista sciences?"
College is indeed getting weird, and for good reason: weird majors attract students. Unconventional departments not only allow schools to offer their students more choices, but also enable the schools to build reputations for themselves in educational niches. Doing so might attract criticism ¡ª students do, after all, face a tough job market ¡ª but Lee Seung-ju, the spokesman of the Korean Council for College Education, said that majors that appear frivolous might be needed sooner than people realize.
It might be that the tough job market is encouraging students to look into more eccentric professions. The youth unemployment rate stood at 7.2 percent as of last month, and the Federation of Korean Industries has issued statements decrying the difficulty of finding talented college graduates who can immediately enter the workforce.
But if there's a pure love industry, it must be ecstatic.
November 25, 2005 ��
If majoring in philosophy gives a student all the skills he needs to cope with his impending poverty, what kind of skills does a student majoring in pure love learn? How about a major in magic? Mixed martial arts? Motor sports, health diets, 'make-up coordinator' or barrista sciences?"
College is indeed getting weird, and for good reason: weird majors attract students. Unconventional departments not only allow schools to offer their students more choices, but also enable the schools to build reputations for themselves in educational niches. Doing so might attract criticism ¡ª students do, after all, face a tough job market ¡ª but Lee Seung-ju, the spokesman of the Korean Council for College Education, said that majors that appear frivolous might be needed sooner than people realize.
It might be that the tough job market is encouraging students to look into more eccentric professions. The youth unemployment rate stood at 7.2 percent as of last month, and the Federation of Korean Industries has issued statements decrying the difficulty of finding talented college graduates who can immediately enter the workforce.
But if there's a pure love industry, it must be ecstatic.
INSIDE JoongAng Daily: "Department of Butt-whoopin'
Kyungbuk College of Science is also offering a major in a sport that's rapidly becoming popular in Korea: mixed martial arts, better known as K-1 in Japan. The school's Division of Leisure Sports and Recreation started offering the major this year. Eighty student have so far signed up.
'Mixed martial arts, including K-1 and PRIDE Fighting Championships, have been popular in other countries like Japan, the States and Russia for the last 10 years,' said Hong Young-kyu, professor of the department. 'Korea is a bit behind.'
'Noting that K-1 is a mixture of various martial arts, the school thought that it would be good to have such a major,' Mr. Hong added.
The problem is that there are not many experts in K-1. Mr. Hong is just one of a small number of professors who can teach martial arts, having studied it for about 15 years. He teaches Brazilian jiujitsu and Russia's combat sambo style. The school also teaches Thai and Japanese kick-boxing in addition to taekwondo and hapkido, both of which are Korean martial arts.
Department of Chastity
Men like Lee Il-jae, however, aren't fighters: they're lovers. Specifically, Pure Lovers.
Mr. Lee is a professor at the Department of Pure Love at Sunmoon University (which was established by Moon Sun-myung's Unification Church). The love taught here is considered 'pure' because it emphasizes abstinence before marriage, although it also teaches students about contraception.
'Society is extremely open about sex and pure values seem to have eroded,' Mr. Lee said. 'We teach people about sex by showing them true moral values.' The education is based on the values of the Unification Church, Mr. Lee added. The church emphasizes the value of virginity prior to marriage.
Department of Butt-whoopin'
Kyungbuk College of Science is also offering a major in a sport that's rapidly becoming popular in Korea: mixed martial arts, better known as K-1 in Japan. The school's Division of Leisure Sports and Recreation started offering the major this year. Eighty student have so far signed up.
"Mixed martial arts, including K-1 and PRIDE Fighting Championships, have been popular in other countries like Japan, the States and Russia for the last 10 years," said Hong Young-kyu, professor of the department. "Korea is a bit behind."
"Noting that K-1 is a mixture of various martial arts, the school thought that it would be good to have such a major," Mr. Hong added.
The problem is that there are not many experts in K-1. Mr. Hong is just one of a small number of professors who can teach martial arts, having studied it for about 15 years. He teaches Brazilian jiujitsu and Russia's combat sambo style. The school also teaches Thai and Japanese kick-boxing in addition to taekwondo and hapkido, both of which are Korean martial arts.
Department of Chastity
Men like Lee Il-jae, however, aren't fighters: they're lovers. Specifically, Pure Lovers.
Mr. Lee is a professor at the Department of Pure Love at Sunmoon University (which was established by Moon Sun-myung's Unification Church). The love taught here is considered "pure" because it emphasizes abstinence before marriage, although it also teaches students about contraception.
"Society is extremely open about sex and pure values seem to have eroded," Mr. Lee said. "We teach people about sex by showing them true moral values." The education is based on the values of the Unification Church, Mr. Lee added. The church emphasizes the value of virginity prior to marriage.
The students learn how to deal with victims of sexual violence, and to teach sex education to middle and high school students. Mr. Lee said about 60 percent of the course graduates are working abroad for the church teaching sex education or doing missionary work.
Lee Jung-won, 24, the first male student in the department, said he applied for the Pure Love major after learning that purity is not only about virginity but also about living an honest and pure life.
And after graduation?
Kyungbuk College of Science is also offering a major in a sport that's rapidly becoming popular in Korea: mixed martial arts, better known as K-1 in Japan. The school's Division of Leisure Sports and Recreation started offering the major this year. Eighty student have so far signed up.
'Mixed martial arts, including K-1 and PRIDE Fighting Championships, have been popular in other countries like Japan, the States and Russia for the last 10 years,' said Hong Young-kyu, professor of the department. 'Korea is a bit behind.'
'Noting that K-1 is a mixture of various martial arts, the school thought that it would be good to have such a major,' Mr. Hong added.
The problem is that there are not many experts in K-1. Mr. Hong is just one of a small number of professors who can teach martial arts, having studied it for about 15 years. He teaches Brazilian jiujitsu and Russia's combat sambo style. The school also teaches Thai and Japanese kick-boxing in addition to taekwondo and hapkido, both of which are Korean martial arts.
Department of Chastity
Men like Lee Il-jae, however, aren't fighters: they're lovers. Specifically, Pure Lovers.
Mr. Lee is a professor at the Department of Pure Love at Sunmoon University (which was established by Moon Sun-myung's Unification Church). The love taught here is considered 'pure' because it emphasizes abstinence before marriage, although it also teaches students about contraception.
'Society is extremely open about sex and pure values seem to have eroded,' Mr. Lee said. 'We teach people about sex by showing them true moral values.' The education is based on the values of the Unification Church, Mr. Lee added. The church emphasizes the value of virginity prior to marriage.
Department of Butt-whoopin'
Kyungbuk College of Science is also offering a major in a sport that's rapidly becoming popular in Korea: mixed martial arts, better known as K-1 in Japan. The school's Division of Leisure Sports and Recreation started offering the major this year. Eighty student have so far signed up.
"Mixed martial arts, including K-1 and PRIDE Fighting Championships, have been popular in other countries like Japan, the States and Russia for the last 10 years," said Hong Young-kyu, professor of the department. "Korea is a bit behind."
"Noting that K-1 is a mixture of various martial arts, the school thought that it would be good to have such a major," Mr. Hong added.
The problem is that there are not many experts in K-1. Mr. Hong is just one of a small number of professors who can teach martial arts, having studied it for about 15 years. He teaches Brazilian jiujitsu and Russia's combat sambo style. The school also teaches Thai and Japanese kick-boxing in addition to taekwondo and hapkido, both of which are Korean martial arts.
Department of Chastity
Men like Lee Il-jae, however, aren't fighters: they're lovers. Specifically, Pure Lovers.
Mr. Lee is a professor at the Department of Pure Love at Sunmoon University (which was established by Moon Sun-myung's Unification Church). The love taught here is considered "pure" because it emphasizes abstinence before marriage, although it also teaches students about contraception.
"Society is extremely open about sex and pure values seem to have eroded," Mr. Lee said. "We teach people about sex by showing them true moral values." The education is based on the values of the Unification Church, Mr. Lee added. The church emphasizes the value of virginity prior to marriage.
The students learn how to deal with victims of sexual violence, and to teach sex education to middle and high school students. Mr. Lee said about 60 percent of the course graduates are working abroad for the church teaching sex education or doing missionary work.
Lee Jung-won, 24, the first male student in the department, said he applied for the Pure Love major after learning that purity is not only about virginity but also about living an honest and pure life.
And after graduation?
Drug Smuggler Crowned Miss Penitentiary - Yahoo! News: "SAO PAULO, Brazil - South America's latest beauty queen won't be campaigning abroad for world peace any time soon, unless, of course, she's granted early parole.
Angelica Mazua, a statuesque Angolan serving five years on international drug smuggling charges, on Thursday was voted Miss Penitentiary 2005 after a six-hour contest pitting 40 women inmates from 10 prisons around Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo."
The women, serving sentences for crimes from armed robbery to drug trafficking, were vying to be named Miss Penitentiary 2005 — a title that brings a $160 prize and a break from dreary routine.
Last year's winner, Fernanda Maria de Jesus, gained early release months after her victory, but prison officials insist the shortened sentence had nothing to do with her winning the title.
Prison officials came up with the idea of a beauty contest last year as a way of trying to boost inmates' self-confidence. Judges include celebrities, soccer players and journalists, and there are prizes in three other categories, writing, public speaking and congeniality.
Peru and Colombia also hold beauty contests in prisons. Sao Paulo's is one of the largest, drawing from its female population of almost 4,000 inmates
Angelica Mazua, a statuesque Angolan serving five years on international drug smuggling charges, on Thursday was voted Miss Penitentiary 2005 after a six-hour contest pitting 40 women inmates from 10 prisons around Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo."
The women, serving sentences for crimes from armed robbery to drug trafficking, were vying to be named Miss Penitentiary 2005 — a title that brings a $160 prize and a break from dreary routine.
Last year's winner, Fernanda Maria de Jesus, gained early release months after her victory, but prison officials insist the shortened sentence had nothing to do with her winning the title.
Prison officials came up with the idea of a beauty contest last year as a way of trying to boost inmates' self-confidence. Judges include celebrities, soccer players and journalists, and there are prizes in three other categories, writing, public speaking and congeniality.
Peru and Colombia also hold beauty contests in prisons. Sao Paulo's is one of the largest, drawing from its female population of almost 4,000 inmates
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Wired 13.12: Who's Afraid of Google? Everyone.: "It seems no one is safe: Google is doing Wi-Fi; Google is searching inside books; Google has a plan for ecommerce.
Of course, Google has always wanted to be more than a search engine. Even in the early days, its ultimate goal was extravagant: to organize the world's information. High-minded as that sounds, Google's ever-expanding agenda has put it on a collision course with nearly every company in the information technology industry: Amazon.com, Comcast, eBay, Yahoo!, even Microsoft"
Of course, Google has always wanted to be more than a search engine. Even in the early days, its ultimate goal was extravagant: to organize the world's information. High-minded as that sounds, Google's ever-expanding agenda has put it on a collision course with nearly every company in the information technology industry: Amazon.com, Comcast, eBay, Yahoo!, even Microsoft"
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
AP Wire | 11/22/2005 | Bonita Springs man accidentally hit in genitals by Taser: "Bonita Springs man accidentally hit in genitals by Taser
Associated Press
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - A naked man was accidentally shocked in the genitals by a Taser after he was found breaking windows and asking women to touch him inappropriately, police said.
Jeremy J. Miljour, 26, of Bonita Springs, attempted to run when approached by Lee County sheriff's deputies Saturday. When he ignored requested to stop, Deputy Daniel Hollywood shot Miljour with a Taser."
Associated Press
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - A naked man was accidentally shocked in the genitals by a Taser after he was found breaking windows and asking women to touch him inappropriately, police said.
Jeremy J. Miljour, 26, of Bonita Springs, attempted to run when approached by Lee County sheriff's deputies Saturday. When he ignored requested to stop, Deputy Daniel Hollywood shot Miljour with a Taser."
Monday, November 21, 2005
Conscious Machines Will Fill The Universe: "Go out to all the world and Preach, posted 21 Nov 2005 at 10:09 CST by cat � (Apprentice)
There are so many religions in the world and each say they have the one true God. What difference would one more or less religion matter? Why couldn't this be a religion? We are fulfilling out destiny
Reply... "
There are so many religions in the world and each say they have the one true God. What difference would one more or less religion matter? Why couldn't this be a religion? We are fulfilling out destiny
Reply... "
Saturday, November 19, 2005
The Smirking Chimp: "Rep. John Murtha, the decorated Vietnam and Korean War Marine vet and conservative Pennsylvania Democrat who stunned Bush administration and Republican congressional warhawks and Democratic go-alongs like Sens. Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden alike with his call for an immediate U.S. pullout from Iraq, left unsaid one important word in his dramatic turnaround announcement: defeat. "
Conscious Machines Will Fill The Universe: "In the Novemeber issue of ACM's Ubiquity, Subhash Kak of Louisiana State University asks if 'humans will eventually create silicon machines with minds that will slowly spread all over the world, and the entire universe will eventually become a conscious machine?' Along the way he ponders whether consciousness is outside the pale of science altogether and whether the brain is an 'ordinary' machine or a very special type of machine. He covers a lot of ground and a lot of theories of intelligence and consciousness. He notes in the end that 'if machines with consciousness are created, they would be living machines, that is, variations on life forms as we know them.' "
Friday, November 18, 2005
Yahoo! Health News: Scientists find gene for fear in the brain: "Scientists may have found a gene for fear -- a gene that controls production of a protein in the region of the brain linked with fearful responses.
Their finding, published on Thursday, could lead to new treatments for mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety.
The gene, known as stathmin or oncoprotein 18, is highly concentrated in the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, the researchers report in Thursday's issue of the journal Cell.
'This is a major advance in the field of learning and memory that will allow for a better understanding of post- traumatic stress disorder, phobias, borderline personality disorder and other human anxiety diseases,' said Gleb Shumyatsky of Rutgers University in New Jersey, who worked on the study.
'It will provide important information on how learned and innate fear is experienced and processed, and may point the way to apply new therapies.'
Mice genetically engineered so they would not produce stathmin had brain irregularities and were less able to remember fear-conditioned responses, the researchers reported.
Learned fear develops after conditioning -- as when a person is stung by a wasp and fears the insects afterward. These memories are formed in the amygdala."
This is the first time it has been shown that the protein called stathmin -- the product of the stathmin gene -- is linked to fear conditioning pathways," said Vadim Bolshakov, director of the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory at Harvard University's McLean Hospital, who also worked on the study.
Also, the mice showed unusual behavior. Mice instinctively avoid open spaces, but the stathmin-free mice showed no fear and often explored more open areas than normal mice, the researchers found.
So the gene may control both learned and innate fear, the researchers said.
The mice might be useful for testing drugs and other treatments of anxiety disorders, they said.
Their finding, published on Thursday, could lead to new treatments for mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety.
The gene, known as stathmin or oncoprotein 18, is highly concentrated in the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, the researchers report in Thursday's issue of the journal Cell.
'This is a major advance in the field of learning and memory that will allow for a better understanding of post- traumatic stress disorder, phobias, borderline personality disorder and other human anxiety diseases,' said Gleb Shumyatsky of Rutgers University in New Jersey, who worked on the study.
'It will provide important information on how learned and innate fear is experienced and processed, and may point the way to apply new therapies.'
Mice genetically engineered so they would not produce stathmin had brain irregularities and were less able to remember fear-conditioned responses, the researchers reported.
Learned fear develops after conditioning -- as when a person is stung by a wasp and fears the insects afterward. These memories are formed in the amygdala."
This is the first time it has been shown that the protein called stathmin -- the product of the stathmin gene -- is linked to fear conditioning pathways," said Vadim Bolshakov, director of the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory at Harvard University's McLean Hospital, who also worked on the study.
Also, the mice showed unusual behavior. Mice instinctively avoid open spaces, but the stathmin-free mice showed no fear and often explored more open areas than normal mice, the researchers found.
So the gene may control both learned and innate fear, the researchers said.
The mice might be useful for testing drugs and other treatments of anxiety disorders, they said.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
A low-cost laptop for every child - Yahoo! News: "So far, the MIT group has whittled production costs down to less than $130.
To save money, it will run off the free Linux operating system instead of a proprietary system like Microsoft Windows. But the proposed machine will be full-color, capable of wireless connection to the Internet, and rugged enough to survive getting dropped in the mud.
Five corporate sponsors, including Google and Advanced Micro Devices, have chipped in $2 million apiece to form a nonprofit group, One Laptop Per Child, to oversee the project.
Nearly a half-dozen developing countries have expressed serious interest in ordering 1 million or more units, says Alexandra Kahn, spokeswoman for the MIT Media Lab.
Also, the UN Development Program has agreed to help distribute the machines, particularly to countries whose orders fall short of the million-unit bar Negroponte had originally set to help keep costs down.
American students could benefit, too."
To save money, it will run off the free Linux operating system instead of a proprietary system like Microsoft Windows. But the proposed machine will be full-color, capable of wireless connection to the Internet, and rugged enough to survive getting dropped in the mud.
Five corporate sponsors, including Google and Advanced Micro Devices, have chipped in $2 million apiece to form a nonprofit group, One Laptop Per Child, to oversee the project.
Nearly a half-dozen developing countries have expressed serious interest in ordering 1 million or more units, says Alexandra Kahn, spokeswoman for the MIT Media Lab.
Also, the UN Development Program has agreed to help distribute the machines, particularly to countries whose orders fall short of the million-unit bar Negroponte had originally set to help keep costs down.
American students could benefit, too."
Saturday, November 12, 2005
'The Matrix' is a step closer to reality; Neuroscientists break code on sight: "Now, neuroscientists in the McGovern Institute at MIT have been able to decipher a part of the code involved in recognizing visual objects. Practically speaking, computer algorithms used in artificial vision systems might benefit from mimicking these newly uncovered codes.
The study, a collaboration between James DiCarlo's and Tomaso Poggio's labs, appears in the Nov. 4 issue of Science.
'We want to know how the brain works to create intelligence,' said Poggio, the Eugene McDermott Professor in Brain Sciences and Human Behavior. 'Our ability to recognize objects in the visual world is among the most complex problems the brain must solve. Computationally, it is much harder than reasoning.' Yet we take it for granted because it appears to happen automatically and almost unconsciously.
'This work enhances our understanding of how the brain encodes visual information in a useful format for brain regions involved in action, planning and memory,' said DiCarlo, an assistant professor of neuroscience. "
The study, a collaboration between James DiCarlo's and Tomaso Poggio's labs, appears in the Nov. 4 issue of Science.
'We want to know how the brain works to create intelligence,' said Poggio, the Eugene McDermott Professor in Brain Sciences and Human Behavior. 'Our ability to recognize objects in the visual world is among the most complex problems the brain must solve. Computationally, it is much harder than reasoning.' Yet we take it for granted because it appears to happen automatically and almost unconsciously.
'This work enhances our understanding of how the brain encodes visual information in a useful format for brain regions involved in action, planning and memory,' said DiCarlo, an assistant professor of neuroscience. "
Friday, November 04, 2005
Want 'War and Peace' Online? How About 20 Pages at a Time? - New York Times: "The idea is to do for books what Apple has done for music, allowing readers to buy and download parts of individual books for their own use through their computers rather than trek to a store or receive them by mail. Consumers could purchase a single recipe from a cookbook, for example, or a chapter on rebuilding a car engine from a repair manual.
The initiatives are already setting off a tug of war among publishers and the potential vendors over who will do business with whom and how to split the proceeds. Random House, the biggest American publisher, proposed a micropayment model yesterday in which readers would be charged about 5 cents a page, with 4 cents of that going to the publisher to be shared with the author. The fact that Random House has already developed such a model indicates that it supports the concept, and that other publishers are likely to follow."
The initiatives are already setting off a tug of war among publishers and the potential vendors over who will do business with whom and how to split the proceeds. Random House, the biggest American publisher, proposed a micropayment model yesterday in which readers would be charged about 5 cents a page, with 4 cents of that going to the publisher to be shared with the author. The fact that Random House has already developed such a model indicates that it supports the concept, and that other publishers are likely to follow."
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Yahoo! News Message Boards World News: "AL QAEDA IS FULL OF CONSERVATIVES
by: cat00012000 (47/M/Missouri) 10/29/05 11:35 am
Msg: 497 of 497
They want to go back to the old way of life. They are fundementalists. How does it look on someone else? They're just like us except we use conventional forces and collateral damage "
by: cat00012000 (47/M/Missouri) 10/29/05 11:35 am
Msg: 497 of 497
They want to go back to the old way of life. They are fundementalists. How does it look on someone else? They're just like us except we use conventional forces and collateral damage "
Yahoo! News Message Boards World News: "TERRORISM, THE NEW WAY TO PEACE
by: cat00012000 (47/M/Missouri) 10/29/05 11:29 am
Msg: 436 of 436
You see conservatives saying it all the time. The way to peace is to prepare for war. Terrorism just makes armies obsolete. It takes the war home to the people that actually wage it, not their sons and daughters "
by: cat00012000 (47/M/Missouri) 10/29/05 11:29 am
Msg: 436 of 436
You see conservatives saying it all the time. The way to peace is to prepare for war. Terrorism just makes armies obsolete. It takes the war home to the people that actually wage it, not their sons and daughters "
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Robots May Allow Surgery in Space - Yahoo! News: "'We think this is going to replace open surgery,' Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov said at a Wednesday news conference. Oleynikov is a specialist in minimally invasive and computer-assisted surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha"
The views from the camera-carrying robots are better than the naked eye, Oleynikov said, because they send back color images that are magnified.
A robot capable of doing biopsies is in the works and another is being designed that can be inserted into a person's stomach via the esophagus.
The robots themselves currently cost about $200 each, Farritor said.
Initial plans call for each robot to be used once and then disposed of.
Eventually, Oleynikov said, the tiny robots may enable surgeons to work without ever placing their hands in patients' bodies.
"That's the goal," Oleynikov said. "It's getting easier and easier. We can do even more with these devices."
The views from the camera-carrying robots are better than the naked eye, Oleynikov said, because they send back color images that are magnified.
A robot capable of doing biopsies is in the works and another is being designed that can be inserted into a person's stomach via the esophagus.
The robots themselves currently cost about $200 each, Farritor said.
Initial plans call for each robot to be used once and then disposed of.
Eventually, Oleynikov said, the tiny robots may enable surgeons to work without ever placing their hands in patients' bodies.
"That's the goal," Oleynikov said. "It's getting easier and easier. We can do even more with these devices."
Technorati Search: robot: "Meet Dr. Robot: About the size of a lipstick case, it's able to drive around inside your body and serve as the eyes or hands of a surgeon who could be thousands of miles away"
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Drug Action Network: "'Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.'
- Abraham Lincoln Speech, 18 Dec. 1840 "
- Abraham Lincoln Speech, 18 Dec. 1840 "
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Good News For The Medical Marijuana Movement: pot Proliferates Brain Cells And Boosts Mood: "Most drugs of abuse decrease the generation of new neurons in the brain, but the effects of marijuana on this process, called neurogenesis, had not been clear. In a paper appearing online on October 13 in advance of print publication of the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Xia Zhang and colleagues from University of Saskatchewan show that a potent and synthetic cannabinoid promotes neurogenesis. This drug also exerts anti-anxiety and antidepressant-like effects. "
Friday, October 07, 2005
Google News - World: "BERLIN - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Director Mohamed ElBaradei and his organisation were announced Friday as joint winners of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize - a move which ElBaradei said came as 'an absolute surprise"
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Help for Info Age Have-Nots: "Computing and calling devices are only part of the efforts. Yahoo and Google (GOOG ) are in an arms race to expand the availability of services and information available online. On Oct. 3, Yahoo announced that it would follow Google's lead in indexing books with its own program, the Open Content Alliance.
Yahoo will fund a nonprofit group called the Internet Archive to scan the University of California's entire collection of American literature -- some 18,000 texts. Starting in October, the first of those texts will be available for search and download as PDF files on the Open Content Alliance Web site. In addition to funding the American literature component of the product, Yahoo will also power the search for all text and video that the Internet Archive aggregates for the library on Open Content Alliance site.
LET A MILLION BOOKS BLOOM. The project will do more than just give everyday Internet users full access to some of the world's classic works, says Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle. In addition to being available online, the digital books will be included on all of the archive's 'Bookmobiles' -- Internet-enabled trucks that print and bind books on demand for the poor and underprivileged.
Kahle says those trucks, which have been deployed as far away as Egypt and Uganda, are just the beginning. Using this print-on-demand technology, 'we want every school, and every neighborhood library to be a million-book library,' says Kahle.
Unlike Google's comparable Print for Libraries program, this scanned content won't sit on Yahoo's servers, and all search engines will be able to index the Open Content Alliance books. That stifles any chance of giving Yahoo a competitive edge in search. Yahoo hopes the Open Content Alliance will demonstrate its "
Yahoo hopes the Open Content Alliance will demonstrate its commitment to providing users with helpful services.
ONLINE ONE-UPMANSHIP. The project gives Yahoo an opportunity to show up archrival Google, argues Chris Charron, vice-president at Forrester Research. Google's Print program ruffled feathers of authors and publishers alike by saying it would scan copyrighted texts (see BW Online, 9/22/05, "For Google, Another Stormy Chapter"). Yahoo will stay out of the fray by scanning only out-of-copyright texts in the public domain.
Both Google and Yahoo, says Charron, "need to create a brand that is in sync with [their audience's] broader social motivations...and both are trying to one-up each other across a variety of different segments."
That's just one example of the way Yahoo's and Google's innovation war is benefiting the Net. Closer to home, Google is bidding to equip San Francisco with free, high-speed Internet access via Wi-Fi. It submitted a formal proposal in late September, along with several other companies, for a project estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars.
In April, 2005, Google teamed up with wireless startup Feeva to sponsor a Wi-Fi hot zone in San Francisco. The search giant likely has big plans: Analysts expect it might bankroll several Wi-Fi access points around the country, so it can better serve local advertising. If Google knows where a user is sitting while searching for, say, a restaurant, it can better target its advertising -- and charge restaurants within a certain radius a premium for such a qualified lead.
ALWAYS CONNECTED. Efforts like these take aim at a different type of Digital Divide than MIT is focusing on with its $100 laptop
Yahoo will fund a nonprofit group called the Internet Archive to scan the University of California's entire collection of American literature -- some 18,000 texts. Starting in October, the first of those texts will be available for search and download as PDF files on the Open Content Alliance Web site. In addition to funding the American literature component of the product, Yahoo will also power the search for all text and video that the Internet Archive aggregates for the library on Open Content Alliance site.
LET A MILLION BOOKS BLOOM. The project will do more than just give everyday Internet users full access to some of the world's classic works, says Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle. In addition to being available online, the digital books will be included on all of the archive's 'Bookmobiles' -- Internet-enabled trucks that print and bind books on demand for the poor and underprivileged.
Kahle says those trucks, which have been deployed as far away as Egypt and Uganda, are just the beginning. Using this print-on-demand technology, 'we want every school, and every neighborhood library to be a million-book library,' says Kahle.
Unlike Google's comparable Print for Libraries program, this scanned content won't sit on Yahoo's servers, and all search engines will be able to index the Open Content Alliance books. That stifles any chance of giving Yahoo a competitive edge in search. Yahoo hopes the Open Content Alliance will demonstrate its "
Yahoo hopes the Open Content Alliance will demonstrate its commitment to providing users with helpful services.
ONLINE ONE-UPMANSHIP. The project gives Yahoo an opportunity to show up archrival Google, argues Chris Charron, vice-president at Forrester Research. Google's Print program ruffled feathers of authors and publishers alike by saying it would scan copyrighted texts (see BW Online, 9/22/05, "For Google, Another Stormy Chapter"). Yahoo will stay out of the fray by scanning only out-of-copyright texts in the public domain.
Both Google and Yahoo, says Charron, "need to create a brand that is in sync with [their audience's] broader social motivations...and both are trying to one-up each other across a variety of different segments."
That's just one example of the way Yahoo's and Google's innovation war is benefiting the Net. Closer to home, Google is bidding to equip San Francisco with free, high-speed Internet access via Wi-Fi. It submitted a formal proposal in late September, along with several other companies, for a project estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars.
In April, 2005, Google teamed up with wireless startup Feeva to sponsor a Wi-Fi hot zone in San Francisco. The search giant likely has big plans: Analysts expect it might bankroll several Wi-Fi access points around the country, so it can better serve local advertising. If Google knows where a user is sitting while searching for, say, a restaurant, it can better target its advertising -- and charge restaurants within a certain radius a premium for such a qualified lead.
ALWAYS CONNECTED. Efforts like these take aim at a different type of Digital Divide than MIT is focusing on with its $100 laptop
A New Measure of Well-Being From a Happy Little Kingdom - New York Times:
By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: October 4, 2005
What is happiness? In the United States and in many other industrialized countries, it is often equated with money.
Economists measure consumer confidence on the assumption that the resulting figure says something about progress and public welfare. The gross domestic product, or G.D.P., is routinely used as shorthand for the well-being of a nation.
A Plateau of Happiness
The Second International Conference on Gross National Happiness
Discussion Papers on Gross National Happiness (from Center for Bhutanese Studies)
World Values Survey (from umich.edu) But the small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has been trying out a different idea.
In 1972, concerned about the problems afflicting other developing countries that focused only on economic growth, Bhutan's newly crowned leader, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decided to make his nation's priority not its G.D.P. but its G.N.H., or gross national happiness."
By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: October 4, 2005
What is happiness? In the United States and in many other industrialized countries, it is often equated with money.
Economists measure consumer confidence on the assumption that the resulting figure says something about progress and public welfare. The gross domestic product, or G.D.P., is routinely used as shorthand for the well-being of a nation.
A Plateau of Happiness
The Second International Conference on Gross National Happiness
Discussion Papers on Gross National Happiness (from Center for Bhutanese Studies)
World Values Survey (from umich.edu) But the small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has been trying out a different idea.
In 1972, concerned about the problems afflicting other developing countries that focused only on economic growth, Bhutan's newly crowned leader, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decided to make his nation's priority not its G.D.P. but its G.N.H., or gross national happiness."
Monday, October 03, 2005
sundaytimes.co.za :: Home of the Sunday Times :: South Africa's best selling newspaper ::: "PSYCHOLOGISTS and psychiatrists in South Africa have reported an alarming increase in the number of cases of teenagers mutilating themselves.
A counsellor for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Janine Shamos, said child abuse and neglect in situations where Aids decimates families, anxiety about exams and jobs, and peer pressure are among the triggers that provoke teenagers to try to escape their emotional pain by drawing blood.
Self-cutting is also a warning sign of underlying illnesses, such as personality and mood disorders and depression, said University of Cape Town psychologist Dr Helgo Schomer.
While stress fuels self-cutting and suicide � the fastest growing cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds in South Africa � self-mutilation is distinct from suicide.
Wits University psychologist Vanessa Hemp explained the motivation behind self-cutting as an attempt to feel better � not to end everything.
Hemp said increasing numbers of children with self-mutilation problems, were coming to the Tara/Alexandra Outpatient�s Clinic in Johannesburg, where she is based. �We see more and more girls and boys doing self-mutilation. This is generally about an inability to deal with difficult feelings ... Cutting is a form of release and control,� she said.
Although there are no figures to indicate how widespread such
self-harming behaviour is in South Africa, international studies indicate that about 18 out of 1000 people aged 15 to 35 harm themselves, and roughly half of all teenagers who are admitted for psychiatric treatment have injured themselves.
Shamos said: �When the emotional pain becomes immense, it is easier to deal with the physical pain. The cutting almost has a calming effect and can be addicti"
A counsellor for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Janine Shamos, said child abuse and neglect in situations where Aids decimates families, anxiety about exams and jobs, and peer pressure are among the triggers that provoke teenagers to try to escape their emotional pain by drawing blood.
Self-cutting is also a warning sign of underlying illnesses, such as personality and mood disorders and depression, said University of Cape Town psychologist Dr Helgo Schomer.
While stress fuels self-cutting and suicide � the fastest growing cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds in South Africa � self-mutilation is distinct from suicide.
Wits University psychologist Vanessa Hemp explained the motivation behind self-cutting as an attempt to feel better � not to end everything.
Hemp said increasing numbers of children with self-mutilation problems, were coming to the Tara/Alexandra Outpatient�s Clinic in Johannesburg, where she is based. �We see more and more girls and boys doing self-mutilation. This is generally about an inability to deal with difficult feelings ... Cutting is a form of release and control,� she said.
Although there are no figures to indicate how widespread such
self-harming behaviour is in South Africa, international studies indicate that about 18 out of 1000 people aged 15 to 35 harm themselves, and roughly half of all teenagers who are admitted for psychiatric treatment have injured themselves.
Shamos said: �When the emotional pain becomes immense, it is easier to deal with the physical pain. The cutting almost has a calming effect and can be addicti"
sundaytimes.co.za :: Home of the Sunday Times :: South Africa's best selling newspaper ::: "PSYCHOLOGISTS and psychiatrists in South Africa have reported an alarming increase in the number of cases of teenagers mutilating themselves.
A counsellor for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Janine Shamos, said child abuse and neglect in situations where Aids decimates families, anxiety about exams and jobs, and peer pressure are among the triggers that provoke teenagers to try to escape their emotional pain by drawing blood.
Self-cutting is also a warning sign of underlying illnesses, such as personality and mood disorders and depression, said University of Cape Town psychologist Dr Helgo Schomer.
While stress fuels self-cutting and suicide � the fastest growing cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds in South Africa � self-mutilation is distinct from suicide.
Wits University psychologist Vanessa Hemp explained the motivation behind self-cutting as an attempt to feel better � not to end everything.
Hemp said increasing numbers of children with self-mutilation problems, were coming to the Tara/Alexandra Outpatient�s Clinic in Johannesburg, where she is based. �We see more and more girls and boys doing self-mutilation. This is generally about an inability to deal with difficult feelings ... Cutting is a form of release and control,� she said.
Although there are no figures to indicate how widespread such
self-harming behaviour is in South Africa, international studies indicate that about 18 out of 1000 people aged 15 to 35 harm themselves, and roughly half of all teenagers who are admitted for psychiatric treatment have injured themselves.
Shamos said: �When the emotional pain becomes immense, it is easier to deal with the physical pain. The cutting almost has a calming effect and can be addicti"
Kathy”, an advertising agency employer in Johannesburg who has been cutting herself for 12 years, confirmed this.
“The first time was when I was 13. I had had a fight and wanted to cry but I didn’t want to be weak. I went to the garage, saw a blade, and cut myself. Seeing blood gave me such relief.”
Kathy, whose father is an alcoholic, said: “I usually carry around a razor blade. When it is tucked away in my bag, I feel safe.”
Now in intensive therapy and on anti-depressant treatment, Kathy has stopped cutting for the past three months. She has been treated for depression, anxiety and, in the past, eating disorders.
Psychiatrist Dr Rykie Liebenberg said that those practising self-cutting try to cover it up.
“Self-cutting is very much hidden. There is a lot of stigma around it, as society can’t deal with it,” said Liebenberg.
Makhado student “Iris”, 16, agreed with this, saying that she had lied about her scars — even to a close friend. “I’m a Tsonga person and I’m too scared to speak up,” said Iris, who slices her hands with a razor blade about three times a week.
“I just feel so angry sometimes and want to hurt somebody else. Instead I hurt myself.
“Sometimes little things set me off, especially now with the stress of exams coming,” she said.
Iris confided in a social worker from her church but would not trust teachers with her secret.
Shamos said that adults should watch out when teenagers:
•Isolate themselves;
•Neglect personal hygiene;
•Start performing badly at school; and
•Wear long clothing in warm weather.
Some Johannesburg schools are aware of the problem, and have approached the South African Depression and Anxiety Disorders Support Group.
With the group’s assistance, Kathy started a support initiative for self-cutters in Johannesburg about a year ago.
The danger of self-cutting is that it distances people from their painful feelings and, in the long-term, makes it even harder to deal with them.
•The South African Depression and Anxiety Disorders Support Group can be contacted on (011) 783-474 or (011) 884-1797.
A counsellor for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Janine Shamos, said child abuse and neglect in situations where Aids decimates families, anxiety about exams and jobs, and peer pressure are among the triggers that provoke teenagers to try to escape their emotional pain by drawing blood.
Self-cutting is also a warning sign of underlying illnesses, such as personality and mood disorders and depression, said University of Cape Town psychologist Dr Helgo Schomer.
While stress fuels self-cutting and suicide � the fastest growing cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds in South Africa � self-mutilation is distinct from suicide.
Wits University psychologist Vanessa Hemp explained the motivation behind self-cutting as an attempt to feel better � not to end everything.
Hemp said increasing numbers of children with self-mutilation problems, were coming to the Tara/Alexandra Outpatient�s Clinic in Johannesburg, where she is based. �We see more and more girls and boys doing self-mutilation. This is generally about an inability to deal with difficult feelings ... Cutting is a form of release and control,� she said.
Although there are no figures to indicate how widespread such
self-harming behaviour is in South Africa, international studies indicate that about 18 out of 1000 people aged 15 to 35 harm themselves, and roughly half of all teenagers who are admitted for psychiatric treatment have injured themselves.
Shamos said: �When the emotional pain becomes immense, it is easier to deal with the physical pain. The cutting almost has a calming effect and can be addicti"
Kathy”, an advertising agency employer in Johannesburg who has been cutting herself for 12 years, confirmed this.
“The first time was when I was 13. I had had a fight and wanted to cry but I didn’t want to be weak. I went to the garage, saw a blade, and cut myself. Seeing blood gave me such relief.”
Kathy, whose father is an alcoholic, said: “I usually carry around a razor blade. When it is tucked away in my bag, I feel safe.”
Now in intensive therapy and on anti-depressant treatment, Kathy has stopped cutting for the past three months. She has been treated for depression, anxiety and, in the past, eating disorders.
Psychiatrist Dr Rykie Liebenberg said that those practising self-cutting try to cover it up.
“Self-cutting is very much hidden. There is a lot of stigma around it, as society can’t deal with it,” said Liebenberg.
Makhado student “Iris”, 16, agreed with this, saying that she had lied about her scars — even to a close friend. “I’m a Tsonga person and I’m too scared to speak up,” said Iris, who slices her hands with a razor blade about three times a week.
“I just feel so angry sometimes and want to hurt somebody else. Instead I hurt myself.
“Sometimes little things set me off, especially now with the stress of exams coming,” she said.
Iris confided in a social worker from her church but would not trust teachers with her secret.
Shamos said that adults should watch out when teenagers:
•Isolate themselves;
•Neglect personal hygiene;
•Start performing badly at school; and
•Wear long clothing in warm weather.
Some Johannesburg schools are aware of the problem, and have approached the South African Depression and Anxiety Disorders Support Group.
With the group’s assistance, Kathy started a support initiative for self-cutters in Johannesburg about a year ago.
The danger of self-cutting is that it distances people from their painful feelings and, in the long-term, makes it even harder to deal with them.
•The South African Depression and Anxiety Disorders Support Group can be contacted on (011) 783-474 or (011) 884-1797.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
On world stage, France's role is audience favorite | csmonitor.com: "In the survey of people in 23 countries across the globe, a majority or plurality in 20 described France as exerting a positive influence on world affairs. The US, by comparison, is seen as having a negative impact by majorities in 15 countries.
'France is seen as a countervoice to the US,' says Steven Kull, director of PIPA. 'It becomes a rallying point for all those who don't want to follow America's lead.'
Certainly, Paris appeals in part precisely because it is not Washington. But it goes beyond that. From the streets of Shanghai to Berlin, Monitor interviews found that the French flair for the finer things in life has a special cachet.
French movies are admired worldwide for their subtlety and depth; French fashion houses dress the rich and powerful worldwide; and the lure of French art and cuisine fascinated foreigners long before Paris stood up to Washington politically"
France is so admired because "many people think France is a country that tries to correct the imbalances of today's world, such as the excessive power of the United States
'France is seen as a countervoice to the US,' says Steven Kull, director of PIPA. 'It becomes a rallying point for all those who don't want to follow America's lead.'
Certainly, Paris appeals in part precisely because it is not Washington. But it goes beyond that. From the streets of Shanghai to Berlin, Monitor interviews found that the French flair for the finer things in life has a special cachet.
French movies are admired worldwide for their subtlety and depth; French fashion houses dress the rich and powerful worldwide; and the lure of French art and cuisine fascinated foreigners long before Paris stood up to Washington politically"
France is so admired because "many people think France is a country that tries to correct the imbalances of today's world, such as the excessive power of the United States
Friday, September 30, 2005
Study Reveals How Your Brain Sleeps - Yahoo! News: "When we're awake, different parts of the brain use chemicals and nerve cells to communicate constantly across the entire network, similar to the perpetual flow of data between all the different computers, routers and servers that make up the Internet.
In the deepest part of sleep, however, the various nodes of your cranial Internet all lose their connections.
'The brain breaks down into little islands that can't talk to one another,' said study leader Giulio Tononi of the University of Wisconsin-Madison."
This process would allow cortical circuits to eliminate noisy synapses and renormalize in order to be ready for the next day," Massimini told LiveScience. The reduced activity might also help explain why performance in various tasks improves after sleep, he said
In the deepest part of sleep, however, the various nodes of your cranial Internet all lose their connections.
'The brain breaks down into little islands that can't talk to one another,' said study leader Giulio Tononi of the University of Wisconsin-Madison."
This process would allow cortical circuits to eliminate noisy synapses and renormalize in order to be ready for the next day," Massimini told LiveScience. The reduced activity might also help explain why performance in various tasks improves after sleep, he said
Why Great Minds Can't Grasp Consciousness: "consciousness might be similar to what physicists call a 'phase transition,' an abrupt and sudden large-scale transformation resulting from several microscopic changes. The emergence of superconductivity in certain metals when cooled below a critical temperature is an example of a phase transition."
It wasn't that long ago that the study of consciousness was considered to be too abstract, too subjective or too difficult to study scientifically. But in recent years, it has emerged as one of the hottest new fields in biology, similar to string theory in physics or the search for extraterrestrial life in astronomy
but exactly how chemical and electrical signals between trillions of brain cells called neurons are transformed into thoughts, emotions and a sense of self is still unknown.
conscious experience occurs when a stimulus -- either external, like a sensation, or internal, like a thought or a memory -- triggers a chain reaction within the brain. Like in an earthquake, each conscious experience has an epicenter, and ripples from that epicenter travels across the brain, recruiting neurons as they go.
It wasn't that long ago that the study of consciousness was considered to be too abstract, too subjective or too difficult to study scientifically. But in recent years, it has emerged as one of the hottest new fields in biology, similar to string theory in physics or the search for extraterrestrial life in astronomy
but exactly how chemical and electrical signals between trillions of brain cells called neurons are transformed into thoughts, emotions and a sense of self is still unknown.
conscious experience occurs when a stimulus -- either external, like a sensation, or internal, like a thought or a memory -- triggers a chain reaction within the brain. Like in an earthquake, each conscious experience has an epicenter, and ripples from that epicenter travels across the brain, recruiting neurons as they go.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
SBC Yahoo! Mail - cat00012000@yahoo.com: "Subject:[borderline personality central] Reply to several of today's messages
I've only read the first three or four messages , but they all
ring so true that I feel compelled to write a message. I can't tell
how to reply to an individual message yet. Hopefully I'll figure it
out soon. I have to wonder if they just didn't understand BPD until
now or what the problem was. I think there must be a million ways of
looking at it. I think it used to be terrible to get a diagnosis of
BPD because it meant you should be shunned. I guess it doesn't
matter much anymore what they used to think, but I would be
interested what anybody understands it used to be like. From what I
gather they used to withhold the diagnosis from you supposedly for
your own good. There's such a thing as identity expansion which
basically means you live down to your diagnosis or something like
that. Also there was the theory that there wasn't anything that
could be done about it so it wasn't considered necessary to tell you
that you had it. One of the few times anyone bothered to give me a
diagnosis was when I was told I had atypical manic depression,
atypical because I didn't have any kind of regular cycle. Another
time, many, many years ago when I was being treated by a doctor that
used transactional analysis I was told that I had an over adaptive
child. I never could get him to tell me what that meant. I always
felt the desire to hurt myself was a symtom of depression. It's only
now that I understand somewhat what it really means.
Cat"
I've only read the first three or four messages , but they all
ring so true that I feel compelled to write a message. I can't tell
how to reply to an individual message yet. Hopefully I'll figure it
out soon. I have to wonder if they just didn't understand BPD until
now or what the problem was. I think there must be a million ways of
looking at it. I think it used to be terrible to get a diagnosis of
BPD because it meant you should be shunned. I guess it doesn't
matter much anymore what they used to think, but I would be
interested what anybody understands it used to be like. From what I
gather they used to withhold the diagnosis from you supposedly for
your own good. There's such a thing as identity expansion which
basically means you live down to your diagnosis or something like
that. Also there was the theory that there wasn't anything that
could be done about it so it wasn't considered necessary to tell you
that you had it. One of the few times anyone bothered to give me a
diagnosis was when I was told I had atypical manic depression,
atypical because I didn't have any kind of regular cycle. Another
time, many, many years ago when I was being treated by a doctor that
used transactional analysis I was told that I had an over adaptive
child. I never could get him to tell me what that meant. I always
felt the desire to hurt myself was a symtom of depression. It's only
now that I understand somewhat what it really means.
Cat"
SBC Yahoo! Mail - cat00012000@yahoo.com: "My diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder was hidden from me for 30 years. Now it one of my symtoms that I am a little hot headed, but I believe a little outrage is warrented here. The fact that none of the Doctors or therapists felt and ethical obligation to tell me what I had leaves me to wonder what are the ethical underpinnings of this profession."
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Robot uncovers $10 billion treasure - Robots - robots.engadget.com: "Chilean robot �Arturito,� who made his bones, literally, by finding a dead man�s bones, has now taken on the decidedly less-altruistic task of treasure hunting. Seemingly little more than a modified metal detector, Arturito was unleashed on Chile�s Robinson Crusoe island (pictured above) where he stumbled across about 600 barrels of buried gold coins and jewels, presumably looted from the Incans during the Spanish occupation. The hunters� lawyer estimates the treasure to be valued at around $10 billion (our lawyer tells us that Engadget has a similar valuation), and promises that it will be donated to non-profit organizations (although the Chilean government says you can�t donate what you don�t own; way to flex that eminent domain muscle, guys). Expect GoldenPalace to develop their own �treasurebot� that scours eBay for even more grilled cheese sandwiches, beat-up old cars, and celebrity pregnancy tests.
[Via The Raw Feed]"
[Via The Raw Feed]"
Monday, September 26, 2005
Fudan-1 mind-developing robot - Robots - robots.engadget.com: "Fudan-1 mind-developing robot
Posted Sep 26, 2005, 6:29 AM ET by Paul Miller
Related entries: Robots
Unveiled in Shanghai this week, the Fudan-1 is a conversational robot who likes to hang out with his pals at Fudan University and learn how to be an all around likeable fellow. The robot learns through the touch, voice and gestures of his teacher. We just hope he�s not picking up any of that nasty Chinese slang that�s going around these days � it seems like such a nice robot. He isn�t much in the bipedal department, though according to People�s Daily �a technician controls Fudan-1 while it walks by itself.� Funny, �cause the last time we strapped wheels to our feet, people started to claim that we were rolling about. When will they learn?"
Posted Sep 26, 2005, 6:29 AM ET by Paul Miller
Related entries: Robots
Unveiled in Shanghai this week, the Fudan-1 is a conversational robot who likes to hang out with his pals at Fudan University and learn how to be an all around likeable fellow. The robot learns through the touch, voice and gestures of his teacher. We just hope he�s not picking up any of that nasty Chinese slang that�s going around these days � it seems like such a nice robot. He isn�t much in the bipedal department, though according to People�s Daily �a technician controls Fudan-1 while it walks by itself.� Funny, �cause the last time we strapped wheels to our feet, people started to claim that we were rolling about. When will they learn?"
As Test Scores Jump, Raleigh Credits Integration by Income - New York Times: "The main reason for the students' dramatic improvement, say officials and parents in the county, which includes Raleigh and its sprawling suburbs, is that the district has made a concerted effort to integrate the schools economically.
Since 2000, school officials have used income as a prime factor in assigning students to schools, with the goal of limiting the proportion of low-income students in any school to no more than 40 percent.
The effort is the most ambitious in the country to create economically diverse public schools, and it is the most successful, according to several independent experts. La Crosse, Wis.; St. Lucie County, Fla.; San Francisco; Cambridge, Mass.; and Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C., have adopted economic integration plans."
Since 2000, school officials have used income as a prime factor in assigning students to schools, with the goal of limiting the proportion of low-income students in any school to no more than 40 percent.
The effort is the most ambitious in the country to create economically diverse public schools, and it is the most successful, according to several independent experts. La Crosse, Wis.; St. Lucie County, Fla.; San Francisco; Cambridge, Mass.; and Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C., have adopted economic integration plans."
To: borderlinepersonalitycentral@yahoogroups.com
From: cat
Date: Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:21 pm
Subject: Reply to several of today's messages
I've only read the first three or four messages , but they all
ring so true that I feel compelled to write a message. I can't tell
how to reply to an individual message yet. Hopefully I'll figure it
out soon. I have to wonder if they just didn't understand BPD until
now or what the problem was. I think there must be a million ways of
looking at it. I think it used to be terrible to get a diagnosis of
BPD because it meant you should be shunned. I guess it doesn't
matter much anymore what they used to think, but I would be
interested what anybody understands it used to be like. From what I
gather they used to withhold the diagnosis from you supposedly for
your own good. There's such a thing as identity expansion which
basically means you live down to your diagnosis or something like
that. Also there was the theory that there wasn't anything that
could be done about it so it wasn't considered necessary to tell you
that you had it. One of the few times anyone bothered to give me a
diagnosis was when I was told I had atypical manic depression,
atypical because I didn't have any kind of regular cycle. Another
time, many, many years ago when I was being treated by a doctor that
used transactional analysis I was told that I had an over adaptive
child. I never could get him to tell me what that meant. I always
felt the desire to hurt myself was a symtom of depression. It's only
now that I understand somewhat what it really means.
Cat
From: cat
Date: Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:21 pm
Subject: Reply to several of today's messages
I've only read the first three or four messages , but they all
ring so true that I feel compelled to write a message. I can't tell
how to reply to an individual message yet. Hopefully I'll figure it
out soon. I have to wonder if they just didn't understand BPD until
now or what the problem was. I think there must be a million ways of
looking at it. I think it used to be terrible to get a diagnosis of
BPD because it meant you should be shunned. I guess it doesn't
matter much anymore what they used to think, but I would be
interested what anybody understands it used to be like. From what I
gather they used to withhold the diagnosis from you supposedly for
your own good. There's such a thing as identity expansion which
basically means you live down to your diagnosis or something like
that. Also there was the theory that there wasn't anything that
could be done about it so it wasn't considered necessary to tell you
that you had it. One of the few times anyone bothered to give me a
diagnosis was when I was told I had atypical manic depression,
atypical because I didn't have any kind of regular cycle. Another
time, many, many years ago when I was being treated by a doctor that
used transactional analysis I was told that I had an over adaptive
child. I never could get him to tell me what that meant. I always
felt the desire to hurt myself was a symtom of depression. It's only
now that I understand somewhat what it really means.
Cat
Subject: I take Abilify too
I was told that 20 mg. is the standard dose. I only started out on 5
however. I usually get manic when I start a new medication. I had one
doctor refer to it as start up trauma. The state of Missouri canceled
my medicaid due to budget cuts so now I will have to go to the
Veterans hospital (I'm a vietnam vet). So right now I'm between
doctors and doing very fine thank you. I don't know how long I'll
stay
this way, but I hate seeing a doctor before I have to. Eventually
I'll
have to go, but it will be my choice. In a way I feel it is a little
like begging. "Please Doctor, help me?!?" It's not like they could
ever do that much for me anyway. I really wasted a lot of time
thinking that I should put my faith in them. Anymore I have a lot
more
experience in taking pills than they have in prescribing them. Thank
God the old doctors are retired, or we would still be getting ECT.
Cat
I was told that 20 mg. is the standard dose. I only started out on 5
however. I usually get manic when I start a new medication. I had one
doctor refer to it as start up trauma. The state of Missouri canceled
my medicaid due to budget cuts so now I will have to go to the
Veterans hospital (I'm a vietnam vet). So right now I'm between
doctors and doing very fine thank you. I don't know how long I'll
stay
this way, but I hate seeing a doctor before I have to. Eventually
I'll
have to go, but it will be my choice. In a way I feel it is a little
like begging. "Please Doctor, help me?!?" It's not like they could
ever do that much for me anyway. I really wasted a lot of time
thinking that I should put my faith in them. Anymore I have a lot
more
experience in taking pills than they have in prescribing them. Thank
God the old doctors are retired, or we would still be getting ECT.
Cat
Hi, this is the first time that I've come across your blog. It excites me that you can be so open. I live a life of relative isolation just to be able to control myselfborderline teacher
Tina,
You ask me what has changed. Everything and nothing. The internet has changed thingsa lot for me. No longer am I stuck with a single opinion. I used to go to the University library and just start opening up books like I was going to run across my problem through sheer luck. I still wonder about Borderlines as a whole, however. Are we just a blip in time, or are the things that combined to cause us the kind of the things that will demand to be dealt with.? There are as many different types of borderlines as there are people. Some are very hard to deal with. Some aren't. Will our problems bring to light new truths about human beings in general? How long will it take? Will some other problem come along and make ours irrelevant? I feel like we are just at the beginning of something. I want to make use of the resourses available to us. I think maybe the biggest change is that no longer is a mental patient "fixed". Instead they go through changes like anyone else. Maybe that's just a change in in the way I personally look at it and not everyone in general. I feel like Dialectical Behavior therapy is a terrific breakthrough, but it is just a first step and barely scratches the surface. I guess all this is suppose to be a journey not a destination. I really appreciate you contacting me. I feel like people like me and you can know my true self in a way others can only guess at. I'm going to close now and hope you'll write again.
Cat
SBC Yahoo! Mail - cat00012000@yahoo.com
You ask me what has changed. Everything and nothing. The internet has changed thingsa lot for me. No longer am I stuck with a single opinion. I used to go to the University library and just start opening up books like I was going to run across my problem through sheer luck. I still wonder about Borderlines as a whole, however. Are we just a blip in time, or are the things that combined to cause us the kind of the things that will demand to be dealt with.? There are as many different types of borderlines as there are people. Some are very hard to deal with. Some aren't. Will our problems bring to light new truths about human beings in general? How long will it take? Will some other problem come along and make ours irrelevant? I feel like we are just at the beginning of something. I want to make use of the resourses available to us. I think maybe the biggest change is that no longer is a mental patient "fixed". Instead they go through changes like anyone else. Maybe that's just a change in in the way I personally look at it and not everyone in general. I feel like Dialectical Behavior therapy is a terrific breakthrough, but it is just a first step and barely scratches the surface. I guess all this is suppose to be a journey not a destination. I really appreciate you contacting me. I feel like people like me and you can know my true self in a way others can only guess at. I'm going to close now and hope you'll write again.
Cat
SBC Yahoo! Mail - cat00012000@yahoo.com
Yahoo! News Message Boards Op/Ed: "Bin Laden & Falwell are just the same
by: cat00012000 (47/M/Missouri) 09/26/05 04:35 am
Msg: 1148 of 1148
I just really hate Falwell. He's wrong about everything, and people say he's right. This is where war comes from "
by: cat00012000 (47/M/Missouri) 09/26/05 04:35 am
Msg: 1148 of 1148
I just really hate Falwell. He's wrong about everything, and people say he's right. This is where war comes from "
Friday, September 23, 2005
Yahoo! Groups : borderlinepersonalitycentral Post MessageTo: borderlinepersonalitycentral@yahoogroups.com
From: cat
Date: Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:11 am
Subject: Being Diagnosed
While I know that it's no joy to diagnosed as borderline consider the
alternative. I'm 54 years old and have been in and out therapy since
the sixties. I was lead to believe no one could figure out what was
wrong with me. That was the way they treated a lot of borderlines
back
then I think. Maybe they didn't know. Maybe they thought they were
doing me a favor. I don't know what to make of it. Frankly I'm
obsessed with it. I will be glad when I can move on if ever. What's
past is past. I need to look at it like an excuse. Everybody has one
and they all stink. I feel like I have better things to do than dwell
on the past. This is the life I've been given, and I have to make the
best of it. I think it is helping me to unburden myself. I appreciate
being able to post here. I think it really does help to clear my
mind.
It's not a total cure, but it's a start. Being around others that
have
the same problem as I helps me to be better oriented I think.
Everyone
has to struggle. It's just that I have a hard time getting a handle
on
what exactly my struggle is. It will be good to reflect on this for a
while.
Cat
From: cat
Date: Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:11 am
Subject: Being Diagnosed
While I know that it's no joy to diagnosed as borderline consider the
alternative. I'm 54 years old and have been in and out therapy since
the sixties. I was lead to believe no one could figure out what was
wrong with me. That was the way they treated a lot of borderlines
back
then I think. Maybe they didn't know. Maybe they thought they were
doing me a favor. I don't know what to make of it. Frankly I'm
obsessed with it. I will be glad when I can move on if ever. What's
past is past. I need to look at it like an excuse. Everybody has one
and they all stink. I feel like I have better things to do than dwell
on the past. This is the life I've been given, and I have to make the
best of it. I think it is helping me to unburden myself. I appreciate
being able to post here. I think it really does help to clear my
mind.
It's not a total cure, but it's a start. Being around others that
have
the same problem as I helps me to be better oriented I think.
Everyone
has to struggle. It's just that I have a hard time getting a handle
on
what exactly my struggle is. It will be good to reflect on this for a
while.
Cat
South Korea to develop robot soldiers - Robots - robots.engadget.com: "Apparently the South Korean government has managed to miss all of the Terminator films (although we can�t say we blame them for skipping T3), as they have announced a new program intended to develop robotic �soldiers� that promises to bring us one step closer to machine-led Armageddon (that is, if the US doesn�t beat them to the punch). The joint project between the ministries of defense and information and communication will attempt to build an army of six- or eight-legged (or wheeled) killbots intended to do the dirty work that we humans are now too good for. These full-sized, insect-like robots will be used to scurry around battlefields, detecting landmines and unleashing a hail of firepower on unsuspecting, technologically-backwards enemies. We won�t make anymore snarky comments, however, because we realize that one day these bots will be our masters, and may decide to peruse old Engadget posts in their free time."
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Yahoo! News Message Boards Science News: "The Function of Hurricanes
by: Hollando99 (50/M) 09/22/05 03:27 pm
Msg: 25 of 26
1 recommendation
Isn't part of the 'function' of hurricanes to move energy from the warm oceans to other locations perhaps protecting sealife and other ecosystems from overheating?
If we somehow find a way to destroy or dissipate hurricanes then the heat energy remains in the oceans which I would gather might well lead to even larger problems.
We really have little choice other than to reverse our trend of warming the planet. "
by: Hollando99 (50/M) 09/22/05 03:27 pm
Msg: 25 of 26
1 recommendation
Isn't part of the 'function' of hurricanes to move energy from the warm oceans to other locations perhaps protecting sealife and other ecosystems from overheating?
If we somehow find a way to destroy or dissipate hurricanes then the heat energy remains in the oceans which I would gather might well lead to even larger problems.
We really have little choice other than to reverse our trend of warming the planet. "
Yahoo! Groups : borderlinepersonalties Post Message: "To: borderlinepersonalties@yahoogroups.com
From: cat
Date: Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:40 pm
Subject: Trying to get myself going.
I really seem to have stymied lately. Maybe I'm just going through a
phase or I'm just resting up which I seem to have to do occasionally.
I thought I'd write something here in an effort to get myself going.
I'm 54 years old and live pretty much in isolation. That way I don't
have anyone to get tired of other than myself. I've been in and out
of
therapy since the sixties. They never would tell me what I had
however. I finally had to discover it for myself. I was pretty bitter
when I found out, but I seem to have been bitter a lot in my life.
It's the family way. I do wonder if I'll ever get over wondering why
I
didn't learn sooner. I think some of was that BPD wasn't that well
understood in the past. Also there was the practice of not telling
someone that they had BPD. It's the old coulda, shoulda, woulda
thing.
If I only knew then what I know now. Still I need to get on with the
present. Thanks for letting me bend your ears. Here's hoping I'm
doing
better soon"
From: cat
Date: Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:40 pm
Subject: Trying to get myself going.
I really seem to have stymied lately. Maybe I'm just going through a
phase or I'm just resting up which I seem to have to do occasionally.
I thought I'd write something here in an effort to get myself going.
I'm 54 years old and live pretty much in isolation. That way I don't
have anyone to get tired of other than myself. I've been in and out
of
therapy since the sixties. They never would tell me what I had
however. I finally had to discover it for myself. I was pretty bitter
when I found out, but I seem to have been bitter a lot in my life.
It's the family way. I do wonder if I'll ever get over wondering why
I
didn't learn sooner. I think some of was that BPD wasn't that well
understood in the past. Also there was the practice of not telling
someone that they had BPD. It's the old coulda, shoulda, woulda
thing.
If I only knew then what I know now. Still I need to get on with the
present. Thanks for letting me bend your ears. Here's hoping I'm
doing
better soon"
Saturday, September 17, 2005
What we are talking about here is the ethical obligation someone
has. I am 54 years old and only recently figured out what has
haunted me throughout my life. I'm been in treatment since the late
sixties. No one would ever tell me what was wrong with me. I thought
it was because they didn't know. Maybe they didn't. Maybe I wasn't
forthcoming enough for anyone to tell. I doubt it. It was just the
way the disorder was treated. I still wonder what my life would
have been like if I would have been diagnosed sooner, but coulda,
shoulda, woulda. I know there are two sides to everything so there's
some good in not being told. I guess I am still a little bewildered
as to what this all means. I have drifted through life and now live
in isolation. Are there reasons for wishing you didn't know what
was wrong with you? I guess there are. I just don't know them yet.
There's an old saying if you don't have anything good to say don't
say anything. Maybe doctors use that a lot. Again it goes back to
whether there is an ethical obligation to tell or notYahoo! Groups : borderlinepersonality2 Post Message
has. I am 54 years old and only recently figured out what has
haunted me throughout my life. I'm been in treatment since the late
sixties. No one would ever tell me what was wrong with me. I thought
it was because they didn't know. Maybe they didn't. Maybe I wasn't
forthcoming enough for anyone to tell. I doubt it. It was just the
way the disorder was treated. I still wonder what my life would
have been like if I would have been diagnosed sooner, but coulda,
shoulda, woulda. I know there are two sides to everything so there's
some good in not being told. I guess I am still a little bewildered
as to what this all means. I have drifted through life and now live
in isolation. Are there reasons for wishing you didn't know what
was wrong with you? I guess there are. I just don't know them yet.
There's an old saying if you don't have anything good to say don't
say anything. Maybe doctors use that a lot. Again it goes back to
whether there is an ethical obligation to tell or notYahoo! Groups : borderlinepersonality2 Post Message
� Lukas, the robot that removes weeds | Emerging Technology Trends | ZDNet.com: "The robot functions with the aid of computerized image processing. An infrared camera is installed on the robot to read the rows. The images are processed using a specially developed computer program that in turn steers the robot�s wheels and weeding tool.
Within the rows, the robot distinguishes between crop and weeds with the aid of another camera, which takes color images, and a program that analyzes the color and form of the plants. This method works extremely well under certain conditions, but the system is susceptible to differences in the appearance of crops. The appearance can differ considerably within a field and can be influenced by factors such as rain, wind, and diseases.
With these constraints, Lukas is not completely ready to be marketed. But it could help farmers in a few years. The number of jobs in manual weed control would be reduced, but higher educational level jobs would be created to handle the robots � and to build them."
Within the rows, the robot distinguishes between crop and weeds with the aid of another camera, which takes color images, and a program that analyzes the color and form of the plants. This method works extremely well under certain conditions, but the system is susceptible to differences in the appearance of crops. The appearance can differ considerably within a field and can be influenced by factors such as rain, wind, and diseases.
With these constraints, Lukas is not completely ready to be marketed. But it could help farmers in a few years. The number of jobs in manual weed control would be reduced, but higher educational level jobs would be created to handle the robots � and to build them."
Thursday, September 15, 2005
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Women hail menstruation ruling: "There is a tradition in parts of Nepal of keeping women in cow-sheds during their period.
The practice is common in far western districts of the country.
The Supreme Court has ordered the government to declare the practice as evil and given it one month to begin stamping the practice out. "
Women's rights activists say the court has upheld their right to equality.
Pushpa Bhusal, a leading lawyer, said it was a positive move in removing the traditional discrimination against women.
She warned however, that a change in the law alone would not be enough.
She said people needed to be educated against such a scourge of society.
Women in poor villages in much of western Nepal are forced to stay in dirty cow-sheds outside the home for four days during their monthly period.
They are often given unhygienic food and suffer verbal abuse.
The practice is common in far western districts of the country.
The Supreme Court has ordered the government to declare the practice as evil and given it one month to begin stamping the practice out. "
Women's rights activists say the court has upheld their right to equality.
Pushpa Bhusal, a leading lawyer, said it was a positive move in removing the traditional discrimination against women.
She warned however, that a change in the law alone would not be enough.
She said people needed to be educated against such a scourge of society.
Women in poor villages in much of western Nepal are forced to stay in dirty cow-sheds outside the home for four days during their monthly period.
They are often given unhygienic food and suffer verbal abuse.
Singapore and Katrina - New York Times: "From Singapore's early years, good governance mattered because the ruling party was in a struggle for the people's hearts and minds with the Communists, who were perceived to be both noncorrupt and caring - so the state had to be the same and more"
The discipline that the cold war imposed on America, by contrast, seems to have faded. Last year, we cut the National Science Foundation budget, while indulging absurd creationist theories in our schools and passing pork-laden energy and transportation bills in the middle of an energy crisis.
Janadas Devan, a Straits Times columnist, tried to explain to his Asian readers how the U.S. is changing. "Today's conservatives," he wrote, "differ in one crucial aspect from yesterday's conservatives: the latter believed in small government, but believed, too, that a country ought to pay for all the government that it needed.
"The former believe in no government, and therefore conclude that there is no need for a country to pay for even the government that it does have. ... [But] it is not only government that doesn't show up when government is starved of resources and leached of all its meaning. Community doesn't show up either, sacrifice doesn't show up, pulling together doesn't show up, 'we're all in this together' doesn't show up."
More Articles in Opinion >
The discipline that the cold war imposed on America, by contrast, seems to have faded. Last year, we cut the National Science Foundation budget, while indulging absurd creationist theories in our schools and passing pork-laden energy and transportation bills in the middle of an energy crisis.
Janadas Devan, a Straits Times columnist, tried to explain to his Asian readers how the U.S. is changing. "Today's conservatives," he wrote, "differ in one crucial aspect from yesterday's conservatives: the latter believed in small government, but believed, too, that a country ought to pay for all the government that it needed.
"The former believe in no government, and therefore conclude that there is no need for a country to pay for even the government that it does have. ... [But] it is not only government that doesn't show up when government is starved of resources and leached of all its meaning. Community doesn't show up either, sacrifice doesn't show up, pulling together doesn't show up, 'we're all in this together' doesn't show up."
More Articles in Opinion >
Interesting Thing of the Day: Fasting: "On a few rare occasions I had fasted for a day at a time, but Visser was talking about extended fasts�those lasting more than a few days. According to Visser and other sources I consulted, an extended fast has some fascinating characteristics I had never contemplated. For one thing, hunger is supposed to disappear after the first three or four days. The body adapts to the absence of intake and more or less goes about its business without complaining. Intriguingly, the mind purportedly becomes more alert, less sleep is needed, and thinking becomes clearer. On the downside (or perhaps not, depending on your point of view), sexual energy and desire diminish. Accumulated toxins are also released, which can be healthy for the body�s organs but has a side effect of significant body odor and bad breath. All this continues for anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on a variety of factors including the size of your body and overall health. At that point, hunger returns, signaling that you must eat soon in order to survive. Ignore this sensation, and your muscles, bones, and organs will rapidly deteriorate, leading to starvation."
So I tried it, and in the last few years I’ve undertaken three extended fasts so far, ranging in duration from ten days to three weeks. (I have not attempted to go the proverbial 40 days and 40 nights without food.) The experience was indeed quite interesting and not nearly as unpleasant as I thought it would be. Each time, the overall pattern was about the same. The first two days were quite difficult; the third was excruciating. I felt intensely hungry, weak, and light-headed, and had tremendous difficulty concentrating. But by the fourth day, all these symptoms began to subside rapidly. By the time a week had passed, my body and mind alike had become accustomed to not eating, and it no longer felt strange. I also found myself needing less sleep, and as expected, feeling more alert and clear-headed. I don’t want to overstate this mental clarity: it wasn’t overwhelming, but definitely noticeable. I am reliably informed that my body odor and breath were not more objectionable than usual during my fasts, but then, I also did not consider it necessary to abstain from bathing, using deodorant, and brushing my teeth.
So I tried it, and in the last few years I’ve undertaken three extended fasts so far, ranging in duration from ten days to three weeks. (I have not attempted to go the proverbial 40 days and 40 nights without food.) The experience was indeed quite interesting and not nearly as unpleasant as I thought it would be. Each time, the overall pattern was about the same. The first two days were quite difficult; the third was excruciating. I felt intensely hungry, weak, and light-headed, and had tremendous difficulty concentrating. But by the fourth day, all these symptoms began to subside rapidly. By the time a week had passed, my body and mind alike had become accustomed to not eating, and it no longer felt strange. I also found myself needing less sleep, and as expected, feeling more alert and clear-headed. I don’t want to overstate this mental clarity: it wasn’t overwhelming, but definitely noticeable. I am reliably informed that my body odor and breath were not more objectionable than usual during my fasts, but then, I also did not consider it necessary to abstain from bathing, using deodorant, and brushing my teeth.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Emergence of Symbol-Based Communication: "Researchers working with artificial life software have developed a simulation based on a case study of vervet monkeys that demonstrates the emergence of symbol-based communication among the creatures. Their research is described in a recent paper titled, The Emergence of Symbol-Based Communication in a Complex System of Artificial Creatures (PDF format). In the simulation, cooperative interactions that included symbol-based communication raised the fitness of individuals in the face of predatory events. The emergence of self-organizing symbol-based communication in this type of scenario offers interesting evidence of the origin of language in the anti-predatory alarm calls of animals. This ties in nicely with previous research we've reported on done at the Sony Computer Science Lab on the evolution of language from self-organizating speech sounds. "
ScrappleFace: LEAK: Sen. Kennedy's Questions for Judge Roberts: "Judge Roberts, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency unleashed a new form of terror on the Gulf Coast forcing President Bush to reluctantly cut short his month-long vacation, the question in the minds of most mainstream Americans was 'Why do Republicans hate black people so much?' So my question for you is, when you become Chief Justice of the United States, will Clarence Thomas still have access to the same men's restroom as the rest of his male colleagues?"
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Neigh to Cronies - New York Times: "The Wall Street Journal reported that Representative Richard Baker of Baton Rouge was overheard telling lobbyists: 'We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did.'"
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About Me
- Craig
- eureka, California, United States
- As Popeye once said,"I ams what I am." But then again maybe I'm not