Prototype - We’ll Fill This Space, but First a Nap - NYTimes.com
I'm a HUGE fan of the power nap. There is really not much more deserving of our attention in life. Not a siesta, mind you, but a quick 15 - 30 minute power nap at around 2:30 or so.
Apparently new empirical research has shown that a little nap can boost creativity by 30% or so - not sure how they measured "creativity", but hey, if it give the power-nap a little more street cred, I'm all for it.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Freud lives to fight another day....
Psychoanalytic Therapy Wins Backing - NYTimes.com
I'm certainly no fan of Freud (while recognizing his historical importance) - but I suppose that, as with all things involving psychology, individuals will all have a different response to different types of treatment. So, it only makes sense that some people will respond quite well to psychodynamic therapy. Just as some people respond quite well to Prozac, and others do not.
I just really have a strong distaste for the overall premise of Freud's position. I can potentially even get behind the idea that we have deep underlying motives for certain actions that we may not wish to acknowledge on an overt level of awareness, but the idea that all those desires have such a base and, really, deprived foundation just does not sit well with me. I have a higher regard for humanity and our basic motivations than Freud.
Freudian believers can now commence the "Well, you just have latent fears of those desires in your subconscious...." rhetoric....
I'm certainly no fan of Freud (while recognizing his historical importance) - but I suppose that, as with all things involving psychology, individuals will all have a different response to different types of treatment. So, it only makes sense that some people will respond quite well to psychodynamic therapy. Just as some people respond quite well to Prozac, and others do not.
I just really have a strong distaste for the overall premise of Freud's position. I can potentially even get behind the idea that we have deep underlying motives for certain actions that we may not wish to acknowledge on an overt level of awareness, but the idea that all those desires have such a base and, really, deprived foundation just does not sit well with me. I have a higher regard for humanity and our basic motivations than Freud.
Freudian believers can now commence the "Well, you just have latent fears of those desires in your subconscious...." rhetoric....
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Free-piston engine - utterly brilliant
Next Big Future: Free-piston engine could be twice as fuel efficient as combustion engines
Absolutely NOTHING to do with brain science, but I still had to post this. I looked at the design for this "free-piston" engine, and I am just agape with wonder. It is a massively brilliant idea; elegant, simple, and uses current technologies in a very innovative way.
The materials and know-how to build this are already in place and with the current surge in interest for gas/electric hybrids (and why there isn't a greater demand for diesel/electric hybrids I'll never understand) could make this a HUGE technology in the very near future. Plus there is the bonus that this is exceptionally similar to the way steam engines worked (power from both strokes of the piston) - so you have the whole retro thing going for you as well.
I (obviously) can't guarntee success, but if this project pans out and works the way it is suggested in this article - you may wish you had been one of the investors in the project.
Exceptionally cool.
Absolutely NOTHING to do with brain science, but I still had to post this. I looked at the design for this "free-piston" engine, and I am just agape with wonder. It is a massively brilliant idea; elegant, simple, and uses current technologies in a very innovative way.
The materials and know-how to build this are already in place and with the current surge in interest for gas/electric hybrids (and why there isn't a greater demand for diesel/electric hybrids I'll never understand) could make this a HUGE technology in the very near future. Plus there is the bonus that this is exceptionally similar to the way steam engines worked (power from both strokes of the piston) - so you have the whole retro thing going for you as well.
I (obviously) can't guarntee success, but if this project pans out and works the way it is suggested in this article - you may wish you had been one of the investors in the project.
Exceptionally cool.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Political Orientation Tied To Biological Reaction To Threats
FuturePundit: Political Orientation Tied To Biological Reaction To Threats
I'm not sure I agree with the conclusions - causality would be a difficult thing to tie directly between what they're observing and what they're trying to describe.
However....that being said, if causality could be as directly tied together as they are implying then this is an extremely interesting notion. I'm more willing to buy that there are rather more plain psychological roots for why you lean a particular direction (politically speaking) without having to dip into any genetic underpinning. But, the idea is intriguing to say the least.
I'm not sure I agree with the conclusions - causality would be a difficult thing to tie directly between what they're observing and what they're trying to describe.
However....that being said, if causality could be as directly tied together as they are implying then this is an extremely interesting notion. I'm more willing to buy that there are rather more plain psychological roots for why you lean a particular direction (politically speaking) without having to dip into any genetic underpinning. But, the idea is intriguing to say the least.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The cost of college - and how to lower it
College Presidents Defend Rising Tuition, but Lawmakers Sound Skeptical - NYTimes.com
More of this please. Although, inside the article lawmakers are essentially throwing soft pitches here. They're hinting that the universities may not be held over the coals by the threat of legislation, but instead are being encouraged to fix the problem themselves.
Not. Likely.
I'm sure there is a powerful lobby out there for educational interests (see: national teachers union) and an equally powerful lobby for universities and colleges with large endowments (how could there not be with that much money at stake?). So this effort is probably just the first salvo. The money will kick in through the lobbyists and this will take a back seat for a year or two until it becomes a bigger problem. Then eventually there will be some very soft and easily evaded legislation concerning it.
That's the way government works!
Here are some thoughts on why it doesn't really matter where you go to school. Which could also be a great way of lowering the cost of education.
More of this please. Although, inside the article lawmakers are essentially throwing soft pitches here. They're hinting that the universities may not be held over the coals by the threat of legislation, but instead are being encouraged to fix the problem themselves.
Not. Likely.
I'm sure there is a powerful lobby out there for educational interests (see: national teachers union) and an equally powerful lobby for universities and colleges with large endowments (how could there not be with that much money at stake?). So this effort is probably just the first salvo. The money will kick in through the lobbyists and this will take a back seat for a year or two until it becomes a bigger problem. Then eventually there will be some very soft and easily evaded legislation concerning it.
That's the way government works!
Here are some thoughts on why it doesn't really matter where you go to school. Which could also be a great way of lowering the cost of education.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Brain images used in court
This seems to set a bad precedent.
The technology for how this is achieved is still in its infancy and the particular application they're using it for in this case is problematic at best. This is absolutely no more reliable a method (and, in fact, potentially far less reilable) than using a lie-detector polygraph.
But, hey, it's new and sexy so let's give it a prime-time showing!
Ugh.
Myopia at an entirely new level
Read this post by a PhD in media matters.
Now, go read it again, this time make sure to read his little mini-profile in the upper right corner. Let that sink in a bit...he has a PhD in psychology and does research concerning the psychology of media - and he still manages to maintain that myopic of a perception of reality. Granted - he seems to realize that his thoughts and feelings are based on perception - but still.....
If anyone ever questioned whether or not scientists have bias, this guy's post would be the poster-child for the positive example. Meaning positively yes, they do have bias.
Absolutely stunning.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Drugs for optimising morality
Mind Hacks: Drugs for optimising morality
Now this is an interesting perspective. What's troubling is that when you look at the overall success of "brain drugs" (Prozac for example) the consistent success rate is quite low - around 30% effectiveness (meaning that the desired effect will be present in about 30% of the population, to greater or lesser degree). So, while the idea of morality drugs can be appealing on paper, I'm not as optimistic of the practical application.
The example that the author brought up is good for a pro-argument - it's general and fairly easy to see the benefit. However I'd be more worried about drugs that produce an aspect of "morality" that would be more problematic overall. Altruism, for example, is a good emotion in theory, but taken to extremes can potentially lead to detrimental effects at the family level or even at the community or government level especially from an economic viewpoint.
Nice idea - practical implementation could lead to a massively disruptive debate.
Now this is an interesting perspective. What's troubling is that when you look at the overall success of "brain drugs" (Prozac for example) the consistent success rate is quite low - around 30% effectiveness (meaning that the desired effect will be present in about 30% of the population, to greater or lesser degree). So, while the idea of morality drugs can be appealing on paper, I'm not as optimistic of the practical application.
The example that the author brought up is good for a pro-argument - it's general and fairly easy to see the benefit. However I'd be more worried about drugs that produce an aspect of "morality" that would be more problematic overall. Altruism, for example, is a good emotion in theory, but taken to extremes can potentially lead to detrimental effects at the family level or even at the community or government level especially from an economic viewpoint.
Nice idea - practical implementation could lead to a massively disruptive debate.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Music and Math
The Frontal Cortex : Music and Math
I'm fairly certain that I posted about this before, but it is just so much fun that it needs to be posted again.
Combining my two loves of music and neuroscience is just plain cool.
I'm fairly certain that I posted about this before, but it is just so much fun that it needs to be posted again.
Combining my two loves of music and neuroscience is just plain cool.
An Introduction to Positive psychology
An Introduction to Positive psychology by Dr. Martin Seligman | Improved Lives
I'm really intrigued by the Positive Psychology movement. This is, as advertised, a great introduction to it.
I'm really intrigued by the Positive Psychology movement. This is, as advertised, a great introduction to it.
People Found Who Don't Use Numbers
People Found Who Don't Use Numbers : Scientific American Podcast
I've read about this a number of times - very cool stuff. From a cultural and a brain-science perspective this is pretty awesome.
I've read about this a number of times - very cool stuff. From a cultural and a brain-science perspective this is pretty awesome.
As External Barriers Disappear, Internal Gender Gaps Widen
Findings - As External Barriers Disappear, Internal Gender Gaps Widen - NYTimes.com
This is an incredibly fascinating article. It has so much going on I'm not sure where to begin.
First I think it very interesting that the entire agenda of many "gender equalization" initiatives that are the hallmark of "advanced" societies focus on, if you really break it down to the basic elements, the various aspects of power and how they are manifest across gender. I would be very interested to see this study linked up to other studies on happiness to see if widening gaps in the personality differences (which appear to be in direct contrast to narrowing power gaps) lead to greater differences in happiness. I seem to recall some recent studies on happiness, but I don't remember the conclusions.
Also, this is another fun hit on how liberal viewpoints are not always the panacea they claim to be and when looked at from an individual level the effects can be unexpected and counter intuitive. Further it highlights how evolutionary theorizing is a non-starter. Evolutionary theorizing that tries to explain the phenomenon seem to be really scrambling to stretch the point. Not to mention that it really isn't talking about biological evolution, but social evolution - which is most definitely NOT the same thing.
Again, it's not that I disagree with evolution from a scientific standpoint (it is the best theory that fits the current evidence - from a scientific perspective) - it's just that it feels like such a waste of intellectual energy.
This is an incredibly fascinating article. It has so much going on I'm not sure where to begin.
First I think it very interesting that the entire agenda of many "gender equalization" initiatives that are the hallmark of "advanced" societies focus on, if you really break it down to the basic elements, the various aspects of power and how they are manifest across gender. I would be very interested to see this study linked up to other studies on happiness to see if widening gaps in the personality differences (which appear to be in direct contrast to narrowing power gaps) lead to greater differences in happiness. I seem to recall some recent studies on happiness, but I don't remember the conclusions.
Also, this is another fun hit on how liberal viewpoints are not always the panacea they claim to be and when looked at from an individual level the effects can be unexpected and counter intuitive. Further it highlights how evolutionary theorizing is a non-starter. Evolutionary theorizing that tries to explain the phenomenon seem to be really scrambling to stretch the point. Not to mention that it really isn't talking about biological evolution, but social evolution - which is most definitely NOT the same thing.
Again, it's not that I disagree with evolution from a scientific standpoint (it is the best theory that fits the current evidence - from a scientific perspective) - it's just that it feels like such a waste of intellectual energy.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Natural Selection Caused Human Male Belligerency
FuturePundit: Natural Selection Caused Human Male Belligerency
Wow - where to start with this......I think I'll file this one right next to all the "we have no free will" stuff and leave it at that.
Also - did they just look at males? And a mathematical model showed them this?
Also, you have to love the sentence in the abstract: "it may have effected human evolution" (emphasis mine)
I guess that's the key of the whole thing - theorists who have a particular viewpoint to put forward make an argument that may be true.
Admittedly, in social sciences that is generally the case, but particularly with evolutionary theory in social sciences you're looking at something that simply cannot be verified, much less tested or replicated by other tests. That's my primary beef with evolutionary theory - it's just not very scientific from a testability standpoint. It feels like just empty theorizing for the sake of being able to write a paper.
Wow - where to start with this......I think I'll file this one right next to all the "we have no free will" stuff and leave it at that.
Also - did they just look at males? And a mathematical model showed them this?
Also, you have to love the sentence in the abstract: "it may have effected human evolution" (emphasis mine)
I guess that's the key of the whole thing - theorists who have a particular viewpoint to put forward make an argument that may be true.
Admittedly, in social sciences that is generally the case, but particularly with evolutionary theory in social sciences you're looking at something that simply cannot be verified, much less tested or replicated by other tests. That's my primary beef with evolutionary theory - it's just not very scientific from a testability standpoint. It feels like just empty theorizing for the sake of being able to write a paper.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Problems recruiting men for college
Taking Care of Their Own :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education's Source for News, Views and Jobs
This is an interesting and growing problem. There are now officially more women enrolled in college than men, and it is a growing differential - with declining numbers of men each year.
There is a lot of discussion about getting more women into the sciences (especially the math-based sciences) and how big a problem it is that women don't join those disciplines in the numbers to equal men. However, I have a question regarding an even bigger gender disparity - what about education?
Degrees in education are quite simply dominated by women. I'm in the education department and I'm easily out-numbered 3 to 1 by women (I don't have hard data, and anecdotal evidence is not data - but I also haven't really looked for hard data yet). Why isn't there a push (or even barely a complaint) about the lack of men in education? Wouldn't that be a cause for equal concern? If we're shooting for gender equality across the disciplines then we should hear something about disciplines wherein there is a disparity either way.
I'm not sure why there isn't any real concern over the declining trend of men in college in general, or female biased degree programs - but it is definitely a problem.
Related thoughts here.
This is an interesting and growing problem. There are now officially more women enrolled in college than men, and it is a growing differential - with declining numbers of men each year.
There is a lot of discussion about getting more women into the sciences (especially the math-based sciences) and how big a problem it is that women don't join those disciplines in the numbers to equal men. However, I have a question regarding an even bigger gender disparity - what about education?
Degrees in education are quite simply dominated by women. I'm in the education department and I'm easily out-numbered 3 to 1 by women (I don't have hard data, and anecdotal evidence is not data - but I also haven't really looked for hard data yet). Why isn't there a push (or even barely a complaint) about the lack of men in education? Wouldn't that be a cause for equal concern? If we're shooting for gender equality across the disciplines then we should hear something about disciplines wherein there is a disparity either way.
I'm not sure why there isn't any real concern over the declining trend of men in college in general, or female biased degree programs - but it is definitely a problem.
Related thoughts here.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Mixed Results on Paying City Students to Pass Tests
Mixed Results on Paying City Students to Pass Tests - NYTimes.com
Well, duh. Seriously, do these folks not read experimental literature? If motivational research has taught us anything it is that expectation for reward does not yield significant positive results. In fact, in some situations, it can even be detrimental to self-regulated behavior.
Heck, even behaviorism (which would be the theoretical approach that this would be most closely tied with) leaves this one as a mixed result at best. The Premak principle, if nothing else, would tell you that the reward of money will mean a lot to some and remain almost meaningless to others. Picking one reward and trying to make it universal will always yield mixed results.
What did they expect? Was there anyone in the administration that honestly thought this would suddenly make everything better?
This is on par with the moronic decision by the Dallas ISD to not make homework count (essentially).
What is wrong with policy makers?
Well, duh. Seriously, do these folks not read experimental literature? If motivational research has taught us anything it is that expectation for reward does not yield significant positive results. In fact, in some situations, it can even be detrimental to self-regulated behavior.
Heck, even behaviorism (which would be the theoretical approach that this would be most closely tied with) leaves this one as a mixed result at best. The Premak principle, if nothing else, would tell you that the reward of money will mean a lot to some and remain almost meaningless to others. Picking one reward and trying to make it universal will always yield mixed results.
What did they expect? Was there anyone in the administration that honestly thought this would suddenly make everything better?
This is on par with the moronic decision by the Dallas ISD to not make homework count (essentially).
What is wrong with policy makers?
Biology Videos Now Available on PubMed
Biology Videos Now Available on PubMed | Wired Science from Wired.com
Not strictly brain-related, but this is still pretty fun.
Not strictly brain-related, but this is still pretty fun.
Professor McLain - officially
It's not a full-time professorship at a major university or anything, but I've recently been hired as an adjunct professor at a local community college. I'm very excited about it - and it was much easier to get the gig than I thought it was going to be.
So, although I have been teaching a class at ASU for some time, it was as a Teaching Assistant, not as an official Professor. Now it's official. I'm a professor.
A small step in the right direction.
So, although I have been teaching a class at ASU for some time, it was as a Teaching Assistant, not as an official Professor. Now it's official. I'm a professor.
A small step in the right direction.
The Value of Believing in Free Will
91974.pdf (application/pdf Object)
This has been referred to numerous times in the last couple of months, but here is the original study. The basic results are that when you prime students with the idea of determinism (they don't have free will) then they are more likely to cheat.
I'm looking forward to reading through this to see how it was all done. It's created quite a bit of controversy so seeing the original material is always valuable.
This has been referred to numerous times in the last couple of months, but here is the original study. The basic results are that when you prime students with the idea of determinism (they don't have free will) then they are more likely to cheat.
I'm looking forward to reading through this to see how it was all done. It's created quite a bit of controversy so seeing the original material is always valuable.
Music and the brain
Science Weekly podcast: Music and the brain; plus evolutionary psychology | Science | guardian.co.uk
I haven't listened to it yet, but it looks interesting.
I haven't listened to it yet, but it looks interesting.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Why not to use the Socratic method
Law & Business | Professor Bainbridge
Absolutely brilliant post by Professor Bainbridge. He's a law professor, but his thoughts on teaching are quite salient for anyone that teaches reasonably complex subject matter.
Absolutely brilliant post by Professor Bainbridge. He's a law professor, but his thoughts on teaching are quite salient for anyone that teaches reasonably complex subject matter.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Dallas does lame grading standards
Dallas schools plan to ease grading standards angers teachers | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News
Read the article - you won't believe what you're reading. This is absolute crap. You're basically removing responsibility from the students and placing it all with the parents and teachers. While this may seem good in theory (in some cotton-candy universe) it is just a horrible idea.
I won't argue that a lot of homework for students is very much in the vein of "busy-work" (homework for the sake of homework), and if that is the complaint then you need to address that at the teacher level. But simply removing all responsibility for completing work and doing additional learning outside of the classroom is sending a horrible message.
What kind of an uproar would this create if, for example, a college did this? School serves many purposes including creating a "well rounded" individual and helping create or encourage in the students the tools for success later in life - and the two are not mutually exclusive. In the real world you are ALWAYS going to be responsible for the work assigned to you - there are very few exceptions. Students need to learn how to handle a little personal responsibility for their own learning - a lesson which they will certainly learn in the collegiate ranks.
This kind of policy will only widen the gap and make it even more difficult for students to negotiate the transition to college.
And - I'm not alone in my criticism.
Read the article - you won't believe what you're reading. This is absolute crap. You're basically removing responsibility from the students and placing it all with the parents and teachers. While this may seem good in theory (in some cotton-candy universe) it is just a horrible idea.
I won't argue that a lot of homework for students is very much in the vein of "busy-work" (homework for the sake of homework), and if that is the complaint then you need to address that at the teacher level. But simply removing all responsibility for completing work and doing additional learning outside of the classroom is sending a horrible message.
What kind of an uproar would this create if, for example, a college did this? School serves many purposes including creating a "well rounded" individual and helping create or encourage in the students the tools for success later in life - and the two are not mutually exclusive. In the real world you are ALWAYS going to be responsible for the work assigned to you - there are very few exceptions. Students need to learn how to handle a little personal responsibility for their own learning - a lesson which they will certainly learn in the collegiate ranks.
This kind of policy will only widen the gap and make it even more difficult for students to negotiate the transition to college.
And - I'm not alone in my criticism.
Gender and Law Journal Submissions
The Volokh Conspiracy - -
I'm fairly certain that this is not the case in educational research, but I would like to see the very thing he is describing (a study of gender submission trends) by the major journal publications for the various sciences. That could prove to be very interesting.
I'm fairly certain that this is not the case in educational research, but I would like to see the very thing he is describing (a study of gender submission trends) by the major journal publications for the various sciences. That could prove to be very interesting.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Do Subatomic Particles Have Free Will?
Science News / Do Subatomic Particles Have Free Will?
Oh, for cryin' out loud.......now sub-atomic particles are getting in on the debate?
Science cannot answer the question from a human perspective, how the heck are they going to prove this from a sub-atomic particle perspective? Heck they're not even sure that they have the correct standard model yet!
Oh, for cryin' out loud.......now sub-atomic particles are getting in on the debate?
Science cannot answer the question from a human perspective, how the heck are they going to prove this from a sub-atomic particle perspective? Heck they're not even sure that they have the correct standard model yet!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
For Most People, College Is a Waste of Time
For Most People, College Is a Waste of Time - WSJ.com
The basic conclusion of the introduction is depressing, but generally true. The approach suggested by the author has merit as well.
Of course, the familiar argument (which the author addresses somewhat gamely) is that a BA is supposed to provide a "well rounded" education (hence the requirements for things like English, math and humanities based courses). However, I'm not convinced that goal is actually being realized. The 'required' classes are increasingly being taught almost exclusively by graduate TAs and are usually taught in 'auditorium' style classrooms with large numbers of students per class. I'm just not convinced of the effectiveness of a system like that.
However, all that being said, there is simply far too much money involved in education (especially government-backed state universities and colleges) for the system to change anytime soon.
Great idea though.
The basic conclusion of the introduction is depressing, but generally true. The approach suggested by the author has merit as well.
Of course, the familiar argument (which the author addresses somewhat gamely) is that a BA is supposed to provide a "well rounded" education (hence the requirements for things like English, math and humanities based courses). However, I'm not convinced that goal is actually being realized. The 'required' classes are increasingly being taught almost exclusively by graduate TAs and are usually taught in 'auditorium' style classrooms with large numbers of students per class. I'm just not convinced of the effectiveness of a system like that.
However, all that being said, there is simply far too much money involved in education (especially government-backed state universities and colleges) for the system to change anytime soon.
Great idea though.
What to Do about Global Warming
Cato Unbound » Blog Archive » Keeping Our Cool: What to Do about Global Warming
Again, normally I don't post a lot about politics or other science here (unless it's exceedingly cool science) - but I just read this article on how governments (and the western nations generally) should react to and plan for global warming and it was so good I had to link to it.
Of course, this extremely rational approach will never, EVER be actually implemented by politicians because it makes too much sense. You make headlines by doing something that appeals to your base, and more specifically if it appeals to the more vocal (read: extreme) groups within your base. The approach the author speaks about is a moderate, relatively hands-off approach (the basics are that we should be providing small-scale rewards based on very specific or narrow parameters similar to the much publicized X-prize competition for space). While wonderfully simplistic and realistic in terms of effect - it doesn't have the pizazz of a "We're going to stop global warming with our 'Man to the Moon' style massive government program!"
But here's hoping that some politician somewhere listens.
P.S.: there is some of this going on, but only a very small amount - for example McCain's proposal for a prize to be offered for a new type of battery technology. More of that, please.
Again, normally I don't post a lot about politics or other science here (unless it's exceedingly cool science) - but I just read this article on how governments (and the western nations generally) should react to and plan for global warming and it was so good I had to link to it.
Of course, this extremely rational approach will never, EVER be actually implemented by politicians because it makes too much sense. You make headlines by doing something that appeals to your base, and more specifically if it appeals to the more vocal (read: extreme) groups within your base. The approach the author speaks about is a moderate, relatively hands-off approach (the basics are that we should be providing small-scale rewards based on very specific or narrow parameters similar to the much publicized X-prize competition for space). While wonderfully simplistic and realistic in terms of effect - it doesn't have the pizazz of a "We're going to stop global warming with our 'Man to the Moon' style massive government program!"
But here's hoping that some politician somewhere listens.
P.S.: there is some of this going on, but only a very small amount - for example McCain's proposal for a prize to be offered for a new type of battery technology. More of that, please.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Textese May Be the Death of English
Technology: Textese May Be the Death of English | Newsweek International Edition | Newsweek.com
Kind of a misleading title again as right off the bat they show that recent studies have shown that people who are proficient at "texting" are also proficient at spelling.
As I have preached again and again on this blog, this is not a question of the "death" of the English language. It is an adaptation to current technology. And even if it is the "death" of the English language, so what? Languages adapt and change all the time - history has shown us that fact admirably (just try reading Beowulf sometime - ugh...). A little adaptation of language to incorporate current cultural trends in technology is not a bad thing - it's an inevitable thing. All the complaining is from mainly from conservative minds who probably had the same reservations on the inclusion of calculators into the classroom and the death of "hand writing" in favor of word processors.
My message to them? Relax. Go with the flow. You'll be much happier.
Kind of a misleading title again as right off the bat they show that recent studies have shown that people who are proficient at "texting" are also proficient at spelling.
As I have preached again and again on this blog, this is not a question of the "death" of the English language. It is an adaptation to current technology. And even if it is the "death" of the English language, so what? Languages adapt and change all the time - history has shown us that fact admirably (just try reading Beowulf sometime - ugh...). A little adaptation of language to incorporate current cultural trends in technology is not a bad thing - it's an inevitable thing. All the complaining is from mainly from conservative minds who probably had the same reservations on the inclusion of calculators into the classroom and the death of "hand writing" in favor of word processors.
My message to them? Relax. Go with the flow. You'll be much happier.
The Neurological Roots of Genius
High-Aptitude Minds: The Neurological Roots of Genius: Scientific American
Not a bad article overall. A good summary of a lot of recent studies. I like particularly their final statement: that practice and perseverance account for more than "smarts" - as a big proponent of motivation and self-regulatory behavior I firmly believe in that concept.
Not a bad article overall. A good summary of a lot of recent studies. I like particularly their final statement: that practice and perseverance account for more than "smarts" - as a big proponent of motivation and self-regulatory behavior I firmly believe in that concept.
Nature vs. Nurture - raising your child
What Your Child's DNA Can Tell You About Parenting
Not really surprising to anyone that has studied this type of thing. The percentages shift as to what is most dominant for any given child and shifts further in a given domain in the environment vs. genetics debate. But to assume that environment can completely override genetic conditions is a rather naive position.
Although I am of the opinion that a large amount of genetic pre-conditions (if you want to call them that) can be, at the very least, significantly mitigated by environmental factors.
Not really surprising to anyone that has studied this type of thing. The percentages shift as to what is most dominant for any given child and shifts further in a given domain in the environment vs. genetics debate. But to assume that environment can completely override genetic conditions is a rather naive position.
Although I am of the opinion that a large amount of genetic pre-conditions (if you want to call them that) can be, at the very least, significantly mitigated by environmental factors.
Brain chemistry and reward centers
Nature or nurture -- Are you who your brain chemistry says you are?
The headline is a bit misleading as the study has to do with brain chemistry as it relates to the reward dependency. So, while it could potentially relate to motivation, there is no specific research right now that points to motivation being 100% tied to biochemical rewards in the brain.
The headline is a bit misleading as the study has to do with brain chemistry as it relates to the reward dependency. So, while it could potentially relate to motivation, there is no specific research right now that points to motivation being 100% tied to biochemical rewards in the brain.
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