Implanting computers in human brains

I heard on the news that Silicon Valley companies are planning to implant computers in human brains! Is that for real?

This topic has been discussed for some time. Interfaces have been created for individuals for several years to help them control their body movements through the brain. That may be quite different, however, than having your brain hooked directly to a computer. If you surf the Internet you will find diverging views.

https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-schmidt-elon-musk-views-on-ai-are-wrong-2018-5?r=UK

https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ai-could-turn-humans-into-endangered-species-2018-11

https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/article/elon-musk-exactly-wrong-on-ai-says-former-google-chief/232509

https://gadgets.ndtv.com/science/news/elon-musk-ai-threat-regulations-1725569

III Dangling Participles

Dangling Participles III – a grammatical faux pas ·       Walking through the woods, the trees looked magnificent. ·       Freezing our hand off, the snow was fun to play in. ·       Reading quickly, the book was too exciting to put down. ·       After laying a very large egg, the farmer presented his favorite chicken. ·       If found guilty, the lawsuit could cost billions. ·       Driving like a maniac, Joe hit a deer. ·       Caution! Pedestrians slippery when wet. ·       Looking around the yard, dandelions sprouted in every corner.

Sugar and Fruit Juices, 3

“Does the higher sugar content mean one should never drink fruit juices?” Both the brain and body function best in balance and anything that triggers a blood sugar high can create imbalance. A small glass of orange juice while eating out for breakfast might be better than no fruit at all, but would be less beneficial than eating a whole fresh orange. Studies do point out that eating whole fruit is a better option than drinking the squeezed juice, especially when it has been filtered so no pulp or fiber is present. It is easy and fast to drink 8 or 12 ounces of fruit juice, as compared with eating the whole orange(s). The whole fruit, as compared with fruit juice, offers fewer calories from fructose and glucose and more nutrients. For those who are trying to stay within an optimum weight range, juices can be a not-easily-recognized source of extra calories.

Sugar and Fruit Juices, 2

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are: ·       Men:   37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons ·       Women: 25 grams or 6 teaspoons An average naval orange contains nearly 12 grams of sugar, but it also contains fiber that helps the body process the high fructose content and may even block some of the sugar from being absorbed. Even too much natural fruit can trigger a blood sugar high, that typically is followed by a blood sugar low. Such fluctuations are not good for optimum brain function.

Sugar and Fruit Juices

“Are Infants and babies really supposed to avoid drinking fruit juices?” Some recommendations suggest that babies under the age of 12 months should avoid fruit juice altogether in favor of their formula and water. This is due to studies indicating that sugar is a brain toxin. You can easily find various reports of sugar content in fruit juice on the Internet. Here are several examples (one teaspoon of sugar equals about 4 grams):

Tomato juice - 6 grams of sugar in 8 ounces Fruit punch – 11 grams Watermelon juice - 12 grams Grapefruit juice - 17 grams Unsweetened orange juice – 20 grams

Pomegranate juice – 32 grams Grape juice - 36 grams

Social Media Recommendations

Social Media platforms are used by an estimated one in every four individuals world-wide. Social media is being described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol. Although there are benefits to some of these platforms such as Facebook, dangers (especially to mental health) are being identified. Based on the results of the social medial research #StatusofMind, the Royal Society for Public Health in the United Kingdom has called for social media platforms to take action in order to help combat young users' feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. One of the recommendations was the need to place a warning on images that have been digitally manipulated (e.g., curated, filtered, and Photoshopped) in an attempt to make the images look “more perfect.” This can sometimes be seen in news sources that show an actress without makup (and looking quite ordinary) along with images of the same actress in “movie makeup (and sometimes almost unrecognizable).

Social Media – Benefits and Dangers

A study in the UK of social media options showed some unfortunate dangers. The use of social media is linked with a sense of isolation in young adults ages 14-24. YouTube presentations were found to have the most beneficial and positive impact. Unfortunately, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram were all found to have negative affects overall on the mental health of young people. Of these, Instragram topped the list of negative impacts, among young women especially. Contributors according to Matt Keracher, author of the report, include:

Encourages young women to:  "compare themselves against unrealistic, largely curated, filtered and Photoshopped versions of reality."

"feel as if their bodies aren't good enough as people add filters and edit their pictures in order for them to look 'perfect.'

Dangling Participles IV

Dangling Participles IV – a grammatical faux pas

·       Having finished off my dinner, the waiter offered to bring out a selection of desserts.

·       Waiting for the school bus, time dragged by very slowly.

·       One morning I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. (Groucho Marx)

·       That man caught a catfish with a hat on.

·       After returning from the dead, my sister set the plants outside.

·       The teacher’s aide passed out sandwiches to all the first graders in plastic bags.

·       Leaving the store, the frothy latte fell and exploded all over the man waiting at the bus stop.

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions, 7

Are more than fear and/or self-esteem issues involved with Bigotry?

Good question. There certainly may be a difference between a person’s own quietly-held bigotry and that of someone who is actively willing to “hurt” others because of their own not-so-quietly-held bigotry. It appears that a clinical psychologist who has spent the last 30 years studying the behavior of manipulative personalities and counselling their victims would say there was an additional element. George Simon Jr., PhD is said to be one of the foremost authorities on manipulative personalities and other problem characters. Reportedly he has specialized in disturbances of personality and character for over 30 years. Dr. Simon has spoken about the relationship with a person’s character, “specifically, the inherently malignantly narcissistic character of the bigot.” It is one thing to be very self-centered and dismissive of others. It’s another to view others with disdain or even contempt because they are different from you and then treat them differently. Simon wrote: “A pathological degree of grandiosity (i.e. malignant narcissism) is always at the root of bigotry.”

Scary thought, that, and he just may be correct.

Brain Bigotry - Common Questions, 6

So what about the supposed rhetoric about males and females being equally valuable because they exist as members of the same species?

I suppose that would partly reflect one’s definition of “Valuable.” If you accept that means “of great worth” across the board, that would impact behaviors differently than if you perceive “great worth” is then applied only to power, ability to earn money, class, and your name it. If you are male (in any culture) and have absorbed the perspective that you are superior to all females and subconsciously or consciously exhibit put-down behaviors, it matters because this can negatively impact relationships both personal and professional. You may minimize suggestions from females or ignore them altogether or exclude them from actively participating at the table of discussion for any number of reasons; or even blame her because her “direct communication style” feels threatening to the males involved (a style that would have been applauded if she were male); or even refusing to accept direction from a female superior. So rhetoric is one thing. Exhibited behaviors is quite another—especially when the behaviors do ot reflect the rhetoric..

Are more than fear and/or self-esteem issues involved with Bigotry?  (more to come) (more to come)

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions, 5

Can a person become bigoted about anything?

Well, think about it. Bigotry tends to involve a “belief,” that can turn into a strong “bias,” that can form the basis for behaviors that include bullying and bigotry behaviors. Many of these beliefs are thought to be absorbed by the age of five or seven, based on what you heard people say about you and to you—and what you heard and saw exhibited toward anyone who was different from you and members of your family system. If you grow up believing you are “superior to others because (you fill in the blank _____ ) and/or if you are also fearful of the unknown and have self-esteem or self-worth issues (either abysmally low or highly inflated), that’s a set-up for needing to find others “less than” in order to temporarily feel better about yourself. If you grew up believing that if you obtain an advanced education degree you are “much more intelligent and worth more” than those who do not, the tendency will be to look down on the less-well educated. My brain’s opinion is that this could apply to almost any area in life—perhaps with the exception of genuine spirituality—the spirit with which you live life.

So what about the rhetoric about males and females being equally valuable simply because they exist as members of the same species? (more to come)

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions, 4

Can you provide more examples? ”Unless you are “vegan” you are destroying yourself and the environment OR if you are carnivorous then vegans are stupid If you are atheist then “all religions are stupid and the people who embrace them are also stupid” OR if you are aligned with a specific religion then “anyone who isn’t religious as enpoused by “my religion” deserves to die” If you are politically conservative OR liberal this makes you much less ignorant than those who embrace the opposite position If you are racist or homophobic then any person who is a different color or anyone with a different sexual preference is evil if not completely depraved. If you are in power and take this as a “divine right” you may move toward becoming a dictator with absolute authority of the “peons who don’t have any brains. Can a person become bigoted about anything? (more to come)

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions, 3

What is the reason some people are more bigoted than others? Now that is a complex question! In many cases it may reach back to the core emotion of “fear.” Humans with self-esteem issues may tend to be more fearful of the unknown or of anything they do not clearly understand. Many feel “better” about themselves when they identify others to whom they can feel “superior.” This is a short term fix, admittedly, because those individuals must continually attempt to find someone they believe are inferior in order to temporarily feel better about themselves. So there is not just one reason. Humans can “feel better” momentarily by identifying almost anything they “would never do!” For example: Whatever a person’s race or culture, it is “better than” any other. The more money one has, the “better than” those with less Understanding technology makes one better than those who don’t Whatever a person’s “class” it is “better than” any lower class Classical music is “the only music there is” and anything else is depraved OR hard rock and rap “is where it’s at” and anyone who doesn’t understand or like it is crazy Can a person become bigoted about anything? (more to come)

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions, 2

 What else can bigotry involve?

Bigotry tends to involve underlying issues of anger, lack of knowledge or information, fear,  low levels of Emotional Intelligence, and self-esteem issues that can exacerbate fear and even suppress immune system function  (Note: Self-esteem issues tend to form a circular continuum: abysmally low versus over-inflated. Some are stuck at one position, others rotate between them.) Studies have shown that when children are exposed to people of many different cultures races and cultures, they are less likely to exhibit bigotry UNLESS their families / other adults / cultures teach it to them. Other studies have shown that when children are exposed ONLY to their own culture’s music, in adulthood they are less able to understand and appreciate the music of other cultures in adulthood.

What is the reason some people are more bigoted than others? (more to come)

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions

Bigotry? What does that have to do with beliefs and bullying behaviors? Bigotry can be defined as an obstinate devotion to one’s own beliefs, and a stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, opinion, race, culture, gender, that differs from one’s own. Bigotry can involve targets and categories that are similar to those of bullying, and anything else about which an individual has very strong emotions and feelings Examples may include: Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in the USA (a secret hate group founded in 1915, directed against Jews, Catholics, Blacks, Muslims, almost any foreign-born individuals, and some other groups). What else can bigotry involve? (more to come)

Brain Bigotry – Common Questions, 5

Can a person become bigoted about anything?

Well, think about it. Bigotry tends to involve a “belief,” that can turn into a strong “bias,” that can form the basis for behaviors that include bullying and bigotry behaviors. Many of these beliefs are thought to be absorbed by the age of five or seven, based on what you heard people say about you and to you—and what you heard and saw exhibited toward anyone who was different from you and members of your family system. If you grow up believing you are “superior to others because (you fill in the blank _____ ) and/or if you are also fearful of the unknown and have self-esteem or self-worth issues (either abysmally low or highly inflated), that’s a set-up for needing to find others “less than” in order to temporarily feel better about yourself. If you grew up believing that if you obtain an advanced education degree you are “much more intelligent and worth more” than those who do not, the tendency will be to look down on the less-well educated. My brain’s opinion is that this could apply to almost any area in life—perhaps with the exception of genuine spirituality—the spirit with which you live life.

So what about the supposed rhetoric about males and females being equally valuable simply because they exist as members of the same species? (more to come)

Brain Bullying – Common Questions, 4

So what can one do? Understand what bullying behaviors look like and stay alert. In adulthood it is important to stay alert to prevent bullying behaviors or deal with them effectively to help protect minors who feel powerless to avoid those behaviors. Teach children to tell you when they experience unpleasant behaviors and make it safe for them to do so. My brain’s opinion is that it is your job to protect both your brain and body¾leased to you for use on this planet¾from the bullying behaviors of others. Understand that bullying can include verbal, emotional, and physical bullying along with almost any other category you can name. Sometimes this involves hard and even painful decisions such as refusing to be around those who exhibit bullying behaviors toward you. Beliefs (and bullying behaviors) can also morph into bigotry. Bigotry? What does that have to do with beliefs and bullying behaviors? (more to come)

Brain Bullying – Common Questions, 3

Who are the targets and what are the categories of bullying behaviors? Targets? Oh my. Have you ever seen or heard of a human being bullying animals and birds including torturing them? Certainly almost any person could become a target, especially when they differ from the person exhibiting the bullying behavior. For example, differences could include: race, skin color, region of origin (indigenous); facial appearance; body shape—fat, thin, big, small, malformed; diet and/or other health-related choices; sexual orientation; religion; politics, et cetera. Sadly, some studies have found no difference in bullying behaviors between non-Christian and Christian schools—which begs the question about reputedly desirable behaviors being exhibited by Christians. Categories of bullying behaviors can include almost anything, including: verbal, physical, mental, emotional, relational, racial, cultural, region of origin, skin color, religious, abuse of any type, gender, cyberbullying, sexting, financial, black mail, sexual coercion including marital and other rapes, torture . . . So what can one do? (more to come)

Brain Bullying – Common Questions, 2

Where do bullying behaviors come from? Studies show that bullying behaviors are learned—and begin early, by age two if normal aggression is mishandled. Some may have a genetically higher tendency for aggression (perhaps due to cellular memory or gestational experience) and gravitate toward it. Typical profile: individuals usually have a good level of self-esteem but tend to come from a background of bullying and abuse; possess a sense of entitlement and superiority over others; lack compassion, impulse control, and social skills; some are just mean and cruel and feel good only when they harm others or make them feel bad—which helps the bullying brain feel momentarily better than the victims or that it has the right to hurt someone else because it was hurt. Who are the targets and what are the categories of bullying behaviors? (more to come)

Brain Bullying – Common Questions

What do you mean, bullying behaviors? Bullying can be defined as a subcategory of aggressive behavior that is characterized by three minimum criteria: •        Hostile intent to harm or humiliate someone •        Imbalance of power including perceptions about physical strength, popularity, looks, position, embarrassing information, finances, beliefs, values--almost any difference from the brain that is doing the bullying behavior •        Repetition in that it happened more than once or has the potential for happening again Bullying behaviors occur throughout society and not just in schools. It occurs in marriages, relationships, sports, beliefs about politics and/or religion, and you name it. Where do bullying behaviors come from? (more to come)

Happy September 4th - Dangling Particples III

Dangling Participles III – a grammatical faux pas

 Walking through the woods, the trees looked magnificent.

·       Freezing our hand off, the snow was fun to play in.

·       Reading quickly, the book was too exciting to put down.

·       After laying a very large egg, the farmer presented his favorite chicken.

·       If found guilty, the lawsuit could cost billions.

·       Driving like a maniac, Joe hit a deer.

·       Caution! Pedestrians slippery when wet.

·       Looking around the yard, dandelions sprouted in every corner.