Psyber

Sleep is not just a blank space in your life, it is an essential bodily function. Sleep deficiency causes mental and physical deterioration over time, and has been used as a torture technique. Anyone would be mad to do it to themselves.

In practical terms I have found animals can and do initiate interaction. Where we live there are many wild parrots and we have a bird-feeder to dispense seed and attract them. If we forget to top it up we get different responses from different varieties of parrot. Sulphur-crested Parrots come, look and go away. Rosellas sit on the feeder and whistle. King Parrots come round to the other side of the house to the kitchen or study, find you, light on the window sill and whistle at you and even tap on the glass with their beaks if you don't respond to the whistles. When you get up they meet you at the feeder - yes I can recognise individual birds by their markings. That behaviour seems to imply a certain awareness and intent.

Genetic selection over many generations of those tolerated around human campsites changed the innate make up - the animals that attacked humans were killed or driven off and did not contribute to the next generation. Later active and deliberate selection came into play. It is rather like the way grass became wheat really - humans liked the grass that grew bigger seeds and tore out its competition and thus selected in favour of the bigger seeds.

What I have found, over years in dog showing and obedience training before I gave it up to do other things, is that nasty people have nasty dogs, regardless of breed. However, there are breeds that do have risky tendencies and need careful handling. For example Borzoi tend to be more irritable and snappy than some other sight hounds like Scottish Deerhounds or Irish Wolfhounds. Wolfies tend to be soft and cuddly, but protective, but I have met one that made me nervous - so did his alcoholic and nasty owner. Dalmatians can be "very" anything - whichever way they go it is with enthusiasm. Prior to lifting the ban on importing new blood into Australia, local German Shepherds tended to be nervous "fear-biters". This has changed now there is a broader genetic base. Genetics and training/example both play a part - in dogs and humans.

So do lots of things that taste better! [Actually, I like Broccoli.]

I tried Avast - couldn't stand the US accents in the update announcements. OK I could have replaced them, but I preferred AVG anyway. I think Kapersky is the way to go if you are spending money.

I read somewhere that most German government departments are using a Linux based OS. Hospitals here are abandoning M$ Office for Open Office. IE7?? I have not used any version of IE in years, in fact I have it totally locked down so it can't open. IE and an MSN web site - the optimum mix for a guaranteed instant crop of malware. I use Opera for email and browsing usually, but keep Firefox on hand for those sites that are so M$ orientated they cannot run in Opera, which demands international standards be upheld.

Age group would be interesting too, perhaps?

Mica was my first impression too.

I want evidence, not theory and blind faith, that human effects are having meaningful impact and do not pale into insignificance in comparison with other concurrent factors before I regard them as the proven cause of current changes, but I do think we should act to reduce our contribution, anyway, because even if it in not now a major factor it could become one soon. I did not assert that humans were having NO effect, just that I was not convinced by those who assume the human effect is the cause of this recent episode of climate change on such slim grounds, based on figures for a relatively few years despite evidence of major climate changes in the past. My objection is to the blind faith of popular consensus and political correctness, that has caused many unfounded beliefs to be sustained for years in the past - flat earth, Phlogiston, etc.

Or even a good old fashioned lead one.

I have patted several of the "Pit Bull" types breeds at dog shows and only ever got licked. On the other hand I knew a family who were dominated by their very aggressive Cocker Spaniel. There are two factors to consider: 1. Yes, certain breeds were bred for fighting and can more easily be induced to be aggressive, or can act aggressively if accidentally provoked by un-dog-wise behaviour - e.g. by unsupervised or untrained children. 2. Certain aggressive types of humans choose the known "aggressive" breeds because they want to use them as weapons ot tools of intimidation. We have had a series of Irish Wolfhounds. The last one was 90cm at the shoulder and weighed 80Kg [ 35" and 178 pounds] and was gentle as a lamb, and could be led around witha lead held loosely in one hand, but he had been trained to be like that since he was 12 weeks old and they are innately gently. However, a neighbour's aggressive Rottweiler would back away and keep at least a 15 foot gap because it was intimidated by his sheer size.

When one considers epigenetics as well one must think change continues, even if we do not see it happening. Why should it stop?! Our environment has changed - in the last generation our society has started to favour those who can multitask with their phones and computers, and removed the need for the sustained concentration needed for tasks like reading books and doing calculations in their heads instead of with a machine. Some studies suggest the flashing light of TV sceens and computer monitors may modify EEG detectible electrical patterns towards more short-term focus and more reactivity - ADHD like patterns. For example, the change of style shows up if you compare the new "Dr Who" series with those from the 1970s. The new series is full of noise and frenetic activity/reactivity, but contains less philosphy and consideration. Where may this lead us??

I don't KNOW anything, but I am considering what is going on. It does appear that global warming is occurring, but I do not think it is proven whether it is a result of man's activities or part of longer term natural cycles. I do think it makes sense to reduce our polluting effect anyway just in case! "Global Warming" however does appear to be a separate thing and take the form of a religious faith, belittling of those who don't blindy and totally accept the revealed Truth.

I have an IQ above the 99th percentile and am generally very happy with my life, but it is never quite that simple. I do have times when I am frustrated and unhappy, and times when I would say I am average in mood. And I am on antidepressant medication for a genetic predisposition that runs in the family, but that has been well controlled for 10 years after a bad two year patch. However, it recurs when I try to ease them out so I am staying on them, as so long as I do I am fine. To look at any causal relationship between IQ and happiness you would need to eliminate from your sample all those with other genetic factors - that on Chromosome 6 carried by 8% predisposing to depression/OCD, and that on 11 linked to Bipolar Spectrum Disorders in possibly 2%. [i quote the Chromosome numbers from memory and I may not be absolutely correct.] There has been a recent study suggesting that Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder may have a common genetic root. Reference: Shao, L. Vawter, M. et al. 2008, ‘Shared gene expression alterations in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder’ Biological Psychiatry; doi.org /10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.11.010. Ravens Progressive Matrices tend to eliminate education and knowledge as a factor in testing. One could argue about whether they do so totally.

Some might argue that reacting with revulsion indicated some insecurity, but it may simply reflect relative youth, or inexperience in dealing with the issue. In my line of work I have mixed with a lot of gay guys, and have occasionally had to just grin and say, "Sorry, I'm straight, mate!" when one has shown specific interest. That is usually all that it takes. It has only once been a problem - I did have to elbow one guy who persisted in rubbing against me from behind in doorways after I had given him several polite warnings. Then I also had to deal firmly with a woman who took to following me around and standing too close at one stage too. There is not a lot of difference in the behaviour of the two groups really.

You've read the one about the "PAK" too, hey!

No, it is a rather old descriptive concept. However, OCD is linked to a gene on the short arm of Chromosome 6 - I think it is 6 from memory - I don't have a copy of the paper handy.

"sicko." Interesting. Overall here in Oz I thnk we had a good compromise, but it now has its problems. The states supply and fund emergency care and free care for the uninsured, while the Federal government subsidises private health insurance by about 30% to cover hospitalisation and ancillary services like Physio, Dental care, and optometry etc. In addition the Federal government pays 85% of private medical fees based on their list of standard medical fees. Problems arise, however, because the states skimp on what they are supposed to supply to varying extents and try to blame it on the feds. Also the feds skimp on adjustments for inflation and so their fee list [the Medical Benefit Schedule] has risen be only 64% of inflation in the last 35 years. So, an increasing percentage of the poorer patients are being given minimal care at state level, and can now barely afford to go private like they used too. 30 years ago doctors would "bulk-bill" the government and accept the 85% the MBS for the poor, but that is no longer viable. The problem is the bureaucracy likes the idea of a UK style NHS, in which they can ration health care to control costs, by maintaining their idea of reasonable waiting time for treatment. Also about 20 years ago a federal socialist ["Labor"] government here decided we had too many doctors who were seeing patients unnecesarily and cut funding for medical training in Universities, to save the running costs of the health scheme. There was never an excess, so now we have a doctor shortage. Details here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

I experimented in speed reading in my Uni days. I read a friend's Psychology text book for the year in two hours once some years later and got a good enough overview to be able to discuss issues in it, but already having background in the topic to hang it on helped. It can give you an overall impression of the thrust, but I agree it is less applicable in Science where you need to digest the details thoroughly. It can be useful with novels or for assessing a book or article about a topic you are familiar with. I used to speed read texts to get an overall shape, then go back and read in detail.

I suspect that along with overuse of antibiotics the lapse - at least here in Australia - of the old custom of wiping down all ward surfaces with a mixture of methylated spirit and water daily has been a factor. Hospital linen if of a synthetic mix may also be being washed at a temperature to prevent the fabric cracking up, and thus not killing bugs. Cotton and Linen will cope with 60C plus but common synthetics won't. My old Microbiology Professor used to demonstrate the growth of bacteria in various commercial "antiseptic" solutions at various strengths, and contrast the results with the slower growth in soapy water and a water and ethanol mix.

Yeah, some you can't open without special tools, and if you buy integrated video with no slot for something better you are in trouble.. I can't remember the name offhand but there is a company marketing a laptop case which is designed to let you swap generic components in and out.

I tend to agree. I have a pair of WD Raptor 36GB HDDs striped giving me about 68GB of usuable space and after 3 years have used 15GB so far. Of course I do periodically take off the redundant rubbish rather than hoard everything. The machine also has a 150GB HDD on to which I put multiple back ups of the things that do matter. On the other hand a friend of mine said his 3 kids downloaded 53GB over the Christmas break this year - basically in movies and pop music - I suggested they have too much leisure time and should be sold into slavery!

Yeah, guess I started it making a comment 2 months after the last post on the thread, but it seemed to be an aspect no one had considered, and which may be useful to someone who got something similar in future. I overlooked the possibility people may then respond to it as a current thread.

The term "Major Tranquilliser" is a very old one, and most of the old medications existent when the term was coined were sedating. But some modern ones are not generally so. However, this effect also varies from person to person - a specific medication may make one person drowsy and not do so to another. The trick is to find the right one, or combination, for the individual, which hard-pressed public services tend not to spend time doing. As about 50% of the incidence of depression, and all the Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, are genetically/biochemically driven, and it appears Schizophrenia has both genetic and other organic elements to it, counselling does not have a primary role in treating these. However, it may be useful in helping people come to terms with, and learn to cope with, their condition - so long as the affected person does not get into the hands of one of those "give up those dreadful drugs and let me cure you" nutters.