According to a WSJ (12/22/2009), "Airlines Face Big Fines for Delays." The new rules, which will take effect in April, 2010 could include fines as much as $27,500 per passenger. On a plane carrying 120 passengers, a three hour delay could result in a $3.3 million dollar fine.
Airlines will be forced to comply with the new rules, "even though we believe it will lead to unintended consequences -- more canceled flights and greater passenger inconvenience." Again, it is easy to remind everyone of the "signature" quote on the title page... Why do we continue to allow creation and implementation of "rules" that have consequences, both positive and negative, that can be clearly identified -- before the "rules" are implemented?
Monday, December 28, 2009
UC Track: Health Care
Health care reform is critically needed in this country -- yet it appears we are going to be unable to create reform that is not built on political issues more than it is based (as it should be) on an objective assessment of needs, costs, and solutions. Maybe not possible but...
According to a recent posting from Employee Benefit News, one of the biggest issues of the current health care reforms are "unintended consequences feared." I don't have to repeat the quote that is prominantly posted on the title page of "Thinking Tracks." I can repeat the simple challenge: why are we unwilling to carefully examine the potential implications, both positive and negative, that are associated with every aspect of something as important as health care?
According to a recent posting from Employee Benefit News, one of the biggest issues of the current health care reforms are "unintended consequences feared." I don't have to repeat the quote that is prominantly posted on the title page of "Thinking Tracks." I can repeat the simple challenge: why are we unwilling to carefully examine the potential implications, both positive and negative, that are associated with every aspect of something as important as health care?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Music Unlocks Memories
An article in the WSJ (11/17/2009) presents a compelling report of how music appears to help patients, from stroke victims to dementia patients, recall memories -- or in some cases help regain skills. Stroke victims have been aided in recovery by music as they recovered walking skills. Dementia patients have recovered seemingly lost memories and even regained some cognitive function with the aid of music -- even when they've lost memories of names and faces.
The power of music...
The power of music...
Monday, November 02, 2009
The Brain: Success versus Failure
According to a Headlines posting in Scientific American Mind (November-December 2009), the amount of dopamine released in the brain when we've had success completing a task improves neural processing and encourages similar or better performance when repeating the task. "Success has a much greater influence on the brain than failure."
However, as the research notes, (information which is very consistent with others like that discussed in Mindset), this means we need to pay more attention to failures, "consciously encouraging our brain to learn a little more from failure than it would be default."
However, as the research notes, (information which is very consistent with others like that discussed in Mindset), this means we need to pay more attention to failures, "consciously encouraging our brain to learn a little more from failure than it would be default."
More Research on Multi-Tasking
According to a "Headlines" posting in Scientific American Mind (November-December, 2009), still another research stufy adds evidence to the postion that we cannot really "multi-task." What's interesting about this research, however, is that it narrows what we know about why. The research shows that it is the prefrontal cortext of the brain that can only handle one item at a time. Through training and practice, it appears we can speed up the ability to quickly switch from one task to another (what's becoming known as "switch-tasking") but this latest MRI-based research states we will never be able to develop true multi-tasking ability.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Wandering Minds Lead to Insight
According to a WSJ (6/19/09) article, some of the latest research on the brain shows that daydreaming clearly leads to "breakthrough moments" and innovation.
According to the article/research, "In fact, our brain may be most actively engaged when our mind is wandering and we've actually lost track of our thoughts." Solving a problem with insight is fundamentally different from solving a problem analytically."
Comment: This research is also supported by some of the materials in a very good book, "How We Decide." It's also supported by the "playful" nature of creative thinking tools like Edward de Bono's Lateral Thinking.
According to the article/research, "In fact, our brain may be most actively engaged when our mind is wandering and we've actually lost track of our thoughts." Solving a problem with insight is fundamentally different from solving a problem analytically."
Comment: This research is also supported by some of the materials in a very good book, "How We Decide." It's also supported by the "playful" nature of creative thinking tools like Edward de Bono's Lateral Thinking.
Brain Track: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
A follow-up to the previous post: As part of my preparation for a three workshop on "Thinking Clearly and Analytically" I pushed to work through both of the "Professor Layton" games for the Nintendo DS system. They are very similar, ten mysteries that the "Professor" and his assistant Luke solve as part of a larger "story." As noted in the previous post, the games in this series can provide over 20 hours of play time -- and there are more than 100 puzzles available.
The puzzles, in their variety and wide range of difficulty, are the strength of this game. In a few cases, the same puzzle is provided two or three times in progressively more complicated versions -- very good progressive "practice" for logical thinking. Also as noted, the fact that as a player you can't easily turn to the back of the book for the answers is a good trait.
I thought the the "Diabolical Box" version of Professor Layton was a bit harder than "Curious Village," although my total play time, puzzles solved, picarets earned, etc. were very similar. But because of the multiple locations of the "Diabolical Box" mystery, compared to the single location of the "Village" I found myself just wondering around at times. On the other hand, the first half of "Diabolical Box" takes place on a luxurious train which was certainly delightful for me.
The puzzles, in their variety and wide range of difficulty, are the strength of this game. In a few cases, the same puzzle is provided two or three times in progressively more complicated versions -- very good progressive "practice" for logical thinking. Also as noted, the fact that as a player you can't easily turn to the back of the book for the answers is a good trait.
I thought the the "Diabolical Box" version of Professor Layton was a bit harder than "Curious Village," although my total play time, puzzles solved, picarets earned, etc. were very similar. But because of the multiple locations of the "Diabolical Box" mystery, compared to the single location of the "Village" I found myself just wondering around at times. On the other hand, the first half of "Diabolical Box" takes place on a luxurious train which was certainly delightful for me.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Brain Track: Professor Layton and... (DS)
I hesitated to post on the extremely popular Nintendo DS game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, even though I did purchase it -- but hadn't played through it. Now I have and I'm eagerly finding time to play the second edition, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box.
There has been an explosion of "brain games" for the Nintendo DS Lite and Wii game systems. Most are interesting, fun, and if you believe that simply "practicing" mental activity is good for you, then they all have some value. I've tried many (probably not most because it's hard to keep up).
While the Professor Layton games occasionally get absorbed in the story, my reaction is that helps maintain the interest instead of just working on "puzzles." Each game contains well over 100 puzzles, with even more available from an online download -- plus "mysteries" which are solved by Professor Layton -- but followed by the player because of the logic used to discover and "put the pieces together."
The puzzles include classics of almost all types, several new variations, and a wide range of difficulty (although that may relate in part to the player's skill in logical thinking). But if you're looking for some serious practice on the basics of logical thinking -- these games are excellent. I've always been hesitant to recommend many of the "books" on logical thinking puzzles because for the most part the fact that the answers are printed in the back of the book makes it too easy for people to stop trying and simply go for the "ah ha!" In the Professor Layton series, you cannot get the answers (although they're out there online) but you can get three different hints that are usually helpful in guiding you to the solution.
Some might consider the games expensive ($ 25 - $30), you can easily get 20 plus hours of play time for one player, so hourly that's a very good return. More importantly to practice basic logical thinking, both of these are excellent.
I have to point out that, although I have just begun the second edition, it looks like it will be my favorite because much of it takes place on a train.
There has been an explosion of "brain games" for the Nintendo DS Lite and Wii game systems. Most are interesting, fun, and if you believe that simply "practicing" mental activity is good for you, then they all have some value. I've tried many (probably not most because it's hard to keep up).
While the Professor Layton games occasionally get absorbed in the story, my reaction is that helps maintain the interest instead of just working on "puzzles." Each game contains well over 100 puzzles, with even more available from an online download -- plus "mysteries" which are solved by Professor Layton -- but followed by the player because of the logic used to discover and "put the pieces together."
The puzzles include classics of almost all types, several new variations, and a wide range of difficulty (although that may relate in part to the player's skill in logical thinking). But if you're looking for some serious practice on the basics of logical thinking -- these games are excellent. I've always been hesitant to recommend many of the "books" on logical thinking puzzles because for the most part the fact that the answers are printed in the back of the book makes it too easy for people to stop trying and simply go for the "ah ha!" In the Professor Layton series, you cannot get the answers (although they're out there online) but you can get three different hints that are usually helpful in guiding you to the solution.
Some might consider the games expensive ($ 25 - $30), you can easily get 20 plus hours of play time for one player, so hourly that's a very good return. More importantly to practice basic logical thinking, both of these are excellent.
I have to point out that, although I have just begun the second edition, it looks like it will be my favorite because much of it takes place on a train.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Memory Recall and Doodling
According to a recent study published in "Applied Cognitive Psychology," "doodling" actually assists in helping remember details while listening. Dreaing meaningless mazes, boxes -- created a 29% improved recall. It appears that the doodling removes the daydreaming without affecting performance on the main task.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Brain Fitness Guide
SharpBrains has just released an excellent book, the SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. SharpBrains has quickly become the leader in monitoring the wide range of research, news, and products in this fast developing area.
The Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness: 18 Interviews with Scientists, Practical Advice, and Product Reviews, to Keep Your Brain Sharp
The Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness: 18 Interviews with Scientists, Practical Advice, and Product Reviews, to Keep Your Brain Sharp
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