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Forum # 9 - Mental Illnesses -> Bipolar
Disorder/Schizophrenia/Depression -> Re: Bipolar
Disorder/Schizophrenia/Depression by ALBERT
PEIA - Friday, August 7, 2009, 07:20 PM |
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Thank you for your reply. For whatever reason, the lists did not take
on the post so are included hereafter. Regards! Famous People
with Bipolar Disorder Much of this list was obtained from the Internet. Actors & Actresses Ned Beatty Artists Alvin Alley, dancer, choreogapher Entrepreneurs Robert Campeau Financiers John Mulheren Miscellaneous Buzz Aldrin, astronaut Musicians Ludwig van Beethoven, composer Poets John Berryman Political Robert Boorstin, special assistant to President Clinton Scholars John Strugnell, biblical scholar Scientists Karl Paul Link, chemist Sports Shelley Beattie, bodybuilding, sailing TV & Radio Dick Cavett Writers Louis Althusser, philosopher, writer Famous people who have had schizophrenia Wednesday, 11. January 2006, 02:13:50 6025 (former rhythm
guitarist of the Dead Kennedys) Depressed? 135 Famous People Who Struggled With
Depression Ansel AdamsPhotographer John Adams2nd President of the United States Drew BarrymoreActress, ET, Charlies Angels Maurice BenardActor, General Hospital Mary Kay BergmanVoice over actress, South
Park, committed suicide in 1999 Halle BerryActress, Monsters Ball, Catwoman Lorena BobbittCut off her husbands penis Lorraine BraccoActress, Sopranos Terry BradshawFormer Pittsburgh Steelers
quarterback Zach BraffActor, Scrubs Russell BrandActor, Comedian, Forgetting Sarah
Marshall Issac BrockModest Mouse frontman Delta BurkeActress, Designing Women Barbara BushWife of former President George H.W.
Bush Melanie CFormer Spice Girl -Sporty Spice Truman CapoteAuthor, Breakfast at Tiffanys Drew CareyActor, Drew Carey Show, Price Is
Right host Karen CarpenterSinger, The Carpenters Jim CarreyActor, Ace Ventura, Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Helena Bonham CarterActress, Fight Club,
Sweeney Todd Mark David ChapmanAssassinated John Lennon Seung-Hui ChoKilled 32 people and himself at
Virginia Tech in 2007 Frederic ChopinClassical music composer Christine ChubbuckTV news reporter, committed
suicide during a live broadcast Winston ChurchillFormer Prime Minister of the UK Grover Cleveland22nd and 24th President of the
United States Kurt CobainLead singer of Nirvana, committed
suicide in 1994 Calvin Coolidge30th President of the United
States Sheryl CrowSinger, All I Wanna Do Adrianne CurryModel/actress, Surreal Life-
Season 4? Rodney DangerfieldActor, comedian, Caddyshack Bobby DarinSinger, Splish Splash Charles DarwinEnglish naturalist, came up with
the theory of evolution Ellen DeGeneresComedian, talk show host John DenverFolk singer-songwriter, Rocky
Mountain High Princess Diana1st wife of Prince Charles, known
for her charity work Charles DickensNovelist, A Christmas Carol Emily DickinsonPoet, she published fewer than a
dozen of her nearly 1,800 poems Micky DolenzDrummer for the Monkees Kirsten DunstActress, Bring It On,
Spider-Man film series Queen Elizabeth IIQueen of England Colin FarrellActor, Alexander, Miami Vice Dodi Al-FayedFilm producer, Princess Dianas boyfriend Betty FordFormer first lady, founder of the
Betty Ford Center Harrison FordActor, Indiana Jones movie series Jaimee FoxworthActress, Family Matters Dennis FranzActor, NYPD Blue Greta GarboSilent film actress, The Temptress Judy GarlandActress, Wizard of Oz Janeane GarofaloActress, stand-up comedian, The
Truth About Cats & Dogs Marvin GayeSinger, Lets Get It On Jane GoodallPrimate researcher Tipper GoreWife of former Vice President Al Gore Dorothy HamillFigure skater, Olympic champion Anne HathawayActress, The Devil Wears Prada Goldie HawnActress, The First Wives Club Ernest HemingwayAuthor, The Old Man and the
Sea Florence HendersonActress, Brady Bunch Audrey HepburnFilm and stage actress, Breakfast
at Tiffanys James HetfieldLead singer of Metallica Paris HiltonHeiress, socialite, reality show
star- The Simple Life Adolf HitlerChancellor of Germany, committed
suicide when Germany was about to be taken over Dustin HoffmanActor, Rain Man Anthony HopkinsActor, Silence of the Lambs Andrew Jackson7th President of the United States Thomas Jefferson3rd President of the United
States Billy JoelPianist, singer-songwriter, Piano
Man Elton JohnSinger, composer, pianist, Candle in
the Wind Lyndon B. Johnson36th President of the United
States Ashley JuddActress, Double Jeopardy Tawny KitaenActress, Bachelor Party Christopher KnightActor, Brady Bunch Kris KristoffersonCountry music
singer-songwriter, actor, Big Top Pee-Wee Artie LangeStand-up comedian, radio personality,
actor, The Howard Stern Show Hugh LaurieActor, House Martin LawrenceActor, comedian, director, Big
Mommas House Amy LeeLead singer of Evanescence, Bring Me
to Life Monica LewinskyWhite House intern, had an
inappropriate relationship with President Bill Clinton Meriwether LewisExplorer, Lewis and Clark
Expedition Abraham Lincoln16th President of the United
States Bai LingActress, The Crow John MahoneyActor, Frasier Shirley MansonLead singer Garbage, Stupid
Girl George MichaelSinger, Faith, frontman of
Wham! MichelangoArtist, David statue, painting on
ceiling of the Sistine Chapel Carmen MirandaSamba singer, known as the lady
in the tutti-frutti hat Claude MonetPainter, founder of French
Impressionist painting Marilyn MonroeActress, model, fashion icon,
death by probably suicide Mandy MooreSinger, Candy Aaron NevilleSinger, Dont Know Much Isaac NewtonAstronomer, philosopher, credit for
coming up with principles of modern physics Alfred NobelFounder of Nobel Prize, chemist,
engineer, inventor of dynamite Sinead OConnorIrish singer-songwriter, ripped
up a picture of the pope Rosie ODonnellActress, comedian, talk show host Tatum ONealChild actress, adult drug abuser Jack OsbourneSon of Ozzy Osbourne, The
Osbournes reality star Ozzy OsbournePrince of Darkness, Black
Sabbath singer Marie OsmondVariety show actress, talk show host Dolly PartonCountry music singer-songwriter,
philanthropist James Cash PenneyFounded the J.C.Penney stores Franklin Pierce 14th President of the United
States Sylvia PlathPoet, committed suicide at age 30 Edgar Allan PoeShort story writer, The Raven Lisa Marie PresleyElvis Presleys daughter,
singer-songwriter Richard PryorComedian, actor, writer Robin QuiversRadio show personality, The Howard
Stern Show Christina RicciActress, Casper, Speed Racer Little RichardSinger, songwriter, pianist,
Tutti Frutti Joan RiversComedian, red carpet interviewer RuPaulDrag performer, actor, singer, talk show
host Winona RyderActress, shoplifter, Heathers Charles SchulzPeanuts cartoon creator Monica SelesTennis player, stabbed by Steffi
Grafs stalker Brooke ShieldsActress, former model, Lipstick
Jungle Anna Nicole SmithMarried to billionaire, model,
reality show queen Yeardley SmithVoice of Lisa on the Simpsons Suzanne SomersActress, Threes Company Britney SpearsSinger, train wreck, Oops! I Did
it Again Scott StappLead singer of Creed Darryl StrawberryBaseball player with a long rap
sheet Donna SummerSinger-songwriter, Queen of Disco James TaylorSinger-songwriter, Youve Got a
Friend Mark TwainAuthor, Huckleberry Finn Vincent Van GoghPainter, Starry Night Kurt VonnegutAuthor, Slaughterhouse Five Rick WarrenAuthor, Purpose Driven Life George Washington1st President of the United
States Carnie WilsonSinger, Wilson Phillips Owen WilsonActor, You, Me and Dupree Virginia WoolfNovelist, drowned herself by
putting stones in her pocket and walking into the River Ouse Andrea YatesDrowned her 5 kids because of
postpartum depression in 2001 |
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Forum # 9 - Mental Illnesses -> Bipolar
Disorder/Schizophrenia/Depression by ALBERT
PEIA - Friday, August 7, 2009, 08:33 AM |
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Though my post includes bipolar disorder, I had occasion to observe
directly, from a distance, a "trauma induced case" of
schizophrenia which progressively worsened and which I will briefly reference
though without knowledge of outcome (the mean trick, actually worse than a
trick, perpetrated by a sick adult which literally prompted a young girls
suicide recently in the news is another cautionary reason for inclusion), and
as well, major depression so that I will have a
cursory understanding of what are probably the three major psychological
disorders. 1 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=2.
2 Bipolar Disorder From high to low, mania to
depression, recklessness to listlessness are the extremes associated with
bipolar disorder. This mental illness is noteworthy for the attendant mood
instability that can be serious as well as disabling. Bipolar disorder is
sometimes referred to as either manic-depression or manic-depressive illness
where the extremes are manic behavior or depression. Manic phase of bipolar disorder Euphoria Extreme optimism Inflated self-esteem Poor judgment Rapid speech Racing thoughts Aggressive behavior Agitation Increased physical activity Risky behavior Spending sprees Increased drive to perform or achieve
goals Increased sexual drive Decreased need for sleep Tendency to be easily distracted Inability to concentrate Drug abuse Depressive phase of bipolar disorder Sadness Hopelessness Suicidal thoughts or behavior Anxiety Guilt Sleep problems Appetite problems Fatigue Loss of interest in daily activities Problems concentrating Irritability Chronic pain without a known cause Treatments Medications Mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers help
regulate and stabilize mood so that you don't swing between depression and
mania, ie., Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) Anti-seizure medications. Used to prevent
mood swings, especially in people with rapid cycling bipolar disorder, also
known as anticonvulsants.
Antidepressants. Use of
antidepressants in bipolar disorder is controversial since in some cases they
can trigger manic episodes. Psychotherapy Family therapy. Group therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) Hospitalization 4 I think this was a reliable website based upon
the reputation of the Mayo Clinic.
----- www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/default.htm
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric
diagnosis that describes a mental
disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception or
expression of reality. Distortions in perception may affect all five senses,
including sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch, but most commonly manifest
as auditory hallucinations, paranoid
or bizarre delusions,
or disorganized speech and thinking with
significant social or occupational dysfunction (Wikipedia) Symptoms
Positive symptoms - Hearing
voices, suspiciousness, feeling under constant surveillance, delusions, or
making up words without a meaning (neologisms).
Negative (or deficit) symptoms - Social withdrawal, difficulty in
expressing emotions (in extreme cases called blunted affect), difficulty in
taking care of themselves, inability to feel pleasure (These symptoms cause
severe impairment and are often mistaken for laziness.)
Cognitive symptoms - Difficulties attending to and processing of
information, in understanding the environment, and in remembering simple
tasks
Affective (or mood) symptoms - Most notably depression,
accounting for a very high rate of attempted suicide in people suffering from
schizophrenia Treatment Because the cause of schizophrenia is unknown,
treatment focuses on easing the symptoms. Schizophrenia
Medications This overview looks at schizophrenia medications and
their side effects. Learn what you should watch for. Therapy
for Schizophrenia Through therapy, people can develop social and
work skills to improve their lives and relationships. Learn more about the
benefits of therapy. Electroconvulsive
Therapy and Schizophrenia ECT is often misunderstood, but its
highly effective for certain types of schizophrenia. Read more about this
therapy. 3
Of
interest is the list and the following case I observed from
somewhat of a distance: The young girl of 18 had made
arrangements to go the senior prom with an out-of-town boy with a flashy
convertible (I never met him but did once see the car) who was the cousin of
an in-town girl she had become friends with through a neighbor who was the
aunt of the girl also 18. The girlfriend (she wasnt going to the prom)
hatched a plot for the boy cousin to be a no show the night of the prom. The
girl, dressed in gown was ready to go and devastated as the cruel trick
played out. Going to school that Monday must have been difficult and the girl
related to her mother she heard people laughing at her (by inference one
might conclude some real, some imagined). There was no history on either
parents side of schizophrenia or other mental infirmity. The girl continued,
from time to time, the thought that people were laughing at her. She had been
accepted at a private college away from home, attended the first semester but
without success and returned home. She continued hear voices of laughter and
her condition progressively over time worsened, along with auditory
hallucinations, for which medications and psychiatrist interaction were
useless according to the mother. I dont know how this turned out but I am
aware that the girl who hatched the nefarious plot, not long thereafter
suffered the onset of a severe case of diabetes mellitus which, based upon
probabilities, meant the balance of her shortened life would be filled
with pain and misery. 4
I think this was a reliable website based upon positive word of mouth
and my use herein.
-------- Major depressive disorder (also known as
clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar
disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by an
all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem,
and loss
of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. The term
"major depressive disorder" was selected by the American Psychiatric
Association to designate this symptom
cluster as a mood disorder in the 1980 version of
the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III)
classification, and has become widely used since. The general term depression
is often used to describe the disorder, but as it can also be used to
describe other types of psychological
depression, more precise terminology is preferred for the disorder
in clinical and research use. Major depression is a disabling condition which
adversely affects a person's family, work or school life, sleeping and eating
habits, and general health. In the United States, approximately 3.4% of people
with major depression commit suicide, and up to 60% of people who
commit suicide have depression or another mood disorder. Wikipedia Symptoms constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early
morning awakening, or sleeping too much restlessness or feeling slowed down decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt thoughts of suicide or death
This site is
funded This site is funded and developed by
GlaxoSmithKline. As such, I would consider the site less than reliable since
I believe the big pharma to be over-medicating which is good for their bottom
lines, but bad for people. Of interest is a list
of afflictees. -------- Famous People with Bipolar Disorder Much of this list was obtained from the Internet. Actors & Actresses Ned Beatty Artists Alvin Alley, dancer, choreogapher Entrepreneurs Robert Campeau Financiers John Mulheren Miscellaneous Buzz Aldrin, astronaut Musicians Ludwig van Beethoven, composer Poets John Berryman Political Robert Boorstin, special assistant to President Clinton Scholars John Strugnell, biblical scholar Scientists Karl Paul Link, chemist Sports Shelley Beattie, bodybuilding, sailing TV & Radio Dick Cavett Writers Louis Althusser, philosopher, writer Famous people who have had schizophrenia Wednesday, 11. January 2006, 02:13:50 6025 Average of ratings: 10
/ 10 |
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Forum # 9 - Mental Illnesses -> Schizophrenia -> Re:
Schizophrenia by ALBERT
PEIA - Thursday, August 6, 2009, 05:56 AM |
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Your post is very interesting and, though my post will include bipolar
disorder (a surprising list of afflictees), I had occasion to observe
directly, from a distance, a "trauma induced case" of
schizophrenia (another surprising list of afflictees) which
progressively worsened and which I will briefly reference though without
knowledge of outcome, and as well, major depression (another surprising
list of afflictees) so that I will have a
cursory understanding of what are probably the three major
psychological disorders. Interestingly, 27
MILLION AMERICANS ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS...
, ANTIDEPRESSANT
USE DOUBLES IN US, STUDY FINDS 03 Aug 2009
20:00:22 GMT Source: Reuters Use doubles from 13 million to 27 million Americans By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Use of antidepressant drugs in the
United States doubled between 1996 and 2005, probably because of a mix of
factors, researchers reported on Monday. About 6 percent of people were prescribed an antidepressant in 1996 --
13 million people. This rose to more than 10 percent or 27 million people by
2005, the researchers found. ..... Regards! |
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Forum # 7 - Social Psychology -> The Bystander Apathy Effect ->
Re: The Bystander Apathy Effect by ALBERT
PEIA - Thursday, August 6, 2009, 01:39 AM |
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Thank you for your reply and comment. Regards! |
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Forum # 7 - Social Psychology -> The Bystander Apathy Effect ->
Re: Redo: The Bystander Apathy Effect by ALBERT
PEIA - Thursday, August 6, 2009, 01:37 AM |
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Thank you for your reply and I agree with you. Regards! |
Page: (Previous) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (Next)
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Forum # 7 - Social Psychology -> Resubmission on Stereotyping ->
Re: Resubmission on Stereotyping by ALBERT
PEIA - Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 04:51 AM |
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Your post is very interesting, although I must confess
that I'm not a big fan of any newspapers in this country, all of which are on
the ropes for good reason. Indeed, being dependent upon advertising revenues
for solvency, and the corporations (who do the advertising) being ever more
dependent on government contracts (and now literally corporate welfare), for
years newspapers have abrogated their publishing responsibilities in favor of
what has become defacto government controlled mainstream media. You cannot
rely upon mainstream media for the real story, the story behind the story,
etc.. I also believe that in Asian nations, ie., Japan, China,
etc., while there might be raves about american movie stars with american
film being such a big global industry, I think we all might be surprised at
their adulation of their domestic stars as is done here. Regards! |
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Forum # 8 - Cognitive Biases -> Cognitive Biases -> Re:
Cognitive Biases by ALBERT
PEIA - Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 04:48 AM |
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I'm sorry to hear of your painful experience and I must say I am more
astounded by the deterioration of and the lack of civilized behavior in
LA/SoCal and the nation (america has the highest crime rates in the so-called
civilized world). I've never been big on fads and your "jerking" example makes
me think that those who are are...jerks. Regards! |
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Forum # 8 - Cognitive Biases -> Cognitive Biases: Gambler's
Fallacy/Bandwagon Effect -> Re: Cognitive Biases: Gambler's
Fallacy/Bandwagon Effect by ALBERT
PEIA - Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 04:58 AM |
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Thank you for your reply! Sorry about the fonts but for whatever reason, though supposedly
compatible, the document post which I originally draft in microsoft word and
appears as drafted in the forum window when I insert same, does not display
properly, including links. This is true even if I reformat and save in the
forum window. I will try saving as an html file and then inserting. Regards! |
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Forum # 8 - Cognitive Biases -> Cognitive Biases: Gambler's
Fallacy/Bandwagon Effect by ALBERT
PEIA - Friday, July 31, 2009, 06:40 AM |
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Gambler's fallacy the tendency to
think that future probabilities are altered by past events, when in reality
they are unchanged. Results from an erroneous conceptualization of the normal distribution. As a freshman in college, initial fall term, my
roommate had occasion to go the race track (trots) where his beginners luck
was so significant that even seasoned gamblers, veterans of said track were
amazed at his luck. He and they considered him to be on a streak. Indeed,
though on one of only his few initial outings he returned one evening with
$5,600 or so in hundred dollar bills ($25,000+ in todays dollars). It was
difficult to not be impressed and I urged him to immediately buy a corvette
since he didnt have his own car. He would hear none of it, said he was on a
streak (which he expected to continue based upon past results), was gonna
hit big, and proceeded to make true the adage that you can win a race, but
you cant win at the races by losing in one evening the total amount, plus
some. I believe wishful thinking and optimism
bias also helped seal his less than desired fate that evening and
are defined immediately hereafter. Wishful thinking the formation of
beliefs and the making of decisions according to what is pleasing to imagine
instead of by appeal to evidence or rationality. Optimism
bias the systematic tendency to be over-optimistic about the
outcome of planned actions. -------------------- Bandwagon effect the tendency to do
(or believe) things because many other people do (or believe) the same.
Related to groupthink and herd
behaviour. Herd
instinct Common tendency to adopt the opinions and follow the
behaviors of the majority to feel safer and to avoid conflict Groupthink
, herd
behaviour , and herd
instinct seem to be the natural concomitants to the notion of bandwagon
effect as defined above, and exemplified in the following example:
A REALITY CHECK ON U.S. 'ECONOMIC RECOVERY' JEFF NIELSON U.S. equities are rallying again today, and (as usual) it is a rally
with no basis in reality. Most of the enthusiasm comes from another string of
corporate quarterly results which beat expectations. I had hoped that the
sheep were starting to clue-in to this silly game, however it appears there
is a still a large pack of Pavlov's Dogs out there who respond to their
propaganda cues without a moment of actual thought. The truth is that all of
the companies beating expectations are still reporting steadily worse
results year-over-year and in many cases, much worse results. Among the few
exceptions are U.S. financial corporations. However, since accounting-fraud
was legalized in the United States (see FASB
strong-armed into mark-to-fantasy accounting), their bottom-lines
have had absolutely no connection to their business operations.. (entire article below)
Invariably the bandwagon
effect becomes evidenced as more people jump into the market in
unison ( ie., herd behaviour ) despite being,
as set forth so astutely by Mr. Nielson, contra-indicated by all factual and
rational measures. Despite the warning signs, signals, and data, the ostrich
effect comes into play as said obvious (from the facts) negative
situation is ignored. It is noteworthy that Mr. Nielson has a grasp of and
applies principles as apposite to the subject matter in terms of
classical conditioning which one can readily expect find in herd
behavior and the bandwagon effect consistent therewith. Ostrich effect ignoring an obvious
(negative) situation. ----------------------------
A REALITY CHECK ON U.S. 'ECONOMIC RECOVERY' JEFF NIELSON U.S. equities are rallying again today, and (as usual) it is a rally
with no basis in reality. Most of the enthusiasm comes from another string of
corporate quarterly results which beat expectations. I had hoped that the
sheep were starting to clue-in to this silly game, however it appears there
is a still a large pack of Pavlov's Dogs out there who respond to their
propaganda cues without a moment of actual thought. The truth is that all of the companies beating expectations are
still reporting steadily worse results year-over-year and in many cases,
much worse results. Among the few exceptions are U.S. financial corporations.
However, since accounting-fraud was legalized in the United States (see FASB
strong-armed into mark-to-fantasy accounting), their bottom-lines
have had absolutely no connection to their business operations. The obvious point here is that if expectations are set low enough, it
is almost impossible not to exceed these estimates. The question that must
be asked is this: given that all these market experts are claiming that the
U.S. economy is turning the corner, why are all these same experts
continuing to predict terrible bottom-lines for U.S. corporations every
quarter? The other element fueling today's rally is the continuing stream of
propaganda pretending that both employment and the U.S. housing sector are
stabilizing. This aspect of U.S. propaganda is especially egregious. The optimism in U.S. housing is built entirely on the fact that
declines in U.S. home prices have not been as bad as before when they were
falling three times as fast as during the Great Depression. This is a result
of several factors. First and foremost, U.S. banks are holding millions of foreclosed
properties off the market. In this case, the numbers don't lie. There were
1.9 million foreclosures in the first 6 months of 2009, and Realty Trac (an
industry-friendly group) predicts at least 4 million foreclosures this year
meaning that the rate of foreclosures will continue increasing. How is this
stabilization? These foreclosure numbers become even more interesting when we look at
the ratio of foreclosure-sales relative to total sales. With total housing
sales forecast at 4.8 million (after a recent jump in sales) and (at least 4
million foreclosures this year alone), foreclosure sales would have to
account for over 80% of total sales in order for U.S. banks to clear their
inventory as fast as they are taking on new foreclosed properties. In fact, foreclosure sales have never exceeded 50% of total sales, and
in the last two months have only averaged 35% of total sales meaning U.S.
banks are selling much less than half of their foreclosed properties. This
means that contrary to fraudulent reports that housing inventories are
moderating, all that is taking place is that more and more properties are
simply being taken off the market unsold. The other important point about U.S. banks holding millions of
foreclosed properties off the market is that foreclosure sales are the
primary force pushing down U.S. housing prices. It should be expected that
with U.S. banks holding millions of foreclosed properties off the market that
U.S. house prices would be (temporarily) less-bad. As I have pointed out many times, U.S. delinquency rates are at
all-time, record highs meaning that when the dust settles at the end of
this year, U.S. foreclosures will likely be well over 4 million units
(meaning all the other numbers I discussed will get even worse). In addition,
we are only months away from the largest wave of mortgage re-sets (see U.S.
mortgage crisis to get MUCH worse in 2010-11) - which will last
for two years. Meanwhile, broke-and-retiring U.S. baby-boomers will have no choice
but to dump $1 to $2 trillion of real estate onto the market, to make up for
their under-funded retirements (see U.S.
pension crisis: the $3 trillion question), and the HUGE cuts
which must be made in government programs for seniors, to begin to reduce the
$70 TRILLION (or so) in U.S. unfunded liabilities. This means at least a
decade of vast amounts of new inventory being dumped onto the market. This is
stabilization? Then we come to U.S. employment fiction. Weekly lay-offs have
improved (by a measly 10%), meaning there are 'only' about 2.5 million lay-offs
per month, compared to a normal month where there would be less than 1
million. Lay-offs are 2 times greater than normal, and this is called
stabilization? Fraudulent government numbers are claiming that there is only a net
job loss of less than 500,000 jobs per month (which is an historically
terrible number). However, the reality is that with 2.5 million lay-offs per
month, there must be at least 1.5 million (net) jobs lost each month based
on those weekly numbers (see "U.S.
economy to lose 20 MILLION jobs this year"). These are Great
Depression-like numbers. The fact that job losses are stabilizing at Great Depression levels
is not good news for anyone living in the real world. Meanwhile, the collapse
in the U.S. retail sector is just beginning to to impact retail sector
employment (see The
Death of the U.S. Consumer Economy), and U.S. state governments
are just beginning to make the painful budget (and employment) reductions
they must make as a response to the largest plunge in state revenues in
history. In short, the
big picture of the U.S. economy is completely clear, it's in terrible shape
and rapidly getting worse. Meanwhile, the U.S. propaganda-machine continues
to fuel the U.S. fantasy-rally with nothing more than smoke-and-mirrors. Average of ratings: 10
/ 10 |
Forum
# 7 - Social Psychology -> The Bystander Apathy Effect
by ALBERT PEIA - Thursday, July 30, 2009,
05:44 AM
http://www.psychwiki.com/wiki/The_Bystander_Apathy_Effect
The murder of Kitty Genovese
seems to be the oft-cited case in web sites as the aforementioned and those
below in discussions of The Bystander Apathy Effect, and as well, is referenced
in the text.
In
the early morning of March 13, 1964, a 28 year old woman named Kitty Genovese
was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death outside of her apartment building
in the Kew Gardens district of Queens, New York (Manning 2007). This brutal
sexual assault/murder was noteworthy for the fact that thirty-eight of her
neighbors watched the attack from their windows or heard her screams for help but
did nothing to intervene during the thirty-five minutes that Genovese was being
attacked (Manning 2007). In fact, twice the killer, frightened by the lights in
the neighbors windows, left Genovese but after realizing that no one was going
to intervene, came back and resumed attacking her (Manning 2007). One factor
that may weaken the likelihood of bystander intervention is the presence of
others (Darley and Latane 1968). Their hypothesis was that in an emergency,
when an individual knows that others are around but cannot view their behavior,
they tend to assume that someone else must be intervening and that their own
intervention would thus fail to be helpful, and could perhaps even be harmful
(Darley and Latane 1968).
In the early 1980s Darley and Latanes conclusions were expanded into a second
theory of bystander intervention called the arousal cost-reward model
(Pilivian, Dovidio, Gaertner, and Clark 1981).This model suggests that
bystanders intervene most when they perceive the personal costs of helping to
be low and the costs of not helping are perceived as being high (Pilivian, et.
al) .
Rubbish/Hogwash
The foregoing web site is, from direct experience, lacking credibility. Indeed,
while walking through Military Park (a sliver of a park - more a pedestrian
thoroughfare/cement walks) in newark, new jersey on the way to the bank during
lunch hour, I heard the clearly audible screams/cries of what turned out to be
an old lady on the ground with blood streaming from her mouth. I ran toward the
sound of the cries, the source of which I could not see because there were so
many people in and about this thoroughfare so as to block any vision of the
source of the cries. When I came to the woman, on the ground, blood streaming
from her mouth, I asked what happened, to which she responded she had been hit
in the mouth and knocked to the ground, her purse stolen/put inside her
shopping bag, and she pointed out the criminal casually now walking across the
main street. Nobody stopped to help her, many having passed her by. I slammed
the thug to the ground so hard that, in light of all the blood and confusion
(limbic system / adrenalin flow) I thought I had been stabbed (the blood was
from his elbows hitting the pavement so hard - no one helped/a crowd gathered/an
undercover cop happened along). When I testified at the Grand Jury Proceeding I
made sure his threat on my life was set forth in prima facie fashion so
as to maximize the DAs position with both felonies (he went to prison pled
out). (The other case I wrote about here - Having had occasion to have run down
a mugger in newark, n.j. who apparent had followed a girl from the bank on her
way to the bursar to pay tuition, though in pretty good shape, I was astounded
by how totally exhausting such a pursuit was, how much like rubber my arms were
when I traded punches with the perpetrator, and truth be told, if I had a
flashlight on my belt, I have little doubt that I would have probably used it
to subdue the perp. The girl was not that seriously injured, did get her
pocketbook and tuition back, and the criminal went to jail. The other
thing about such a pursuit that amazed me was that no one else assisted the
girl or me despite being in a position to do so).
CONCLUSION
The reality, though difficult for many, including psychologists to accept is
that quite simply, the vast majority of americans are without any courage
whatsoever. They are cowards, plain and simple. All the excuses,
rationalizations, etc., (psycho-babble if you will) in the world will not
change that fact. (I could cite numerous instances involving white collar/RICO
crimes involving such cowardice as well. I understand statistics, the term ad
hoc, sampling, etc.. The conclusion stands!).
www.csun.edu/~drnancyb/Kitty Genovese.pdf
http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/who
Forum
# 9 - Mental Illnesses -> Tourette Syndrome -> Re: Tourette Syndrome
by ALBERT PEIA - Thursday, July 30, 2009,
04:03 AM
Your post is interesting and informative and I'm
glad for your daughter, yourself and your family that the story has a
happy/positive ending as set forth in your final paragraph. Your daughter is
lucky to have a father who has so dilligently researched the topic so as to
optimize her progress through her childhood years and which progress has been
substantial.
Regards!
Forum
#6 - Developmental Psychology -> Developmental Psychology -> Re:
Developmental Psychology
by ALBERT PEIA - Thursday, July 30, 2009,
01:43 AM
It sounds like your son is innately wise in
sticking with what is familiar to him instead of faking it , which I
believe accounts for the plethora of b.s. artists in the country today (faking
it). Additionally, though I never watch so-called reality shows, I would
consider being victim for the day a small price to pay for being spared
the memory of an episode of such shows. With an attentive mom like
yourself, I'm sure your son will progress through his stages without a hitch.
Regards!
Forum
# 5 - Intelligence: Leaning Towards Nature or Nurture? -> Nature v.s Nurture
-> Re: Nature v.s Nurture
by ALBERT PEIA - Monday, July 27, 2009, 01:58
AM
Your post was interesting,
particularly with regard to Mozart's 165 IQ. Though a genius by any
standard, I believe he would choose to shine in music alone.
Regards!
Average
of ratings: 10 / 10
Forum
#6 - Developmental Psychology -> Birth Order Forum 6 -> Re: Birth Order
Forum 6
by ALBERT PEIA - Monday, July 27, 2009,
01:44 AM
Thank you for your kind reply. I find Wikipedia
online
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page ) helpful for framing
the issues and google searches helpful for other sources. The text is also well
designed in light of the summaries and intra-chapter definitions. There were 5
primary sources for the forum (also please forgive the incorrect spelling of
'sophomoric' inasmuch as time to edit expired).
Regards!
Page: (Previous) 1 2 3 4 5 6 (Next)
Forum #6 - Developmental Psychology
-> Birth Order Forum 6 -> Re: Birth Order Forum 6
by ALBERT PEIA - Sunday, July 26, 2009,
06:39 AM
The link to lifespan view didn't take
in the post so is added here:
In their book Sibling Relationships:
Their Nature and Significance across the Lifespan, Michael E. Lamb and Brian Sutton-Smith make the point that sibling
relationships often last an entire lifetime. They point out that the lifespan view proposes that development
is continuous, with individuals continually adjusting to the competing demands
of socialization agents and biological
tendencies. Thus, even those concerned only with interactions among young
siblings implicitly or explicitly acknowledge that all relationships change
over time and that any effects of birth order may be eliminated, reinforced, or
altered by later experiences.
Forum #6 - Developmental Psychology
-> Birth Order Forum 6
by ALBERT PEIA - Sunday, July 26, 2009,
06:01 AM
Birth Order Forum 6
Simply stated,
Birth order is defined as a person's rank by age among his or her siblings. Birth order is often believed
to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development. I dont
think that one can totally ignore historically the socio-economic position
occupied by first-borns (inheritance, positions of power, ie., royalty,
family businesses, etc.). The Adlerian Website linked in the resource materials
was down, but as always, Wikipedia was helpful in delineating the relevant
issues concerning the effects of birth on, for example, personality, etc., as set forth for reference below
with some additional links. As with the case
of Freud, I believe that Adlers own neurotic predispositions have lead
to a specious view summarized as, according to Adler's theory, each of us is
born into the world with a sense of inferiority. We start as a weak and
helpless child and strive to overcome these deficiencies by become superior to
those around us. He called this struggle a striving for superiority, and
like Freud's Eros and Thanatos, he saw this as the driving force behind all
human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In rationalizing his own feelings of
inferiority as the natural state of things in his proposed theory, he further
goes on to rationalize his own position as middle child as being optimal
despite the weight of substantial credible authority sounding in logic
consistent with my own belief that his view is contra-indicated. Adler states,
As a middle child, they have the luxury of trying to dethrone the oldest
child and become more superior while at the same time knowing that they hold
this same power over their younger siblings. Adler believed that middle
children have a high need for superiority and are often able to seek it out
such as through healthy competition. The youngest children, like the first
born, may be more likely to experience personality problems later in
life. This is the child who grows up knowing that he has the least amount
of power in the whole family. He sees his older siblings having more
freedom and more superiority. He also gets pampered and protected more
than any other child did. This could leave him with a sense that he can
not take on the world alone and will always be inferior to others
The foregoing is at once both
preposterous and sophomoric and as such, I would have difficulty positing
anything Adler said as worthy of consideration in light thereof.
Divergent Views
In his book Born to
Rebel, Frank Sulloway
suggests that birth order has strong and consistent effects on the Big Five personality traits and argues
that firstborns are more conscientious, more
socially dominant, less agreeable, and less open to new ideas compared to
laterborns. However, critics such as Fred Townsend, Toni Falbo, and Judith Rich Harris,
argued against Sulloway's theories. Contrary views also include the lifespan view which proposes that
development is continuous, with individuals continually adjusting to the
competing demands of socialization
agents and biological tendencies.
CONCLUSION AND POSITION
As a first-born son
who could as easily as in Adlers contrary view, exhibit self-serving bias in
accepting as consistent with my own personal scenario (my mother did
admit/state being a bit more conscientious, diet, etc., first
pregnancy/child) the position espoused by Frank Sulloway which suggests
that birth order has strong and consistent effects on the Big Five personality traits and that firstborns
are more conscientious,
more socially dominant, more or less agreeable, etc.. However, I believe
a more modern view, ie., the lifespan view which
proposes that development is continuous, with individuals continually
adjusting to the competing demands of socialization agents and biological
tendencies, to be a better, more hopeful and optimistic view.
REFERENCE MATERIALS AND SOME USEFUL LINKS
Birth order
From Wikipedia,
Birth order is defined as a person's
rank by age among his or her siblings. Birth order is
often believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological
development. This assertion has been repeatedly challenged by researchers, yet
birth order continues to have a strong presence in pop psychology and popular culture.
Theories
Alfred Adler (1870-1937), an Austrian psychiatrist, and a contemporary of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, was one of the first theorists to suggest that birth order influences
personality.
He argued that birth order can leave an indelible impression on an individual's
style of life, which is one's habitual way of dealing with the tasks of
friendship, love, and work. According to Adler, firstborns are
"dethroned" when a second child comes along, and this may have a
lasting influence on them. Younger and only children may be pampered and
spoiled, which can also affect their later personalities.[1]
Additional birth order factors that should be considered are the spacing in
years between siblings, the total number of children, and the changing
circumstances of the parents over time.
Since Adler's time, the influence of
birth order on the development of personality
has become a controversial issue in psychology. Among the general public,
it is widely believed that personality is strongly influenced by birth order,
but many psychologists dispute this. One important modern theory of personality
states that the Big Five
personality traits of Openness,
Conscientiousness,
Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism represent most of the
important elements of personality that can be measured. Contemporary approaches
to birth order frequently suggest that birth order influences these five
traits.
In his book Born to Rebel, Frank Sulloway suggests that birth
order has strong and consistent effects on the Big Five personality traits. He argues
that firstborns are more conscientious,
more socially dominant, less agreeable, and less open to new ideas compared to
laterborns.[2] However, critics such as Fred
Townsend, Toni Falbo, and Judith Rich Harris,
argue against Sulloway's theories. An issue of Politics and the Life Sciences,
dated September, 2000 but not published until 2004 [3]
due to legal threats from Sulloway (who claimed its content to be defamatory, although it was carefully
and rigorously researched and sourced), contains criticisms of Sulloway's
theories, including studies that show conflicting findings.
In their book Sibling Relationships:
Their Nature and Significance across the Lifespan, Michael E. Lamb and Brian Sutton-Smith
make the point that sibling relationships often last an entire lifetime. They
point out that the lifespan view proposes
that development is continuous, with individuals continually adjusting to the
competing demands of socialization
agents and biological tendencies. Thus, even those concerned only with
interactions among young siblings implicitly or explicitly acknowledge that all
relationships change over time and that any effects of birth order may be
eliminated, reinforced, or altered by later experiences.[4]
Personality
Claims about birth order effects on
personality have received only mixed support in scientific research. Such
research is a challenge because of the difficulty of controlling all the
variables that are statistically related to birth order. Family size, and a
number of social and demographic variables are associated with birth order and
serve as potential confounds. For
example, large families are generally lower in socioeconomic status than small
families. Hence third born children are not only third in birth order, but they
are also more likely to come from larger, poorer families than firstborn
children. If third-borns have a particular trait, it may be due to birth order,
or it may be due to family size, or to any number of other variables.
Consequently, there are a large number of published studies on birth order that
vary widely in quality and are inconsistent in their conclusions For example,
large families are generally lower in socioeconomic status than small families.
Hence third born children are not only third in birth order, but they are also
more likely to come from larger, poorer families than firstborn children. If
third-borns have a particular trait, it may be due to birth order, or it may be
due to family size, or to any number of other variables. Consequently, there
are a large number of published studies on birth order that vary widely in
quality and are inconsistent in their conclusions
Ernst and Angst reviewed all of the
research published between 1946 and 1980. They also did their own study on a
representative sample of 6,315 young men from Switzerland. They found no
substantial effects of birth order and concluded that birth order research was
a "waste of time."[5] More recent research analyzed data
from a national sample of 9,664 subjects on the Big Five
personality traits of extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness,
conscientiousness, and openness to experience. Contrary to Sulloway's
predictions, they found no significant correlation between birth order and
self-reported personality. There was, however, some tendency for people to
perceive birth order effects when they were aware of the birth order of an
individual.[6]
Other studies have supported Sulloway's
claims about birth order. Paulhus and his colleagues found consistent support
in self-reports by both student and adult samples. First borns scored higher on
conservatism, conscientiousness and achievement orientation. Later borns scored
higher on rebelliousness, openness, and agreeableness
Summary
of the findings of Belmont and Marolla. Scores on Raven's
Progressive Matrices relate to birth order and family size.[9]
Since the 1970s, one of the most
influential theories to explain why firstborns frequently score higher on
intelligence and achievement tests than other children is the confluence model
of Robert Zajonc. This model states that
because firstborns mainly have adult influences around them in their early
years, they will spend their initial years of life interacting in a highly
intellectual family environment
The basic finding that firstborns have higher IQ scores has been disputed. One
group of researchers examined data from the National Longitudinal Survey of
Youth (NLSY) (USA), which gave them the opportunity to look at a large randomly
selected sample of US families. The sample included children whose academic
performance had been reviewed multiple times throughout their academic careers.
This study found no relationship between birth order and intelligence.[11]
Recently, researchers reporting in the
journal Science (June 2007) found that "the eldest children in families
tend to develop slightly higher IQs than their younger siblings.".[12]
This could be a consequence of parents spending more quality time with their first-born
children than with subsequent children [13]
Chapter 5: Psychodynamic and
Neo-Freudian Theories
Section 1: Introduction to Neo-Freudian Theory
Section 2: Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology
Section 3: Carl Jung's Analytic Psychology
Section 4: Erik Erikson's Ego Psychology
Section 5: Karen Horney's Feminine Psychology
Section 6: Harry Stack Sullivan
Alfred Adler joined Freud's analytic
society in 1902 and was even named the first president in 1910. However,
after growing disagreements he left with several other theorists in 1911,
starting his own group originally named the 'Society for Free Psychoanalytic
Research.' It is suspected that this name was meant as an attack on
Freud's stubbornness to accepting disagreements and challenge to his
theories. The name was later changed to 'Individual Psychology,' perhaps
as a means to differentiate Adler as an independent theorist in his search for
overcoming his perceived inferiority.
Inferiority
According to Adler's theory, each of us
is born into the world with a sense of inferiority. We start as a weak
and helpless child and strive to overcome these deficiencies by become superior
to those around us. He called this struggle a striving for superiority,
and like Freud's Eros and Thanatos, he saw this as the driving force behind all
human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
Birth Order. Simply put, Adler
believed that the order in which you are born to a family inherently effects
your personality. First born children who later have younger siblings may
have it the worst. These children are given excessive attention and
pampering by their parents until that fateful day when the little brother or
sister arrives. Suddenly they are no longer the center of attention and
fall into the shadows wondering why everything changed. According to
Adler, they are left feeling inferior, questioning their importance in the
family, and trying desperately to gain back the attention they suddenly
lost. The birth order theory holds that first born children often have
the greatest number of problems as they get older.
Middle born children may have it the
easiest, and interestingly, Adler was a middle born child. These children
are not pampered as their older sibling was, but are still afforded the
attention. As a middle child, they have the luxury of trying to dethrone
the oldest child and become more superior while at the same time knowing that
they hold this same power over their younger siblings. Adler believed
that middle children have a high need for superiority and are often able to
seek it out such as through healthy competition.
The youngest children, like the first
born, may be more likely to experience personality problems later in
life. This is the child who grows up knowing that he has the least amount
of power in the whole family. He sees his older siblings having more
freedom and more superiority. He also gets pampered and protected more
than any other child did. This could leave him with a sense that he can
not take on the world alone and will always be inferior to others.
For Adler, individuals respond in
ways that reflect neither genetic endowment nor social environment. Rather, persons
are responsible and respond to their social field in adaptive, creative ways.
Adler ( 1959 ) also contended that each individual strives toward an ideal that
becomes apparent early in life and runs as a major theme throughout one's
lifetime.
Maximum rating: 8 / 10
Forum # 5 - Intelligence: Leaning
Towards Nature or Nurture? -> INTELLIGENCE AND THE NATURE VS. NURTURE DEBATE
-> Re: INTELLIGENCE AND THE NATURE VS. NURTURE DEBATE
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 25, 2009,
03:15 AM
Thank you for your reply!
Whether it was owing to my own cursory
reading of the assigned material or not, I did not register the issue clearly
in my own mind in terms of the assigned forum until having read the Wikipedia
article which I set forth in pertinent part at the risk of incurring Mrs.
Sanks ire for the copy/paste.
Regards!
Average of ratings: 10 / 10
Forum # 5 - Intelligence: Leaning
Towards Nature or Nurture? -> INTELLIGENCE AND THE NATURE VS. NURTURE DEBATE
by ALBERT PEIA - Friday, July 24, 2009,
11:20 PM
INTELLIGENCE AND THE
NATURE VS. NURTURE DEBATE
The response of Psychologist Donald Hebb
to a journalist's question of "which, nature or nurture, contributes more
to personality?" by asking in response, "which contributes more to
the area of a rectangle, its length or its width?" , seems to be my
position at the current time, albeit a tentative and equivocal one at that.
While the intelligence aspect of the quandary is the subject of inquiry for
this forum, my equivocal response does not change assuming intelligence ranges
within +1 and -1 SDs (typical bell curve). I think the extremes could
probably be explained more often than not by attaching a greater significance
of one or the other, viz., nature or nurture, based on the facts concerning
each and a somewhat artful inference derived therefrom. I dont believe this
inquiry lends itself to quantitative allocation of importance along a
spectrum per se in those mid-range cases where one would expect that children
of more intelligent (genetically/iq) parents might well find themselves in a
better environment (nurture) simply because the parents were intelligent enough
to provide for optimal conditions to maximize the childs potential. If one could
imagine severely neurotic though intelligent parents, one could reasonably
imagine a scenario contrary to the foregoing. Needless to say, all the nurture
in the world will not make an imbecile bright, nor a lack thereof make a genius
dumb; hence, nature the overriding factor in such extreme instances, at least
as regards intelligence.
I found the
following from Wikipedia set forth in pertinent part as helpful and instructive
in delineating the issue and take the position of many modern psychologists who
consider the question naive representing an outdated state of knowledge:
NATURE VERSUS NURTURE
From Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_versus_nurture
The nature versus nurture debates
concern the relative importance of an individuals innate qualities (nature,
i.e. nativism,
or innatism) versus personal experiences
(nurture, i.e. empiricism or behaviorism) in determining or causing individual differences in physical and behavioral traits.
The view that humans acquire all or
almost all their behavioral traits from nurture is known as tabula rasa (blank slate). This
question was once considered to be an appropriate division of developmental
influences, but since both types of factors are known to play such interacting
roles in development, many modern psychologists consider the question naive
representing an outdated state of knowledge.[1][2][3][4][5]
Psychologist Donald Hebb is
said to have once answered a journalists question of which, nature or
nurture, contributes more to personality? by asking in response, which
contributes more to the area of a rectangle, its length or its width?[6][7][8][9]
For a discussion of nature versus
nurture in language and other human universals,
see also psychological
nativism.
.. In order to disentangle the
effects of genes and environment, behavioral geneticists
perform adoption and twin studies. Behavioral geneticists
do not generally use the term nurture in order to explain that
portion of the variance for a given trait (such as IQ
or the Big Five
personality traits) that can be attributed to environmental effects.
Instead, two different types of environmental effects are distinguished: shared
family factors (i.e., those shared by siblings, making them more similar)
and nonshared factors (i.e., those that uniquely affect individuals,
making siblings different). In order to express the portion of the variance
that is due to the nature component, behavioral geneticists generally refer
to the heritability of a trait.
With regard to the Big Five personality
traits [ Openness,
Conscientiousness,
Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism ] as well as adult IQ in
the general U.S. population, the portion of the overall variance that can be
attributed to shared family effects is often negligible.[10]
On the other hand, most traits are thought to be at least partially heritable.
In this context, the nature component of the variance is generally thought to
be more important than that ascribed to the influence of family
upbringing.Although nurture has historically been referred to as the care
given to children by the parents, with the mother playing a role of particular
importance, this term is now regarded by some as any environmental (not
genetic) factor in the contemporary nature versus nurture debate. Thus the
definition of nurture has been expanded in order to include the influences on
development arising from prenatal, parental, extended family and peer
experiences, extending to influences such as media, marketing, and
socio-economic status.
Discussion
Evidence
suggests that family environmental factors may have an effect upon childhood IQ,
accounting for up to a quarter of the variance. On the other hand, by late
adolescence this correlation disappears, such that adoptive siblings are no
more similar in IQ than strangers.
Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., McClearn, G. E. and McGuffin, P. (2001). Behavioral
Genetics (4th Ed.). New York: Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-5159-3. Moreover,
adoption studies indicate that, by adulthood, adoptive siblings are no more
similar in IQ than strangers (IQ correlation near zero), while full siblings
show an IQ correlation of 0.6. Twin studies reinforce this pattern: monozygotic
(identical) twins raised separately are highly similar in IQ (0.86), more so
than dizygotic (fraternal) twins raised together (0.6) and much more than
adoptive siblings (~0.0). Bouchard TJ Jr. Genetic and environmental influences
on adult intelligence and special mental abilities. Hum Biol. 1998
Apr;70(2):257-79
The article,
Evidence for Nature, provided in our reading materials says in pertinent
part:
The motivation of studies involving
fraternal twins is; if genetics didn't play a part, then fraternal twins, reared
under the same conditions, would be alike by means of their intelligence and
other traits, regardless of differences in their genes. But, while studies
making use of IQ tests show they do more closely resemble each other than do
non-twin brothers and sisters, they also show these same striking similarities
when reared apart. This shows that genetics play a major role in human
intelligence. A similar idea/logic can be seen in studies involving identical
twins: In the case of identical twins, both twins have exactly the same
hereditary load, so that differences between them can only be attributed to
environmental factors. In general, in the case of intelligence tests, it can be
stated that, as indicated by several researches, genetic inheritance is responsible
of about 50% of a childs variation with respect to the average, but this value
increases with age. Identical twins show a higher degree of correlation in
their scores, even when they are reared apart. It can then be stated,
therefore, that heredity has a great influence in the intelligence of a person
The article,
Evidence for Nurture, provided in our reading materials supports
environment/nurture :
In the 1980s, a New
Zealand-based political scientist, James Flynn, noticed that IQ was increasing
in all countries all the time, at an average rate of about 3 IQ points per
decade i.e. the average IQ across the world has risen over 1 standard deviation
(i.e. 15 points) since WWII - predominantly due to environmental effects,
http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/L4-1IntelligenceNatureVsNurture.html
but later dismisses nutrition as the sole or even predominant factor for same
citing a much richer visual environment among other considerations.
In pertinent part, the article
goes on This means that although some of those factors negatively affect
intelligence, this is still a sign that environment can affect the level of intelligence
and mental abilities. It has been found that intelligence can vary with:
Infant malnutrition (negative)
Number of years in school
Social group of parental home
Father's profession
Father's economic status
Degree of parental rigidity (negative)
Parental ambition
Mother's education
Average TV viewing (negative)
Average book-reading
Self-confidence according to attitude
scale measurement
Age (negative relationship, applies
only in adulthood)
Degree of authority in parental home
(negative)
Criminality (negative)
Alcoholism (negative)
Mental disease (negative)
Emotional adaptation
and
concludes:
"No single environmental factor
seems to have a large influence on IQ. Variables widely believed to be
important are usually weak....Even though many studies fail to find strong
environmental effects....most of the factors studied do influence IQ in the
direction predicted by the investigator....environmental effects are
multifactorial and largely unrelated to each other." (Bouchard & Segal
(1985), p.452) So, it would appear that there are many environmental factors
and attitudes each contributing a small fraction to the variance in IQ scores.
Websites for Nature:
http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/psychology/nature_nurture.html
http://www.answers.com/topic/nature-nurture-controversy
http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/9106.html
Websites for Nurture:
http://everything2.com/title/nature%2520vs.%2520nurture
http://www.bucconeer.worldcon.org/contest/2002e_f3.htm
http://folk.uio.no/roffe/faq/node11.html
RECAP OF MY SUMMARY CONCLUSION
I take the
position of many modern psychologists who consider the question of
Nature versus Nurture naive representing an outdated state of knowledge. As
pointed out in the text there are various types of intelligence (ie.,
Thurstone-cluster of abilities, Gardner-multiple intelligences, Sternberg-three
forms of intelligence) and I believe that optimization of those particular to
the individual should be striven for. One could, for example, imagine that
idiot savant playing the banjo with the ease of a virtuoso
(Deliverance, the movie/book), or, alternatively, a once genius with a brain
eroded from methamphetamine addiction.
Average of ratings: 10 / 10
Forum # 8 - Cognitive Biases ->
Cognitive Bias -> Re: Cognitive Bias
by ALBERT PEIA - Monday, July 20, 2009,
03:22 AM
I am a Christian, though not a Jehovah
Witness. Religion, of course, involves matters of faith which often cannot be
supported by empirical evidence. As far as 'end times orientation', I don't
think one has to be a Jehovah Witness to share the belief that the planet's
longevity is measurable not in terms of millennia or even centuries, but rather
in
decade(s).
Fox news is, as all mainstream media,
controlled and biased. Murdoch's bets, viz., ie., Hillary Clinton and John
McCain, etc., have not faired well at all. The Fox republican bias is rather
pathetic, as are the controlled biases, more or less, of the other
networks (anyone who relies on the networks for real news beyond the
propaganda is foolish).
I am not familiar with the Lake
Wobegone effect (youre way ahead in the reading) but have met scores of people
over the years who seem to be suffering from it. While I wouldn't be inclined
to hurt someone's feelings unless they in some way sought to hurt me, I must
remember the decimal point part of the '1-10' rating...very funny!...but potentially
and unnecessarily cruel.
As far as your stock trading, take
heart, inasmuch as there have been historically and are very, very, very few
successful stock traders over time. This is so true that the temptation to fix
the game/scam/scheme has been more than the frauds on wall street can resist.
The following are some recent links and
commentary early in the financial meltdown if youre interested:
Goldman Sachs Admits Its Software Can Manipulate
Markets in Unfair Ways and fraudulently generate commissions /trade volume (
Max Keiser: Goldman Sachs Are Scum, Financial
Terrorists Bank profits not
as impressive as they seem when you take into account TARP funding, changed
accounting rules to fudge books, new stock issues, etc um
Regulators shut
banks in Calif., Ga. and SD
) [ Insiders Exit Shares at the Fastest Pace in Two
Years ] [ Goldman Sachs on pace for record bonuses: report
(Reuters) Cody Willard:
Goldman Sachs Is A Ponzi Scheme, Should Be Punished Accordingly
[$$] Big Pay Packages Return to Wall Street as new
fraud gains steam (at The Wall Street Journal Online) Max Keiser: Goldman Sachs
gang are scum who have co-opted U.S. govt Max Keiser: Goldman Sachs Are Scum, Financial
Terrorists Max Keiser goes on the offensive during an
appearance on France 24 as he slams Goldman Sachs as scum and financial
terrorists who should be thrown in jail. Printing money will lead to serious problems down
the road, says Jim Rogers ] ( ie., BUFFET:
ECONOMY IN 'SHAMBLES'; NO SIGNS OF RECOVERY... Fed: unemployment will top 10 percent this year...
Foreclosures (those increased home sales that has
been fueling suckers rally) rise 15 percent in first half of 2009
(7-17) Three more banks fail, bringing 2009 tally to more than double all of
2008 at a total thus far of 57 Lower Markets on the Horizon Cody Willard: Goldman Sachs Is A Ponzi Scheme,
Should Be Punished Accordingly The Ultimate Insider Trading Scheme
Max Keiser: Goldman Sachs
gang are scum who have co-opted U.S. govt
Budget deficit
tops $1 trillion for first time (AP)
CIT Watch:
Analysts Says Debt Load Isn't the Only Problem Geithner Refuses to Rule Out Continuing Using
American Taxpayer as Piggy Bank for Derivatives Losses WHITE HOUSE ECON ADVISER CLAIMS SUCCESS: FEWER
PEOPLE SEARCHING 'ECONOMIC DEPRESSION' ON GOOGLE BECAUSE EXPERIENCING IT
FIRST-HAND THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT ECONOMIC DEPRESSION IS...
What Economy? Theres Nothing Left to Recover There
is no economy left to recover. The US manufacturing economy was lost to
offshoring and free trade ideology. It was replaced by a mythical New Economy
; less bad, not as bad as expectedriiiiight!, tarp money for the commission
frauds on wall street in new manufactured bubble as actual/real manufacturing
down again; consumer confidence down, commercial loans begin default phase of
downturn, 6.9 million continuing unemployment claims for new record; retail
sales down sharply Economist:
FDIC gearing up for bank closures Goldman Sachs Admits Its Software Can Manipulate
Markets in Unfair Ways and fraudulently generate commissions /trade volume Max Keiser: Goldman Sachs
gang are scum who have co-opted U.S. govt You Tube | Goldman
Sachs are scum thats the bottom line. They have co-opted the government, the
Treasury Department and the Federal Reserves functionality. Theyve co-opted
the Obama administration & Barack Obama dances to Goldman Sachs tune.
[The upshot is that the fraud continues in churn-and-earn fashion with
investors, taxpayer, etc., getting burned for the sake of wall street
greed/fraud. The lunatic wall street frauds desperation linked to
their substantial crimes and booty which must be disgorged through prosecution,
especially since none of the real problems (hundreds of trillions of
fraudulent/worthless securities, etc. - Analyst Andre Egleshion puts the amount
at $600+trillion) have been addressed much less solved; hence, virtually all
problems remain and there is but an infinitesimally small fraction of the
capital and resources necessary to solve them thanks to fraud, incompetence,
lack of knowledge/ability, greed, etc.]
UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT WALL STREET
FRAUD (summarized)
*(12-30-07) The best and easiest to understand analogy,
though not perfect, to the wall street markets is the kiting of checks at
lightning computerized trading speed on which commissions are taken although
there is nothing of real value underlying their fraudulent scheme. (10-10-08)
Now to bring this analogy closer to the current crisis, assume as is the case
of the worthless sub-prime securities, there is no charge off/debit as is
ordinarily the case with a cleared check and the worthless 'collateralized
sub-prime security' is repackaged, resold, recommissioned based upon as
collateral the original worthless security which is in turn repackaged, resold,
recommissioned based upon as collateral the subsequent worthless security, and
so on to the tune of (hundreds of) trillions of this worthless, fraudulent
paper (blatent securities fraud which must be prosecuted and fraudulently
derived profits disgorged).
*(12-31-07) The ubiquitous computerization of wall street
functions, the enhancement/advance/integration of the said computer
equipment/peripherals in terms of computing power and speed, along with the
concomitant advance/sophistication of the programming concerning same has
enhanced the ability of the frauds on wall street to effect their frauds with
blinding speed vis--vis the funds entrusted to their care by way of programmed
trades, ie., buy, sell, stop limits, etc.. An example (though not perfect) is
illustrative: Dow drops 200 points as programmed sell orders kick in with
some not so fudged negative news. Nothing changes but the following day the
market rises 205 points on programmed buy orders (a little higher despite the
absence of any positive news). Hence, the huge swings which have become ever so
more prevalent. Though nothing has changed, hundreds of millions of dollars
without relation to any value added (in economic terms, service, etc.) is taken
in commissions (percentages, points, spreads) by the frauds on wall street on
huge computerized trading volume (hence, the multi-billion dollar bonuses on
top of huge salaries, etc.). The fact is that these funds entrusted to them are
so large that such computerized buys can simulate other than rational demand
causing prices to rise solely to generate huge commissions to them and new
funds coming in (as in a ponzi scheme). The corrupt government has been
complicit in terms of false economic reports, legislation protecting the fraud
(ie., exemption from RICO accountability, etc.), while the courts are also
corrupt facilitators (ie., new york, new jersey, california, etc., and
similarly dont count on arbitration panels). There was a time when
transaction costs mattered in financial investment decisions. The
trades/commissions are not a net positive for the economy but are indeed of
great benefit to the recipients of same (who like termites eat away at other
peoples money, and whose marginal propensity to consume is less than those
allocating their monies/pensions/401ks/savings etc.; hence, the mess to
follow). Finally, the NASDAQ/tech has become the safe haven but in reality as
in the dot.com bust days are just the great story without much fundamental
understanding that keeps the fraudulent ball rolling.
(1-01-08) Remember:
more contrived wasteful commissions to the wall street frauds, the level and
percentage of which should be examined in light of computerization and
decreased costs attendant to same especially since only A Very Small Fraction
Of What wall street Does Is A Net Positive For The Economy (New Investment
Capital via, ie., ipoS), The Rest Is Tantamount To A (Economically)
"Wasteful Tax" (On The Economy) via 'churn and earn' computerized
programmed trades.
*(1-3-08) $14 billion ($21 billion in 2006) in bonuses to the lunatic/frauds on
wall street for a commissionable (sub prime bundled) fraud well done, inflation
up, dollar down, oil prices up, manufacturing down; one
analyst/reporter/journalist from inside sources pegs the sub-prime dollar value
of the shilled worthless paper at $516 TRILLION (even a percentage of same
renders the problem unfixable-hence, culpable parties must be held accountable
and disgorge their ill-gotten gains from, ie., commissioning worthless paper,
taking a point here or there and fraudulently passing same on, ad infinitum,
etc.). Of course there are also a plethora of garden-variety frauds as always,
ie., 10-B-5, insider trading, etc..
*(10-10-08) Now to bring the initial
check-kiting analogy closer to the current crisis, realize as is the case of the
worthless sub-prime securities, there is no charge-off/debit as is ordinarily
the case with a cleared check and the worthless 'collateralized sub-prime
security' is repackaged, resold, recommissioned based upon (collateralized by)
as collateral the original worthless security which is in turn repackaged,
resold, recommissioned based upon as collateral the subsequent worthless
security, and so on (a geometric progression) to the tune of (hundreds
of) trillions of this worthless, fraudulent paper (blatent/flagrant
securities fraud which must be prosecuted and fraudulently derived profits
disgorged).
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Forum
#6 - Developmental Psychology -> Developmental Pschology -> Re:
Developmental Pschology
by ALBERT PEIA - Sunday, July 19, 2009,
11:16 PM
Right you are to be quite proud of your daughter.
My only additional comment is that whatever your daughter has, the world would
be better off if more people had it!
Forum
# 5 - Intelligence: Leaning Towards Nature or Nurture? -> Intellegence -
Nature vs. Nurture -> Re: Intellegence - Nature vs. Nurture
by ALBERT PEIA - Sunday, July 19, 2009,
02:10 AM
I just got through that aspect of the text reading
encompassing Watson and now believe as you correctly pointed out that he said
it; and, I further believe that he meant it, however preposterous. He also was
the author of the 'little Albert' experiment which constituted an outrageous
abuse of an infant child. As such, I amend my reply to your post to
conclude that at best, Watson was an unconflicted sociopath, and at worst, an
unconflicted psychopath.
Regards!
Average
of ratings: 10 / 10
Forum
# 5 - Intelligence: Leaning Towards Nature or Nurture? -> Intellegence -
Nature vs. Nurture -> Re: Intellegence - Nature vs. Nurture
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 18, 2009,
03:34 AM
I realize that both Freud (psychoanalysis) and
Watson (behaviorism) had made ground-breaking strides in the seminal science of
psychology which is of course laudable. However, if the following is his actual
quote as you report, I think Watson was a far bigger mental case than even
Freud...and that's pretty big.
"Give me a dozen healthy infants & my own
specific world to bring them up in, & I'll guarantee to take any one at
random & train him to become any type of specialist I might select -
doctor, lawyer, artist,merchant, chef & yes, even beggar & thief,
regardless of his talents,penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race
of his ancestors."
- John B. Watson, 1924
psychologist pioneer of behaviorism
I think this John Watson's statement
has truth to it.
I think the foregoing (Watson)
statement to be an idle boast at best, and at worst, the ravings
of near lunatic in need of a few "sessions on the couch" (but
not with Freud) himself. I think there is neither truth nor validity to
Watson's purported statement.
Your post is well documented, researched, and as
such, your position (re: Watson's statement) can't be summarily dismissed
as I'd be inclined to do (after all, who am I to say just 3 weeks into this
course).
Regards!
Average
of ratings: 10 / 10
Forum
#4 - News Article -> Effects of Experience/Education on Perceptual
Interpretations -> Re: Effects of Experience/Education on Perceptual
Interpretations
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 18, 2009,
01:48 AM
Addenda to Post:
It is noteworthy in the moonlanding footage that
the american flag is seen "waving in the breeze of the moon atmosphere (sic - there is no
atmosphere on the moon and no waving flags on the moon in reality but that
waving flag does conjure up those patriotically chauvinistic
feelings )", and the absence of stars, etc.. People who summarily
dismiss the evidence that to date, no man has walked on the moon is the
reaction I would expect from someone signing up for Iraq duty to ferret out
weapons of mass destruction (the government lies about so many things, some, as
the subject herein, all of the time). This was a relatively small fraud ($160
billion or so in todays ever more worthless dollars), compared to the massive
frauds currently underway (theres $4 trillion missing at the NY Fed Bank, no
prosecutions/disgorgement/forfeiture in the massive multi-trillion dollar wall
street securities fraud bailed out by the taxpayer who is now indirectly
funding huge programmed churn-and-earn bonuses for the perpetrators, etc. The
frauds on wall street are heavy political campaign donors, and pay to play,
goldman sachs 95% of what wall street does, trading/commissioning, is not a
positive in the economic sense; but, most people in america dont understand
economics which is why the nation is defacto bankrupt and printing ever
more worthless dollars like mad.). I can think of no better example that
illustrates what Hockenbury & Hockenbury refer to as the notion of
perceptual set which are the expectancies and predispositions from years of
spoon fed/controlled propaganda the observer brings to a perceptual situation.
I believe for all of the reasons succinctly set forth in the very credible
appended articles, links, and the 5 minute award winning video said position is
true beyond any doubt at all (100%). Think about it. A militaristic-war profiteering
nation as this would have had a military base up there in a new york minute if
they had ever gotten there (they dont have the technology to go there now much
less then 40 years ago). To paraphrase would be inadequate to the informative
task of conveying the ever increasingly grim reality for america in light of
the pervasive lies, crime, and corruption.
Forum
#2 - News Article -> Neurogenesis -> Re: Neurogenesis
by ALBERT PEIA - Friday, July 17, 2009,
03:59 AM
Thank you for your reply and my apologies for not
making clear that neurogenesis is the development of new neurons. Given
the sedentary lifestyles that many of us lead (ie., me, etc.), as they say in
the NIKE commercials, you just got to ' Do It! '.
Regards!
[LATTC has as good a workout gym in the Library
basement as I've seen anywhere. Speak to Coach Brown.]
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Posts
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Forum
#4 - News Article -> RLS (restless leg syndrome) -> Re: RLS (restless leg
syndrome)
by ALBERT PEIA - Wednesday, July 15, 2009,
05:29 AM
I'm very sorry to here that you're
suffering from the condition that you've so informatively set forth in your
post and hope that you get better.
Regards!
Forum
#4 - News Article -> Red Headed Pain -> Re: Red Headed Pain
by ALBERT PEIA - Wednesday, July 15, 2009,
05:20 AM
Very interesting post. I can't say I've
gone out with a lot of red-headed women but I'm sure somewhere in your
referenced material there lies a reason why they (red headed girls) are
considered so "dangerous".
Regards!
Forum
#4 - News Article -> Effects of Experience/Education on Perceptual
Interpretations
by ALBERT PEIA - Wednesday, July 15, 2009,
05:09 AM
A_Funny_Thing_Happened_On_The_Way_To_The_Moon.htm
The
most important thing I learned from the article is the effects of propaganda
and at times, chauvinistic denial, leads to beliefs in mind-numbing fictions.
Indeed, the article A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Moon by
Bart Sibrel is annexed hereto with some additional links/authorities (including
his dvd) in support of his conclusion in which I concur; viz., that to
date, no man has walked on the moon. This example further illustrates what the
text author refers to as the notion of perceptual set which are the
expectancies and predispositions the observer brings to a perceptual situation.
The
following 5 minute award-winning video by John Lee succinctly supports the fact
that to date, no man has ever walked on the moon (a brief summary/review also
follows):
http://www.archive.org/details/UFOetryWeNeverWentToTheMoonPNTV
Reviewer: piratenews - - July 6, 2006
Subject: APOLLO 11 VIDEO OUTTAKE
Check this out:
Official NASA video marked "LIVE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE MOON".
"That's one small step for Man, one giant leap for (crash)... Well, I
guess you want to do it again?!" Then a team of Stanley Kubrick's film
crew in London picks up the fallen studio lighting and helps Neil Armstrong
climb back up the ladder of the LEM.
VIDEO DOWNLOAD:
http://radio.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/10398.php
Music Video by
UFOetry, directed by Pirate News TV
Winner Best Music Video at Los Angeles Music Awards 2005 and Best Filmed Music
L.A. Indies 2006
This movie is part of the
collection: Open
Source Movies
Director: John Lee
Production Company:
Pirate News Productions
Audio/Visual:
sound, color
Keywords: NASA, Nazi, Von Braun, JFK, Nixon, LBJ, Neil
Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Bart Sibrel, Los Angeles Music Awards, Pirate News,
Apollo, Moon, space, scifi, science fiction, physics, radiation, nuke, nuclear
Contact Information:
http://UFOetry.com http://PirateNews.org
The article,
video, and other links/authorities are all credible on the point.
------------------------------
Maximum
rating: 2 / 10
Forum
# 3 - Video Response -> GATTACA/CRASH/SUPER-SIZE ME -> Re:
GATTACA/CRASH/SUPER-SIZE ME
by ALBERT PEIA - Monday, July 13, 2009,
01:57 AM
Hello Darin:
Thank you for your reply and your astute
observation which I made clear at the outset that I hadn't seen the movie. My point
was only that at a time when more police officers seem to be in the line of
fire more now than ever, split-second judgments often (implicitly) must take
into account probabilities for the sake of survival and effectiveness. Having
had occasion to have run down a mugger in newark, n.j. who apparent had
followed a girl from the bank on her way to the bursar to pay tuition, though
in pretty good shape, I was astounded by how totally exhausting such a pursuit
was, how much like rubber my arms were when I traded punches with the
perpetrator, and truth be told, if I had a flashlight on my belt, I have little
doubt that I would have probably used it to subdue the perp. The girl was not
that seriously injured, did get her pocketbook and tuition back, and the criminal
went to jail. The other thing about such a pursuit that amazed me was that no
one else assisted the girl or me despite being in a position to do so. I also
noted that the perpetrators of the massive securities fraud subject to equally
massive taxpayer bailout have skated with not even one prosecuted, are
predominantly white. Serious questions must be asked of the administration and
attorney general as to why.
Regards!
Forum
# 3 - Video Response -> Super-Size Me!! -> Re: Super-Size Me!!
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 11, 2009,
06:27 AM
McDonalds is a
well managed company; among the very, very few left in america. I
recently quipped to someone eating a big mac at a time of e coli concern over
ground beef which he expressed, that he was probably safer than had he bought
same elsewhere or at a grocer (so well managed is McDonalds). I have fond
memories of one of the seminal McDonalds which opened within a mile of my home,
when numbers (burgers) sold measured in the millions, and for 35 cents (15 cent
hamburger, 10 cent french fries, 10 cent coke) as a kid you might each lunch.
For better or
worse, McDonalds is americas global contribution to cousine. Just as it is
that guns dont kill people, people kill people, hamburgers from McDonalds
dont make you fat, but rather ingesting more calories than you expend makes you
fat.
While I never
could totally forgive the unexpectedly horrific hell night and hell week, I did
continue to live at the well endowed (John Ben Snow) fraternity house (mostly
jocks-animal house) and will not say a word against Morgan Spurlock other than
to wish him well in his film and entertainment endeavors.
Phi Gam,
You are invited to
Eric Gioia's Beach Party on Thursday, July 9th
hosted by Morgan Spurlock!
Come hang out with
these two fellow FIJIs at this event for Eric's
campaign for New York City Public Advocate. A
strong showing at this event will help support his campaign. So Morgan and Eric
urge everyone to come on out!
Beach Party
Long Island City 's Water Taxi Beach
Thursday,
July 9th
5-8pm
Water Taxi Beach is very easy to get to from NYC by subway, bus, taxi,
and of course by New York Water Taxi. For more
info and directions, visit Eric's website:
http://www.ericgioia.com/events?id=0007
Cheers!
Nu Epsilon Alumni
Association
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Posts
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Forum
# 3 - Video Response -> Gattaca -> Re: Gattaca
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 11, 2009,
06:23 AM
For me, the essence of the film was the portrayal of a society in which the
so-called power-elite determined ultimate positions/places for others in
society (Uma Thurman, of course was an eye pleasing distraction, as always
enhancing the aesthetic value of the film). Objective standards with a rational
basis would be preferable.
I
personally believe as thematically developed in the film that through strength
of will, purpose, character and determination, one, as the Hawke character in
the film can perform at the highest levels striven for and exceed those with
less pluck (ie., Hawke outswimming/saving his brother, etc.).
Forum
# 3 - Video Response -> GATTACA/CRASH/SUPER-SIZE ME
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 11, 2009,
06:20 AM
GATTACA:
For me, the essence of the film was the portrayal of a society in which the
so-called power-elite determined ultimate positions/places for others in
society (Uma Thurman, of course was an eye pleasing distraction, as always
enhancing the aesthetic value of the film). Objective standards with a rational
basis would be preferable.
I
personally believe as thematically developed in the film that through strength
of will, purpose, character and determination, one, as the Hawke character in
the film can perform at the highest levels striven for and exceed those with
less pluck (ie., Hawke outswimming/saving his brother, etc.).
CRASH (I didnt
see the movie):
In defense of
police who must make split-second judgments with life/death consequences,
probabilities no doubt implicitly along with training become part of the
process; the following is apposite (I dont have stats on white collar crime
which should be vigorously prosecuted; ie., there has not been even one
prosecution relating to the massive securities fraud for which taxpayers are
paying twice by way of bailout funding of same no, the nefarious madoff
was relatively small potatoes and yes, said criminals are predominantly white):
MENU TITLE: Gang Crime Recordkeeping Series:
NIJ Research in Brief Published: June 1994 (NCJ 148345) 20 pages Gang Crime and
Law Enforcement Recordkeeping by G. David Curry, Richard A. Ball, and Robert J.
Fox ------------------- EXCERPT 'Of the police departments reporting gang crime
problems, almost all said they recorded the race or ethnicity of gang members.
As with other types of data noted above, there was a difference between
recording information and being able to report that information in summary
form. Of the 72 large city police departments reporting gang crime problems,
only 25 (35 percent) provided statistics on the ethnicity of identified gang
members; of the 38 smaller cities, only 12 (32 percent) provided statistics on
ethnicity. The ethnic composition of gang members in these cities remains
predominantly black (48 percent) and Hispanic (43 percent). The black groups
were made up primarily of African-Americans but also included Jamaicans and
blacks of other countries.'
The Color of Crime: a report on 1994 crime statistics, the most recent
available. Major Findings:
There
is more black-on-white than black-on-black violent crime.
Of
the approximately 1,700,000 interracial crimes of violence involving blacks and
whites, 90 percent are committed by blacks against whites. Blacks are therefore
up to 250 times more likely to do criminal violence to whites than the reverse.
Blacks
commit violent crimes at four to eight times the white rate. Hispanics commit violent
crimes at approximately three times the white rate, and Asians at one half to
three quarters the white rate.
Blacks
are twice as likely as whites to commit hate crimes.
Hispanics
are a hate crime victim category but not a perpetrator category. Hispanic
offenders are classified as whites, which inflates the white offense rate and
gives the impression that Hispanics commit no hate crimes.
Blacks
are as much more dangerous than whites as men are more dangerous than women.
Copyright 1999 by New Century Foundation
SUPERSIZE-SIZE ME:
McDonalds is a
well managed company; among the very, very few left in america. I
recently quipped to someone eating a big mac at a time of e coli concern over
ground beef which he expressed, that he was probably safer than had he bought
same elsewhere or at a grocer (so well managed is McDonalds). I have fond
memories of one of the seminal McDonalds which opened within a mile of my home,
when numbers (burgers) sold measured in the millions, and for 35 cents (15 cent
hamburger, 10 cent french fries, 10 cent coke) as a kid you might each lunch.
For better or
worse, McDonalds is americas global contribution to cousine. Just as it is
that guns dont kill people, people kill people, hamburgers from McDonalds
dont make you fat, but rather ingesting more calories than you expend makes
you fat.
While I never
could totally forgive the unexpectedly horrific hell night and hell week, I did
continue to live at the well endowed (John Ben Snow) fraternity house (mostly
jocks/animal house) and will not say a word against Morgan Spurlock other than
to wish him well in his film and entertainment endeavors.
Phi Gam,
You are invited to
Eric Gioia's Beach Party on Thursday, July 9th
hosted by Morgan Spurlock!
Come hang out with
these two fellow FIJIs at this event for Eric's
campaign for New York City Public Advocate. A
strong showing at this event will help support his campaign. So Morgan and Eric
urge everyone to come on out!
Beach Party
Long Island City 's Water Taxi Beach
Thursday,
July 9th
5-8pm
Water Taxi Beach is very easy to get to from NYC by subway, bus, taxi,
and of course by New York Water Taxi. For more
info and directions, visit Eric's website:
http://www.ericgioia.com/events?id=0007
Cheers!
Nu Epsilon Alumni
Association
Average
of ratings: 9 / 10
Forum
#2 - News Article -> Exercise and Brain Cells -> Re: Exercise and Brain
Cells
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 11, 2009,
05:04 AM
While
exercise is not pleasant and oftimes boring, I consider it necessary and am
happy to hear that the same enhances neurogenesis.
Forum
#2 - News Article -> Infants Sleeping with Parents -> Re: Infants
Sleeping with Parents
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 11, 2009,
04:53 AM
I'm
suprised that the aforesaid was even a topic for debate. Assuming a large
enough bed, and not extending beyond infancy, the same seems as natural as could
be imagined. Obviously, a rule of reason would obtain (ie., my response might
change if there were triplets, etc.).
Forum
#2 - News Article -> Neurogenesis
by ALBERT PEIA - Saturday, July 11, 2009,
04:44 AM
NEUROGENESIS:
http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/08/22/10-habits-of-highly-effective-brains
A brief summary of
the list of dos for optimal neurogenesis is:
1. Learn ("Use It or Lose
It").
2.
Proper Nutrition.
3. Exercise your body.
4. Practice positive,
future-oriented thoughts .
5.
Thrive on Learning and
Mental Challenges.
6. Aim high.
7. Explore, travel.
8. Don't Outsource Your Brain.
9. Develop and maintain stimulating friendships.
10. Laugh. Often.
The most
interesting fact I learned from the article was that the brain only weighs 2%
of body mass but consumes over 20% of the oxygen and nutrients we
intake.
In his article, The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Brains
, Alvaro
Fernandez has credibly offered a very doable regimen.
A more detailed discussion of
neurogenesis at the following website:
http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Adult_neurogenesis
Maximum
rating: 7 / 10
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Forum
# 1 - Introduce Yourself -> Introduction forum # 1 -> Re: Introduction
forum # 1
by ALBERT PEIA - Thursday, June 25, 2009,
08:15 PM
Your son is very lucky to have such a
conscientious mom!
Regards,
Al Peia
by ALBERT PEIA - Thursday, June 25, 2009,
07:59 PM
Average
of ratings: 10 / 10