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Medicine

Brain Surgery Linked To Sensation of Spirituality 380

the3stars writes "'Removing part of the brain can induce inner peace, according to researchers from Italy. Their study provides the strongest evidence to date that spiritual thinking arises in, or is limited by, specific brain areas. This raises a number of interesting issues about spirituality, among them whether or not people can be born with a strong propensity towards spirituality and also whether it can be acquired through head trauma." One critic's quoted response: "It's important to recognize that the whole study is based on changes in one self-report measure, which is a coarse measure that includes some strange items."

Comment Re:Not consistent? (Score 1) 823

Without measurements, I can say with certainty anything I want.

With measurements, I can only say with certainty what the measurements prove.

An Inconvenient Truth pointed out that warming can lead to cooling in some areas, as ocean currents change. Skeptics point out that urban density leads to localized warming. So whatever you've felt or noticed in your tiny area of the globe doesn't prove anything at all.

Also, that poster didn't refer to kooks or frauds at all. It was a statement of scientific skepticism. Skepticism is required for good science. What's bad for science is emotional people who are scared because they've used their ninth-grade notion of "science" to convince themselves of a conclusion that becomes "obvious" to them... even though they actually know jack shit.

As for me, I *know* I know jack shit and so I will wait for more data points.

It's funny.  Laugh.

The Top Ten Off Switches 245

Dan Jimbokla submitted a story that normally i would pass over, but I actually oddly enjoyed it. "CNET.co.uk has a truly funny and read-worthy article up about the top ten off switches. One of my favorite switches from the piece is #4 — The illuminated toggle switch: "This switch isn't designed for high-drain uses, typically it can only provide a maximum of 20 amps at 12 volts. That will make it suitable for a number of exciting uses though, and what it lacks in power handling, it makes up for in practicality. This switch will illuminate when the device it controls is turned on, and go off when the device is deactivated. This is logical and practical, and that has earned this switch a place in our hearts. What's more, it's far from expensive and there are even a choice of colors.""

Comment Re:The shape bothers me... (Score 3, Interesting) 29

More info on the Yellowstone/Newberry hot spot tracks can be found with this search: http://www.google.com/search?q=yellowstone+newberr y+%22hot+spot+track%22

That isn't as clear a picture as the image you found would indicate. Research found by that search show the hot spot tracks for the Yellowstone WY and Newberry OR calderas appear to trace back to a common unexplained origin around the Owhyee Plateau on the OR/NV border.

Also note that even the meanest volcano can't produce enough pressure to cause shatter cones in rocks. If the pros confirm them, it would mean the only possible causes are an impact or a nuke.

Microsoft

Submission + - FAA May Ditch Vista For Linux

An anonymous reader writes: In what could be the start of a government wave away from Microsoft, last week's news that the U.S. Department of Transportation is putting a halt on upgrades to Windows Vista, Office 2007, and Internet Explorer 7 is followed today by word that the Federal Aviation Administration may ditch Vista and Office in favor of Google's new online business applications running on Linux-based hardware. FAA chief information officer David Bowen told InformationWeek he's taking a close look at the Premier Edition of Google Apps as he mulls replacements for the agency's Windows XP-based desktop computers. Bowen cited several reasons why he finds Google Apps attractive. "From a security and management standpoint that would have some advantages," he said. Do you think that Vista's cost could finally put a crimp in what's been an automatic upgrade cycle to Microsoft and spur Linux adoption? Is this the start of some kind of anti-Vista groundswell?
Space

Journal Journal: Rocketeers Find Large Impact Crater In Nevada 29

While participating in amateur rocket launches in Black Rock Desert (Burning Man site), Ian Kluft KO6YQ noticed rocks with some oddities. Through the Internet he learned the characteristics of impact craters, then found some clues in photographs and Google Maps. Examining the area he got samples of rock with impact patterns in them and other evidence. Previous geological puzzles in the region are well explained as impact structures. Volunteers are finding peculiarities in satellite imagery
Businesses

Submission + - are unfinished products becoming the norm?

Paul writes: Long ago when digital synthesizers first became commonly available, I recall a reviewer lamenting how he was getting more and more products to test whose software was unfinished and buggy and would require updates and fixes (this, before the internet allowed easy downloads, would have meant a journey to a specialist repair centre). The review also commented how this common problem with computer software (he wrote even before windows 95 was out) was spreading, and asked if it was going to become the norm.

These days it seems ubiquitous, with PDAs, digital cameras, PVRs and all manner of complex goods needing after-market firmware fixes often simply to make them have the features promised in the adverts, let alone add enhancements.

Are we seeing this spread beyond computers and computer-based products; jokes apart, will we be booting our cars up and installing flash updates every week to prevent comoputer viruses getting into the control systems?

Can slashdot readers comment on any recent purchases where they've been badly let down by missing features, or are still waiting for promised updates even whilst a new model is now on the shelves? How can we make the manufacturers take better responsibility?

Apart from reading every review possible before making a purchase, what strategy do slashdot readers have, or propose, for not being caught out? With software, people say "never buy v1.0", but this is not possible with say a digicam.

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