Hooray for Brains!

"Unconscious processing improves decision making"
http://scienceblog.com/59688/unconscious-processing-improves-decision-making/

Funny enough, I have always thought this about my brain and have confused people who asked me for decisions by walking off doing something else and then coming back a few minutes later with a fully thought out decision that I didn't really think about. Human brains are quite impressive. I have always been rather grateful that my brain can handle continuing to think about things when I need to deal with something else. I bet this technique is something some people would be interested to learn. I don't know how far it goes, there are probably some situations when one needs to think through all the parts of a decision consciously to be able to make a good decision.
Do they teach effective problem solving techniques in schools these days? I know they do not teach effective coping methods well.
 The first comment on the article says "It’s interesting to consider the fact that our brains our so perfectly designed that when left to their own devices they function more efficiently than when we are in a position to control, and therefore restrict them." (by Jeremy Hensley) I am not sure I totally agree with him. Our brains take all sorts of shortcuts that are helpful in some situations, but when it comes to things like stereotyping, I disagree that the shortcuts my brain takes are always helpful. In those situations, people who are stereotyped can be very hurt that my brain made unconscious shortcuts around them. Those decisions may save thinking time in situations where other people do not matter, but I rather think that all people matter. Its a Christian love thing. All people for me are God's people and thus deserve some dignity and respect.
I do look forward to seeing more research on this kind of topic. I am always interested in research on the brain and the mind-body (brain) connection. There are so many aspects about our own brain which we do not understand. Especially those of us not in the field. (I can especially say that I am very grateful for my brain when it comes up with stuff that I know when I think I did not know it, like on tests, which I am hopeful will happen a little bit this morning!)

Programming Ancient Languages

For part of my Lenten practice, I am going to be reading and reflecting on a science article each day. Hopefully they will all end up here. Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. Today's article was:
Computerized 'Rosetta Stone' Reconstructs Ancient Languages

The article is pretty cool for someone who loves languages. In Ancient Hebrew class we sometimes talk about Ugaric and the way that Ugaric studies have helped understand some of the rare ancient Hebrew words in the Torah that were previously unknown. In liturgics we did talk about how in serious religious situations, people usually go back to the older, more archaic language/vocabulary to express time honored emotions. Not only are our abilities to program a computer to find aspects and sound connections impressive, but the idea that ancient languages are based on patterns which we still use today is kind of impressive. Human brains obviously have some traits that do follow through despite generations upon generations of small changes.
This is the kind of thing I would do more if I had more time in my life, study ancient languages. Along with study ancient mathematics. The article has an exception for Latin, which I am surprised about. What patterns does Latin not follow?
Humans create their own meanings and understandings through their symbols, and language is the principle vehicle for sharing those. Emotions, patterns, and music may be better vehicles, but language is probably the most used. And to think we are always surprised when what we find written are normal things about business and politics and religion. We have our patterns. If only we could change those patterns to reflect the joy and love we feel instead of the pain and hurt.
I wonder if they have or will send something like Ancient Hebrew through such a program. I wonder if we have missed stuff in our nuanced skilled language reconstructions. Just in taking Hebrew class, I have learned new things about the Torah which could change the way most Christians view the bible and their theology. Just because we like our worldview, doesn't mean its the best.

Dinner Guests -- Round 2.1

Finally! The next installment of my dinner guest tournament. For those of you that have bad memories, I've been challenged to select three fictional characters that I can invite to dinner (obviously, since they're fictional, I won't really be having a dinner, but that doesn't mean I can't pretend!).

First, here is the left half of the bracket after Round 1:

And my picks:

Abed v. Sawyer
This one wasn't too difficult. Although Sawyer's wit is amusing, it's going to be hard to pass up inviting Abed.

Neville v. River
While River is quite the character, I don't think I would want to spend my night making sure she doesn't kill anyone... I'll go with Neville.

Han v. R2D2
This was definitely one of the toughest this round, but I can't bring myself to kick out R2 just yet, he's just so cute!

Odd v. Leia
While Leia is pretty bad ass, Odd is too awesome a character to pass up having dinner with!

Captain Reynolds v. Hagrid
I'm going to have to go with Captain Tightpants on this one, sorry Hagrid.

Dumbledore v. Luna
This was a tough one, and my first thought was for Luna. But thinking about it more, I realize Dumbledore is not only a wise and powerful wizard, but he certainly has his share of wit.

Amy v. Dwight
I'm sure Dwight would not fail in making any party at least memorable, Amy Pond would have plenty of stories to share about her adventures with the Doctor.

Enoch v. Eliza
Eliza is one of my favorite Baroque Cycle characters, but Enoch would have many stories to share and questions to answer.

With that, here's the left side of the bracket so far:

FREE STICKERS!! aka Go Vote!

Not to get all political here, but I just wanted to say happy voting day to every one and I hope you all go out and exercise your right to vote today!

Also, when deciding who to vote for I hope you consider the person and not just their party. I'm a registered Republican and I  voted for 2 D's and 1 R today. I'm not going to tell you who specifically (unless you really want to know) because I don't want you to vote for who I voted for. I want you to go do some research, figure out which issues are important to you, and decide which candidate you think is best.
* back flips off soapbox *

Happy Voting!

Dinner Guests -- Round 1.4

And finally, to finish up Round 1, here's the last quarter of the bracket:

				Timon (The Lion King)
				Hoban “Wash” Washburn (Firefly)
				Shawn Spencer (Psych)
				The 10th Doctor (Doctor Who)
				Professor Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)
				Raj Koothrappali (The Big Bang Theory)
				Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
				Peregrin “Pippin” Took (Lord of the Rings)
				Fred Weasley (Harry Potter)
				Gandalf the Grey (Lord of the Rings)
				Troy Barnes (Community)
				Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)
				Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)
				Legolas Greenleaf (Lord of the Rings)
				River Song (Doctor Who)
				Ozzie P. Boone (Odd Thomas)

Mi selecciones:

Timon v. Wash
Wash is one of my favorite characters of all time, and I think he'd be a fun dinner guest. And he has to bring along is toy dinosaurs.

Shawn v. 10th Doctor
This might be the hardest one this round. The 10th Doctor is my favorite Doctor, and I realize I've already kicked the other two out. Shawn is amazing and funny, but I'd be kind of creeped out at the fact that he'd be able to tell all these personal things about me just by looking at me, let alone my apartment.

McGonagall v. Raj
I think I'll have to go with McGonagall on this one, seeing as Raj would have to be drunk just to talk to me. Also, McGonagall can do magic.

Hermione v. Pippin
While Pippin is my favority hobbit, Hermione is like an old friend to me. (And she'd probably help me cook!)

Fred v. Gandalf
Okay, so I didn't want to knock all the Weasley's out in the first round. And Fred co-instrumented the epic fireworks display at the end of OOTP. (Yes, Gandalf had quite the firework show himself, but Fred's takes the cake since it caused chaos for Umbridge.)

Troy v. Obi-Wan
Okay, so Obi-Wan has a lightsaber, but Troy can make an epic blanket fort. Enough said.

Samwise v. Legolas
Sam is a lovable and loyal character, but Legolas is an elf and I'd guess he has many stories and things to share.

River Song v. Ozzie P. Boone
There wasn't any question about this, though Ozzie is quite the character in his own right. "You've got a time machine. I've got a gun. What the hell. Let's kill Hitler," pretty much sums it up.

To round out the last 8 first round survivors:

				Timon (The Lion King)
			Wash
				Hoban “Wash” Washburn (Firefly)
				Shawn Spencer (Psych)
			10th Doctor
				The 10th Doctor (Doctor Who)
				Professor Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)
			McGonagall
				Raj Koothrappali (The Big Bang Theory)
				Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
			Hermione
				Peregrin “Pippin” Took (Lord of the Rings)
				Fred Weasley (Harry Potter)
			Fred Weasley
				Gandalf the Grey (Lord of the Rings)
				Troy Barnes (Community)
			Troy
				Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)
				Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)
			Legolas
				Legolas Greenleaf (Lord of the Rings)
				River Song (Doctor Who)
			River Song
				Ozzie P. Boone (Odd Thomas)