Desultory Items: Brain Port and Rugby
Posted By RichC on April 25, 2006
Two totally different topics … “Brain Port” as described at MSNBC and a personal video. (humor me)
First, a concept and device that was introduced 30 years ago by Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita at the University of Wisconsin; it is know as “Brain Port.” Originally it was a video camera that routed images through electrodes to nerves on a persons lower back. Through experimentation, he discovered that the tongue was an even better receptor.
Dr. Anil Raj (photo) and his team has move forward with this concept and is using 144 microelectrodes to transmit information through the tongue. The brain which can learn to process the signal can quickly help people make sensory decisions their own 6 senses cannot process. The military oriented research is experimenting with soldiers and Navy Seal divers. In the underwater use, the tongue “Brain Port” is used to transmit sonar and directional information to the diver.
In the article, the device was tested with blind people, who “found doorways, noticed people walking in front of them and caught balls.” Although much of the research is being design around the military potential, a commercially produced device could be available soon. The article states that the “Brain Port” could be helpful for those whose vestibular systems of the inner ear are damaged which causes balance problems. On a personal note, this interests me since I spend several years suffering from the effects of Menieres disease and know what loss of balance is all about.
EDIT: Spotted an Engadget post on this … a great site BTW.
For the personal post, I filmed a little of my son’s Rugby match this past weekend. It was really the first sunny and warm day for a match as the half dozen others took place in the rain or at least damp weather. I don’t know why, but it seems that my son is attracted to sports that I know little about … why couldn’t it be football or baseball?
Nevertheless, several matches into the season I’m beginning to understand the game and am happy to see Taylor enjoying the camradery and physical challenges associated with this rough game. His team has suffered several major injuries (three broken legs) which to Taylor’s positive way of looking at things has moved him to a starter position. (1st year sophomores generally learn the game and are substituted from the sidelines) Another interesting … and embarrassing part about posting this short 4 minute video clip is that this is my wife’s first match … and she knows even less about Rugby that me! (in other words, ignore my comments on the video of me trying to explain the game to her)
🙂
I spotted a Volkswagen Jetta advertisement that reminds me of the Volvo ads … stressing safety.An accident can happen at anytime and that selecting a car that is light and fuel efficient might not always be the wisest choice. Realizing just how much I spend on insurance “just in case” … perhaps a few dollars toward a safer vehicle isn’t a bad idea either? 
The subject is on everyone’s mind once again … Fuel prices. What are we doing about it and is it really a problem of our own making? As several east coast gas stations put the ‘Out of Gas’ signs back on their pumps, Americans are getting worked up once again over potential shortages and the higher price of oil. Crude has been hitting highs at over $70/barrel (over $75 today), but most analysts indicate our stockpiles and inventories are in good shape. “Its the uncertainly with Iran” one Future’s trader commented, “its not a matter of IF we go head to head with Iran over their nuclear program, its WHEN.” I suspect that fear in this case, mixed with a little greed, is what is triggering $3+ dollar gasoline and diesel. 
Local resident, retired University of Cincinnati Professor and astronaut Neil Armstrong made a rare appearance along with John Glenn, 
Armstong said, “I was the strange creature that kidnapped Bock from his homeland and brought him to this strange, new and still-changing planet. I can’t help feeling that I owe him an apology or at least an explanation.” That explanation, he said, would be that humans “want to know where they’ve been and to know better where we’re going.”
Since taxes are finished, I finally had a few minutes to tinker with 
I’ll state it bluntly … “I hate paying taxes.” (but suspect I’m not alone) In an attempt to feel a little better, I’ve noticed that taxes in the US are not as drastic as many European countries and on par with the Japanese. Swedish nationals for example pay over 50% of their earning in taxes which compares to the average US citizen sufferring a 26% tax burden. Most other European countries fall somewhere between the US and Sweden. 
For as much as we all are critical of the 66,498 pages of US Tax code, the burden is lighter on those earning less and heavier on living more comfortably. We call this a “progressive” tax structure. “Currently, the 1% of American households with the highest incomes — those earning an average of about $1 million a year — pay about 31% of their income in federal taxes, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The 20% of households with the lowest incomes — those earning an average of about $15,000 a year — pay less than 5% of their incomes in taxes.”