Honoring a major scientific contribution
A seminal chapter in the history of modern neuroscience closed this Tuesday when Henry Gustav Molaison passed away at age 82. Mr. Molaison, previously known only as H.M., underwent experimental surgery in 1953 to remove part of his hippocampus as treatment for severe seizures. After surgery, Mr. Molaison found he could not form new memories of people, places or experiences, although his personality, the memories of his life prior to surgery, and his capacity to form other types of memories (e.g. muscle memory) remained intact. His case revolutionized our understanding of memory and identity, and is familiar to any student of modern psychology or medical science. The New York Times has an interesting piece on his life, including accounts from the scientists who worked with him over the years.
“He was a very gracious man, very patient, always willing to try these tasks I would give him,†Dr. Milner, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Montreal Neurological Institute and McGill University, said in a recent interview. “And yet every time I walked in the room, it was like we’d never met.â€
Thank you, Mr. Molaison.
Prop 8 the Musical
This appears to only have dropped 15 hours ago, so spread the word:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones
Christmas on Mars, Tomorrow
We have only been waiting like 8 years for this, but tomorrow “Christmas on Mars” is finally coming out (on DVD/CD). This marks the end of some extreme waiting that I’ve been doing lately. Later on in the week, on Thursday, we will get to read the NTSB’s cover up about the 35W bridge collapse. What we wont read is about how the construction crew caused the bridge to fall down, but if you were driving over it that month it would be pretty clear that that was the problem… Here’s to waiting!
Colin Powell Endorses Obama
Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell (ret.) outlines his reasons for crossing party lines and voting for Barack Obama:
Powell’s points:
McCain - Failin
The McCain - Failin ticket is getting desperate. They have now officially accused their opponent of links to terrorism. Seriously. We knew that this political season would be a rollercoaster ride. We knew we would be bombarded with negative ads. We even knew that Sarah Failin was nuts. Hell, just look at those goggles she sports.
But we didn’t REALLY expect her to sink so low as to attempt to link the opposing ticket to terrorism. Sarah Failin is insane, this cannot be denied. These people aren’t mavericks, they’re not even Goose or Iceman, the folks on the McCain - Failin ticket are merely political shills who are trying to appease the people before the election. It’s not working.
Instead of proposing any ideas to get America out of this current war, this economic disaster, the ongoing recession, the loss of respect of Americans on the global scale, the McCain - Failin ticket resorts to name-calling.
That’s not a tactic America needs. McCain - Failin just need to go home. Leave the election to the only people in this election who actually care about the American people: Barack Obama and Joe Biden!
Go Joe!
The Vice-Presidential debate highlighted one thing: Joe Biden will answer the actual questions and Sarah Palin will not. Sara Palin routinely ignored the questions. She just doesn’t get it.
When confronted with a question, her reply was, “Maverick! Maverick! Maverick!” or “Watch out for taxes”!
Her strategy was clearly to simply solidify the base. The Republicans have completely bailed on this election. All Sarah Palin did was tell America that rich, white men need to be in charge. Sarah Palin didn’t help McCain’s cause. She just revealed herself to America to be a mouthpiece for Republicans.
Sarah Palin doesn’t get America.
Sarah Palin doesn’t get the constitution.
Sarah Palin doesn’t get the role of the Vice-President.
Sarah Palin doesn’t understand what the American people want.
Sarah Palin is the most dangerous person in the 2008 election cycle. If she somehow blunders her way into the Executive Branch then America will be doomed.
Joe Biden can work with people.
Joe Biden understands America.
Joe Biden knows what the American people want.
Joe Biden understands the role of the Vice-President.
Joe Biden is the most competent Vice-Presidential candidate on the ticket for 2008. Joe Biden is the best Vice-Presidential candidate we have seen in several decades. Joe Biden will fight for the American people and not for giant corporations. Oh, and Joe says, “God bless America!”
The Real McCain
This video is a nice compilation of McCain’s official stances leading up to our current economic disaster and how he reacts now after the disaster has struck. The only thing certain: McCain has no idea what to do with the economy whether pre- or post-bailout.