Comments for Exude Profit http://exudeprofit.com/blog Internet Marketing Business as Social Collaboration Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:38:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Listening (or reading the chat) by editor http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/07/25/listening-or-reading-the-chat/comment-page-1/#comment-3161 editor Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:29:52 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/?p=2434#comment-3161 Thank you for the comment Renita. I hope to be updating this blog a lot more frequently. Thank you for the comment Renita. I hope to be updating this blog a lot more frequently.

]]> Comment on Listening (or reading the chat) by Renita Mason http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/07/25/listening-or-reading-the-chat/comment-page-1/#comment-3125 Renita Mason Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:59:29 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/?p=2434#comment-3125 Thank you Tarek for sharing your story on your Blog, it is very intersesting. I want to also thank you for sharing your Blog with me. :) Many Blessings To You, Renita Mason Thank you Tarek for sharing your story on your Blog, it is very intersesting. I want to also thank you for sharing your Blog with me. :)

Many Blessings To You,
Renita Mason

]]> Comment on The Future of the Brain: The Promise and Perils of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience by Joseph Caubo http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/comment-page-1/#comment-3060 Joseph Caubo Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:03:07 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/#comment-3060 Steven Rose's The Future of The Brain: The Promise and Peril's of Tomorrow's Neuroscience does not tell so much about the future of the brain as it does tell how the past has shaped our understanding of the brain and what this might mean for new advances. It is not until the last two chapters that Rose really delves into future of the entire neuroscience industry and the ethical concerns that will arise from it. <br /> <br />Although I liked the history Rose covers for neuroscience, I am a bit disappointed that there was not much about the future of neuroscience. Considering the title, I was hoping there would be more of a focus on any advances that we have with technology interfacing with the brain, but Rose really constricts his focus towards the messing with the chemical physiology of the brain and the use of DNA to predict behavior - and only devotes three and a half pages to AI and the merging of the mind with machine. I also have a problem with Rose's bias towards work and theories that he does not agree with. Even from the first chapter, you can tell he has his sights on criticizing the likes of Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, obsessing over the words they use and not really criticizing their theories (pages 93 & 188). <br /> <br />The structure of this book is very simple, as it gives a very informative history of the neuroscience field. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the topics covered in the book, giving a nice explanation of some of the concepts Rose discusses later in the book. The second and third chapters really discuss the evolution of species on Earth, and how the nervous systems came into being and what environmental factors helped to aid their evolution. <br /> <br />In Chapters 4 and 5, Rose starts to narrow the discussion of the evolution of the brain and the nervous system to humans. Beyond the environmental factors that guided evolution over a couple billion years, Rose really starts to bring in the social factors that guided our evolution, for instance our speech. His explanations from the biological standpoint pick up and begin to answer questions where religion and philosophy could not. <br /> <br />In Chapters 6 and 7, Rose further explores the human mind and how it works on a biological level. He goes to explain the biological workings of human brain, discussing how neurons and synapses work, and how this ties in to our conception of memory. Then, after setting the stage for the workings of the brain, he then discusses what happens as the brain age and gets to the limits of its life. I really enjoy his discussions between the brain, or the physiological part of the human, and the mind, or the conscious experience that we all have. Even though we acknowledge those who are older as being wiser, Rose discusses how as we age our brains begin to shut down and develop disorders like Parkinson's and Alzhiemer's. This is probably the most interesting chapter of the book, because Rose really lays out how ageing is not as beautiful and romantic as we make it out to be, instead he talks about how the ages we live today were not meant for the lifespan of the brain and how that has caused the many problems people get when they are older. <br /> <br />In Chapters 8 and 9, Rose brings in the discussion of philosophy and ethics and how recent history in neuroscience has brought together some good diagnosis and treatment, but it has developed its own ethical issues as well. Chapter 8 really goes over the philosophy of the mind, trying to discern between the biological functions and the ideas of consciousness. I really enjoyed how he talked about plasticity not only in terms of memory, but also how it has applied to the biological workings of the brain. From there he lays down the groundwork for the rise of the pharmaceutical industry and how it merges the use of drugs to control behavior, which he really goes in depth about in Chapter 9. <br /> <br />Chapters 10 and 11 finally discuss the future of the brain. He talks about how neuroscience is tackling the brain from different fronts - from the genetic side to the chemical side to the artificial intelligence side. In Chapter 11, he delves further into the ethical issues of the future, and goes into a bit of "tin foil hat" conspiracy theories about how governments will intend to use these neurotechnologies for thought control. I really did not find this to be the best and the most succinct endings to a really good book. <br /> <br />Out of the entire book, I have a couple of quotes that I just really enjoy: <br /> <br />"All babies, even those who have been born blind, and consequently never able to see a human face, nevertheless start to smile at around 5 weeks, perhaps enabled by the continuing myelination of crucial brain structures such as the basal ganglia." (135) - An interesting fact I never knew about. <br /> <br />"Ageing is emphatically not a disease, nor is it one specific process, any more than is early development; it is an all-embracing term for a long-drawn-out phase of the life cycle that in one sense begins at birth." (173) - Rose really hits the point home that ageing isn't a disease, its natural and that its something we all must go through. <br /> <br />Overall, I thought the book was very informative over the history of neuroscience and brain development, but the ending was very lackluster. <br /> <br />I would suggest picking up this book either from Amazon or at your local bookstore. It is a very informative read and a must for any budding neuroscientists. When you do get this book, read all chapters after Chapter 1 in pairs, because (like how this review is laid out), because the flow will really work best that way. <br /> Rating: 4 / 5 Steven Rose’s The Future of The Brain: The Promise and Peril’s of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience does not tell so much about the future of the brain as it does tell how the past has shaped our understanding of the brain and what this might mean for new advances. It is not until the last two chapters that Rose really delves into future of the entire neuroscience industry and the ethical concerns that will arise from it.

Although I liked the history Rose covers for neuroscience, I am a bit disappointed that there was not much about the future of neuroscience. Considering the title, I was hoping there would be more of a focus on any advances that we have with technology interfacing with the brain, but Rose really constricts his focus towards the messing with the chemical physiology of the brain and the use of DNA to predict behavior – and only devotes three and a half pages to AI and the merging of the mind with machine. I also have a problem with Rose’s bias towards work and theories that he does not agree with. Even from the first chapter, you can tell he has his sights on criticizing the likes of Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, obsessing over the words they use and not really criticizing their theories (pages 93 & 188).

The structure of this book is very simple, as it gives a very informative history of the neuroscience field. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the topics covered in the book, giving a nice explanation of some of the concepts Rose discusses later in the book. The second and third chapters really discuss the evolution of species on Earth, and how the nervous systems came into being and what environmental factors helped to aid their evolution.

In Chapters 4 and 5, Rose starts to narrow the discussion of the evolution of the brain and the nervous system to humans. Beyond the environmental factors that guided evolution over a couple billion years, Rose really starts to bring in the social factors that guided our evolution, for instance our speech. His explanations from the biological standpoint pick up and begin to answer questions where religion and philosophy could not.

In Chapters 6 and 7, Rose further explores the human mind and how it works on a biological level. He goes to explain the biological workings of human brain, discussing how neurons and synapses work, and how this ties in to our conception of memory. Then, after setting the stage for the workings of the brain, he then discusses what happens as the brain age and gets to the limits of its life. I really enjoy his discussions between the brain, or the physiological part of the human, and the mind, or the conscious experience that we all have. Even though we acknowledge those who are older as being wiser, Rose discusses how as we age our brains begin to shut down and develop disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzhiemer’s. This is probably the most interesting chapter of the book, because Rose really lays out how ageing is not as beautiful and romantic as we make it out to be, instead he talks about how the ages we live today were not meant for the lifespan of the brain and how that has caused the many problems people get when they are older.

In Chapters 8 and 9, Rose brings in the discussion of philosophy and ethics and how recent history in neuroscience has brought together some good diagnosis and treatment, but it has developed its own ethical issues as well. Chapter 8 really goes over the philosophy of the mind, trying to discern between the biological functions and the ideas of consciousness. I really enjoyed how he talked about plasticity not only in terms of memory, but also how it has applied to the biological workings of the brain. From there he lays down the groundwork for the rise of the pharmaceutical industry and how it merges the use of drugs to control behavior, which he really goes in depth about in Chapter 9.

Chapters 10 and 11 finally discuss the future of the brain. He talks about how neuroscience is tackling the brain from different fronts – from the genetic side to the chemical side to the artificial intelligence side. In Chapter 11, he delves further into the ethical issues of the future, and goes into a bit of “tin foil hat” conspiracy theories about how governments will intend to use these neurotechnologies for thought control. I really did not find this to be the best and the most succinct endings to a really good book.

Out of the entire book, I have a couple of quotes that I just really enjoy:

“All babies, even those who have been born blind, and consequently never able to see a human face, nevertheless start to smile at around 5 weeks, perhaps enabled by the continuing myelination of crucial brain structures such as the basal ganglia.” (135) – An interesting fact I never knew about.

“Ageing is emphatically not a disease, nor is it one specific process, any more than is early development; it is an all-embracing term for a long-drawn-out phase of the life cycle that in one sense begins at birth.” (173) – Rose really hits the point home that ageing isn’t a disease, its natural and that its something we all must go through.

Overall, I thought the book was very informative over the history of neuroscience and brain development, but the ending was very lackluster.

I would suggest picking up this book either from Amazon or at your local bookstore. It is a very informative read and a must for any budding neuroscientists. When you do get this book, read all chapters after Chapter 1 in pairs, because (like how this review is laid out), because the flow will really work best that way.

Rating: 4 / 5

]]> Comment on The Future of the Brain: The Promise and Perils of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience by Andy Blunden http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/comment-page-1/#comment-3059 Andy Blunden Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:08:07 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/#comment-3059 Steven Rose, a founding member of the Society for Social Responsibility in Science, has 40 years of publishing in neuroscience behind him. Since the 1960s he fought against "On Aggression," "The Territorial Imperative," "The Naked Ape" and has combated a whole succession of varieties of social Darwinism and biological determinism up to the current batch of snake oil salesmen marketing pharmaceutical solutions to social problems. <br />"The Future of the Brain" summarises the achievements and limitations of the great progress that neuroscience has made over recent decades, from one of the few neuroscientists who have appropriate modesty about what their science can tell us about the human condition and what it can't. If you have read any of the current crop of books on the mind, then you absolutely must read this book. If Rose is right, then we face grave dangers: not so much because neuroscience will enable a futuristic dystopia of thought-control or eugenic manufacture of super-brains, but rather that ill-advised and counter-productive medical intervention will enrich the pharmaceutical industry at the cost of increasing human suffering. <br />Rose gives a much more nuanced understanding of what the mind is, how it is enabled by our biology and shaped by our lives and those of our evolutionary and social forebears. <br /> Rating: 5 / 5 Steven Rose, a founding member of the Society for Social Responsibility in Science, has 40 years of publishing in neuroscience behind him. Since the 1960s he fought against “On Aggression,” “The Territorial Imperative,” “The Naked Ape” and has combated a whole succession of varieties of social Darwinism and biological determinism up to the current batch of snake oil salesmen marketing pharmaceutical solutions to social problems.

“The Future of the Brain” summarises the achievements and limitations of the great progress that neuroscience has made over recent decades, from one of the few neuroscientists who have appropriate modesty about what their science can tell us about the human condition and what it can’t. If you have read any of the current crop of books on the mind, then you absolutely must read this book. If Rose is right, then we face grave dangers: not so much because neuroscience will enable a futuristic dystopia of thought-control or eugenic manufacture of super-brains, but rather that ill-advised and counter-productive medical intervention will enrich the pharmaceutical industry at the cost of increasing human suffering.

Rose gives a much more nuanced understanding of what the mind is, how it is enabled by our biology and shaped by our lives and those of our evolutionary and social forebears.

Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on The Future of the Brain: The Promise and Perils of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience by Karin H. Krueger http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/comment-page-1/#comment-3058 Karin H. Krueger Mon, 14 Jun 2010 05:20:06 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/#comment-3058 The book is fine for a history of the brain, phylogenetically and ontogenetically (see the other reviews), but it is limited and outdated on the future of neuroscience. Rating: 2 / 5 The book is fine for a history of the brain, phylogenetically and ontogenetically (see the other reviews), but it is limited and outdated on the future of neuroscience.
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> Comment on The Future of the Brain: The Promise and Perils of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience by Midwest Book Review http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/comment-page-1/#comment-3057 Midwest Book Review Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:58:12 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/#comment-3057 The brain has traditionally been studied by chemists and behavior by psychologists; but modern scientific advancement is interlacing these disciplines into a unified field of neuroscience, which also includes researchers in biology, genetics, physiology and other disciplines. The Future Of The Brain: The Promise And Perils Of Tomorrow's Neuroscience considers the pros and cons of this marriage between genetics and information science, surveying temptations to treat and control different aspects of behavior, surveying some already-dangerous trends of diagnosis of ADD and other diseases, and discussing how new technologies affect consumers on both a physical and philosophical level. Steven P.R. Rose is a professor of biology at the Open University: his title outlines many concerns. <br /> Rating: 5 / 5 The brain has traditionally been studied by chemists and behavior by psychologists; but modern scientific advancement is interlacing these disciplines into a unified field of neuroscience, which also includes researchers in biology, genetics, physiology and other disciplines. The Future Of The Brain: The Promise And Perils Of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience considers the pros and cons of this marriage between genetics and information science, surveying temptations to treat and control different aspects of behavior, surveying some already-dangerous trends of diagnosis of ADD and other diseases, and discussing how new technologies affect consumers on both a physical and philosophical level. Steven P.R. Rose is a professor of biology at the Open University: his title outlines many concerns.

Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on The Future of the Brain: The Promise and Perils of Tomorrow’s Neuroscience by algo41 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/comment-page-1/#comment-3056 algo41 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:16:46 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/14/the-future-of-the-brain-the-promise-and-perils-of-tomorrows-neuroscience/#comment-3056 I got only half way through this book, so I am writing this review as a warning. This book is awful on two accounts. It is hastily written, and it isn't very informative. I would expect most readers to be either confused and/or bored, depending on their background (I cannot account for the other reviews). Rose has several schematics of the brain, but does not actually explain them except in the most cursory way. Rose emphasizes the interplay between genes and environment where environment must be interpreted in the broadest sense: for the unborn it includes not only the uterine environment but the signals from the other cells constituting the embryonic/fetal complex. This is fine, but well accepted, at least amongst the scientists I have read. Rose is impressed with Dimasio's work on consciousness, but he more refers to it than tries to make it clear, just as with his brain schematics. He raises some interesting questions about evolutionary psychology, but he is so dismissal of the field, that the reader must seek elsewhere for an objective analysis. Yes, I enjoy reading Richard Dawkins and even Steven Pinker, but I am not writing this review with an axe to grind. Rating: 1 / 5 I got only half way through this book, so I am writing this review as a warning. This book is awful on two accounts. It is hastily written, and it isn’t very informative. I would expect most readers to be either confused and/or bored, depending on their background (I cannot account for the other reviews). Rose has several schematics of the brain, but does not actually explain them except in the most cursory way. Rose emphasizes the interplay between genes and environment where environment must be interpreted in the broadest sense: for the unborn it includes not only the uterine environment but the signals from the other cells constituting the embryonic/fetal complex. This is fine, but well accepted, at least amongst the scientists I have read. Rose is impressed with Dimasio’s work on consciousness, but he more refers to it than tries to make it clear, just as with his brain schematics. He raises some interesting questions about evolutionary psychology, but he is so dismissal of the field, that the reader must seek elsewhere for an objective analysis. Yes, I enjoy reading Richard Dawkins and even Steven Pinker, but I am not writing this review with an axe to grind.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on My Story: My Life After Brain Aneurysm by Tom Beigel http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/13/my-story-my-life-after-brain-aneurysm/comment-page-1/#comment-3055 Tom Beigel Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:20:56 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/13/my-story-my-life-after-brain-aneurysm/#comment-3055 This is a very personal, poignant account of the author's experience recovering from a near fatal brain aneurism. Her trust in God and the unwavering support of her husband sustained her through a severe physical trauma and lengthy recovery. Though no one would desire to undergo such an ordeal, this story is also a parable on the redemptive power of suffering. The crisis calls forth and reveals greater depths of love. Estranged family members are reconciled. The authors response to her ordeal is an example to all who suffer and must rely on others for help and support. Rating: 5 / 5 This is a very personal, poignant account of the author’s experience recovering from a near fatal brain aneurism. Her trust in God and the unwavering support of her husband sustained her through a severe physical trauma and lengthy recovery. Though no one would desire to undergo such an ordeal, this story is also a parable on the redemptive power of suffering. The crisis calls forth and reveals greater depths of love. Estranged family members are reconciled. The authors response to her ordeal is an example to all who suffer and must rely on others for help and support.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on My Story: My Life After Brain Aneurysm by Angela Giordano http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/13/my-story-my-life-after-brain-aneurysm/comment-page-1/#comment-3054 Angela Giordano Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:56:53 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/13/my-story-my-life-after-brain-aneurysm/#comment-3054 This is a very heartfelt and touching story of one who has gone through a difficult and traumatic injury. I would recommend this book to all who wants to understand a personal undertaking to recovery and know that our personal strengths and strong relationships are keys to a full and complete recovery. Great and easy read! Rating: 5 / 5 This is a very heartfelt and touching story of one who has gone through a difficult and traumatic injury. I would recommend this book to all who wants to understand a personal undertaking to recovery and know that our personal strengths and strong relationships are keys to a full and complete recovery. Great and easy read!
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on My Story: My Life After Brain Aneurysm by Mark A. Buck http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/13/my-story-my-life-after-brain-aneurysm/comment-page-1/#comment-3053 Mark A. Buck Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:26:15 +0000 http://exudeprofit.com/blog/2010/06/13/my-story-my-life-after-brain-aneurysm/#comment-3053 Doris is a strong woman who has dealt with life changing circumstances and shares her story to help others! I admire Doris and enjoy working with her as she fills each day with the great passion, energy and zeal for life that comes through in her story. Rating: 5 / 5 Doris is a strong woman who has dealt with life changing circumstances and shares her story to help others! I admire Doris and enjoy working with her as she fills each day with the great passion, energy and zeal for life that comes through in her story.
Rating: 5 / 5

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