Saturday, July 7, 2012

Scientists generate electricity with a virus

Ouija board helps psychologists probe the subconscious

Beloved of spiritualists and bored teenagers on a dare, the Ouija board has long been a source of entertainment, mystery and sometimes downright spookiness. Now it could shine a light on the secrets of the unconscious mind.

The Ouija, also known as a talking board, is a wooden plaque marked with the words, "yes", "no" and the letters of the alphabet. Typically a group of users place their hands on a movable pointer , or "planchette", and ask questions out loud. Sometimes the planchette signals an answer, even when no one admits to moving it deliberately.

Believers think the answer comes through from the spirit world. In fact, all the evidence points to the real cause being the ideomotor effect, small muscle movements we generate unconsciously.

That's why the Ouija board has attracted the attention of psychologists at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Growing evidence suggests the unconscious plays a role in cognitive functions we usually consider the preserve of the conscious mind. More..
Short Sharp Science: Ouija board helps psychologists probe the subconscious

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Painting Fool is no idiot - Video

The Painting Fool, a computer program which has been taught to recognize human emotion, has been building a reputation as an accomplished artist over the past decade. Its creator Simon Colton believes the Fool's future is as bright as some of the abstract artwork created by the program. He has big plans to extend the program into the area of literature.

Finns fight stress at brain gym - Video

A fitness center for the brain opens in the Finnish capital, offering smells, sounds and light effects for enhanced and instant recreation of overloaded human brains.