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Neuroscience
The Daily Routines of Geniuses
March 28, 2014
As I read, I became convinced that for these geniuses, a routine was more than a luxury — it was essential to their work. As Currey puts it, “A solid routine fosters a well-worn groove for one’s mental energies and helps stave off the tyranny of moods.” And although the book itself is a delightful hodgepodge of trivia, not a how-to manual, I began to notice several common elements in the lives of the healthier geniuses (the ones who relied more on discipline than on, say, booze and Benzedrine)...
March 28, 2014
As I read, I became convinced that for these geniuses, a routine was more than a luxury — it was essential to their work. As Currey puts it, “A solid routine fosters a well-worn groove for one’s mental energies and helps stave off the tyranny of moods.” And although the book itself is a delightful hodgepodge of trivia, not a how-to manual, I began to notice several common elements in the lives of the healthier geniuses (the ones who relied more on discipline than on, say, booze and Benzedrine)...
Researchers Use Electricity to Stimulate Troops’ Brains
March 27, 2014
Tired troops may get a jolt out of a late-night caffeine boost, but researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory say they may have found a better way to fight fatigue. A mild electric stimulation has proven in a research study of about 175 volunteers to be more effective for longer times than caffeine, said R. Andy McKinley, a 711th Human Performance Wing biomedical engineer in the Human Effectiveness Directorate. “We found this really helps keep your attention on task,” McKinley said.
March 27, 2014
Tired troops may get a jolt out of a late-night caffeine boost, but researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory say they may have found a better way to fight fatigue. A mild electric stimulation has proven in a research study of about 175 volunteers to be more effective for longer times than caffeine, said R. Andy McKinley, a 711th Human Performance Wing biomedical engineer in the Human Effectiveness Directorate. “We found this really helps keep your attention on task,” McKinley said.
The Neuroscience of Decision Making Explained in 30 Seconds
March 25, 2014
Is it possible to explain the neuroscience of decision making in 30 seconds? I had a go as one of my contributions to a new book called 30-Second Brain that’s released in the USA today. Here’s what I wrote: From Plato’s charioteer controlling the horse of passion, to Freud’s instinctual id suppressed by the ego, there’s a long tradition of seeing reason and emotion as being in opposition to one another. Translating this perspective to neuroscience, one might imagine that successful decision...
March 25, 2014
Is it possible to explain the neuroscience of decision making in 30 seconds? I had a go as one of my contributions to a new book called 30-Second Brain that’s released in the USA today. Here’s what I wrote: From Plato’s charioteer controlling the horse of passion, to Freud’s instinctual id suppressed by the ego, there’s a long tradition of seeing reason and emotion as being in opposition to one another. Translating this perspective to neuroscience, one might imagine that successful decision...
Use Mediation Training to Be a Client-Centered Lawyer
March 19, 2014
As a former litigation lawyer, in-house litigation manager and mediation professor, I’ve come to appreciate how learning basic mediation skills can significantly improve an attorney’s overall legal skills. Like most of my colleagues, I was trained in the adversarial system of justice and believed that to be a “zealous advocate,” my role was to fight for my clients’ rights. After a career at a company where I often saw that legal problems were not the only important issues in a dispute,...
March 19, 2014
As a former litigation lawyer, in-house litigation manager and mediation professor, I’ve come to appreciate how learning basic mediation skills can significantly improve an attorney’s overall legal skills. Like most of my colleagues, I was trained in the adversarial system of justice and believed that to be a “zealous advocate,” my role was to fight for my clients’ rights. After a career at a company where I often saw that legal problems were not the only important issues in a dispute,...
Analyzing LTNY: Lawyers Want Easy Tech With More Tools – Picture It Settled
March 3, 2014
Donald Philbin, a dispute resolution expert, showed me the latest version of the Picture It Settled website featuring the Settlement...
March 3, 2014
Donald Philbin, a dispute resolution expert, showed me the latest version of the Picture It Settled website featuring the Settlement...
Can Neuroscience Really Help Us Understand the Nuclear Negotiations With Iran?
February 26, 2014
A few days ago, Iran began multilateral talks in Vienna in search of a compromise about its nuclear ambitions. I’m no expert on international politics, but I’m sure that these vital negotiations will be influenced by the history of the relationships between the countries involved, the state of nuclear proliferation around the world, as well as by local political factors in Iran and its region. Psychology will also come into play in terms of the negotiation partners’ perceptions about what’s...
February 26, 2014
A few days ago, Iran began multilateral talks in Vienna in search of a compromise about its nuclear ambitions. I’m no expert on international politics, but I’m sure that these vital negotiations will be influenced by the history of the relationships between the countries involved, the state of nuclear proliferation around the world, as well as by local political factors in Iran and its region. Psychology will also come into play in terms of the negotiation partners’ perceptions about what’s...
The Neuroscience Guide to Negotiations With Iran
February 26, 2014
“Imagine being told that you cannot do what everyone else is doing,” appealed Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in a somber YouTube message defending the country’s nuclear program in November. “Would you back down? Would you relent? Or would you stand your ground?” While only 14 nations, including Iran, enrich uranium (e.g. “what everyone else is doing”), Zarif’s message raises a question at the heart of ongoing talks to implement a final nuclear settlement with Tehran:...
February 26, 2014
“Imagine being told that you cannot do what everyone else is doing,” appealed Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in a somber YouTube message defending the country’s nuclear program in November. “Would you back down? Would you relent? Or would you stand your ground?” While only 14 nations, including Iran, enrich uranium (e.g. “what everyone else is doing”), Zarif’s message raises a question at the heart of ongoing talks to implement a final nuclear settlement with Tehran:...
Sperm Carry Memory Across Generations of Mice
February 16, 2014
On December 7th, I wrote a blog post about a published study in which scientists, Brian Dias and Kerry Ressler, demonstrated mice could transfer an experiential threat memory across three generations. As the spotlight shines heavy, debates among scientists heated up after it’s print debut in last week’s issue of Nature Neuroscience. The novel, comprehensive and meticulously produced findings wowed most researchers. Still, others criticized such a bold claim as being without an identified...
February 16, 2014
On December 7th, I wrote a blog post about a published study in which scientists, Brian Dias and Kerry Ressler, demonstrated mice could transfer an experiential threat memory across three generations. As the spotlight shines heavy, debates among scientists heated up after it’s print debut in last week’s issue of Nature Neuroscience. The novel, comprehensive and meticulously produced findings wowed most researchers. Still, others criticized such a bold claim as being without an identified...
Be Careful While You Sleep – Dreams Affect Mood the Next Day
February 15, 2014
Dylan Selterman and his colleagues asked 61 undergrads (aged 17-42; 47 women) to keep detailed, morning dream diaries for two weeks. Each evening the participants also kept records of what they'd been up to in the day, including their relations with their partner. Having a partner of at least six months duration was a requirement for taking part in the research. Overall, last night's dream content was associated with the ensuing day's behaviour in ways you'd expect. Dreaming last night of being...
February 15, 2014
Dylan Selterman and his colleagues asked 61 undergrads (aged 17-42; 47 women) to keep detailed, morning dream diaries for two weeks. Each evening the participants also kept records of what they'd been up to in the day, including their relations with their partner. Having a partner of at least six months duration was a requirement for taking part in the research. Overall, last night's dream content was associated with the ensuing day's behaviour in ways you'd expect. Dreaming last night of being...
Israel’s New Organ Donation Nudge
February 9, 2014
Israel, which has a history of creatively incentivizing organ donation, will soon be implementing yet another organ “nudge.” Al Roth shared a recent email from Israeli transplant surgeon (and Freakonomics podcast guest) Jay Lavee explaining the new policy (which is based on unpublished research by Roth and Judd Kessler): Just a short note to let you know that the Israeli Minister of Health has adopted this week my recommendation to establish by law the modified mandated choice model...
February 9, 2014
Israel, which has a history of creatively incentivizing organ donation, will soon be implementing yet another organ “nudge.” Al Roth shared a recent email from Israeli transplant surgeon (and Freakonomics podcast guest) Jay Lavee explaining the new policy (which is based on unpublished research by Roth and Judd Kessler): Just a short note to let you know that the Israeli Minister of Health has adopted this week my recommendation to establish by law the modified mandated choice model...
