Escotes:
After my experience at the Columbus museum this week, I couldn't fail
to notice this bit of news. The BBC has made the sort of apology
which isn't really an apology: "We're sorry if some people were
upset etc."
Unrelatedly
. . . Here's a fascinating podcast from the BBC, asking the question
What do we really know about pornography? It
seems there's no overall definition of what this is, meaning that all
depends on which branch of science or philosophy - or religion -
you're coming from. As it were. And on the boundaries of your
personal distaste. The presenter does an excellent job of weaving her
way between the differing opinions and arriving at an answer as to
whether her feminism or her liberalism should hold sway.
Down
in Gib, someone says a member of the Spanish Guardia Civíl fired on
him in British waters, when he was out on a pedalo or something. He
even claims to have a video of the event. The Guardia Civíl, on the
other hand, says it never happened and lambasts the British
government for giving credence to mere rumours. Now, the Spanish
public rates the GC higher than almost any other institution.
Admittedly, this isn't saying much, but it does put me in a
who-to-believe dilemma. I mean, would the GC really lie? I've always
found the Trafico officers to be scrupulously fair and honest. I'll
have to give it some thought.
Finally
. . . Before he died, I became a great fan of the comedian Bob Monkhouse. Well, he
went off quite a bit after that. One of my all time favourite lines
appeared in an article sent to me by an old New Orleans friend today
and here it is - "They laughed when I told them I wanted to be a
comedian. Well, they're not laughing now!" Click here and scroll
down to the end for more of his best one-liners.
Talking
of these . . . I also rather like this one from Odgen Nash:- You
are only young once but you can stay immature indefinitely.
I'm
reminded of a car ride with my elder daughter which developed into a
spat. After a while, she said "Well, how are we going to resolve
this? One of us needs to grow up and it sure as hell isn't going to
be you." She was that kind of daughter. Still is really.
Having
chosen which brand of new TV I wanted, I went to one of their 2
official distributors today to see what they had in stock. Only to
find it yet another victim of La Crísis. If the other one is
also closed, I guess I'll end up in either Carrefour's Hypermarket
(which I hate) or in El Corte Inglés. As the latter is in Vigo, I
think I'm justified in regarding it as out-of-town shopping. I walked
past yet another closure this morning - a florists - but this time
the place had been opened as yet herb&spice shop. But at
least/last I was able to get the coriander seeds I wanted.
Spanglish?
Or just plain robbery? Angela tiene muchos fans. On this
theme, my fellow blogger, Anthea, has come across Toppings
being used by ice-cream vendors in Sanxenxo. What's remarkable about
this is that it's being used in the way it is in English. In contrast
with spinning, lifting, picking, parking, footing, etc., etc.
Finally,
finally . . . Depression: No sooner do I cite the list
of famous depressives than El Mundo brings us an interview
with the man who plans to use brain implants for those of us who
don't respond to brain-changing chemicals but do to ECT. Log off now
if you've no interest. Otherwise, here's an interview with him. It's
a Google translation, as I'm out having Arroz con Bogavante
tonight. So you'll have to decide for yourself what the meaning is
when the computer comes over all 'Spanish':-
“Already
there are volunteers prepared to that we put electrodes to them to
improve its memory”
Andres
Lozano is one of the world pioneers in the use of deep brain
stimulation to treat various neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Although born in Seville, when he was only three he moved with his
family to Canada.
He
is 50 and he has lived there and is currently head of the Department
of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. After so many years
dedicated to neurosurgery, this scientist will continue to fascinate
the mysteries of the brain, many of you will know, thanks to new
research techniques.
What
more confident to further expand the knowledge of the brain, imaging
tests in genetics?
Many
times the great discoveries have been a matter of chance. For
example, when trying electrodes on a patient with obesity, found a
region capable of improving memory. When you go to a new site in the
brain, reveal new neural circuits and you can discover things you
never imagined.
Where
is the limit of brain stimulation? Can we treat anything with
electrodes?
All
psychiatric and neural circuits are altered brain base, but so have
the memory, joy, sadness, intelligence ... For example, we have two
volunteers willing to put them to improve your memory electrodes.
This is unethical today, but it is something that society is going to
have to raise, that kind of 'cosmetic neurosurgery'. Breast implants,
for example, a few years ago were reserved for cases of cancer while
surgery is now very common. Things change over time and in the case
of the brain that debate will have to face in the future.
Has
advanced knowledge of the brain much? How much we have to know?
We
do not know how memory works, what is the anatomical basis of
consciousness, how to write information to the brain ... There are
still quite mysterious things, many regions of the brain do not know
exactly what they are doing, why they have developed both in humans
compared to animals, where they reside more developed functions such
as empathy, ambition, justice ...
How
do the patients before they start trading your brain?
Keep
in mind that we do surgery for well-established diseases, such as
Parkinson's [already treated 100,000 patients worldwide]. When we go
to new targets, operate patients who have unsuccessfully tried all
kinds of treatments with diseases resistant to conventional
therapies, and are on the verge of death. They are very brave when
they agree to be the first in the world who put electrodes with a new
purpose.
After
50 years living in Canada, what is your relationship with Spain?
We
have several collaborations in Spain and Spanish doctors are coming
to Toronto to train in the art of deep brain stimulation, and this
surgery and is routinely used in hospitals to treat Parkinson
Spanish. However, its use in psychiatric disorders such as
depression, is less widespread here.
What
does the crisis from Toronto?
The
crisis in Spain is quite worrying because the investigation is not
advanced pace one would like due to lack of resources. But I think
you have to invest in this for several reasons, and one of them is
economic. For example, if you have a 30 year old patient with
depression, stuck at home without going out, drawing a pension, it is
costing the government money. However, if you manage to electrodes
turn this person into someone who is working and paying taxes ... I
think that even from the economic point of view, we must invest in
science.
Would
it have been you do in Spain what they do in Canada?
I
do not know if everything I do I could have done, but curiosity is
intrinsic, and I guess I had had anywhere. In Spain there are
scientists fantastic.