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June 20, 2019  

‘Brain Wearables’ Are But Variations On ‘Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation’ (tDCS) Devices.

by Anura Guruge

Click image to access AXIOS original.

Click to ENLARGE.

Thanks to the popularity and success of fitness trackers and smartwatches — my Garmin MARQ Expedition an example — ‘wearables’ are trendy.

But, from what I can see, there are ‘wearables’ and then there are other ‘wearables’.

I would hate to equate these so called ‘brain wearables’ with a smartwatch or fitness tracker. To I there is a fundamental differences. Brain wearables are trying, via technology and some form of direct electromagnetic stimulation, to modify your behavior. A fitness tracker or smartwatch ONLY tries to ‘interfere’ with your behavior via motivation and/or shame. BIG difference.

I am familiar with tDCS technology. I have talked about it in my ‘Central Pain’ book. tDCS can work. But, with wearables the manufacturers have to be ULTRA cautious. They don’t want folks accidently frying their brains! So, they have to severely constrain the power output they deliver. And that is the crunch. tDCS, TMS or ECT administered under supervision can — and will — use significantly more juice. That in my opinion is what will cripple brain wearables. They will not be able to deliver adequate ‘juice’ to really make a difference.

Click to ENLARGE and read here.

So keep this in mind as you are reading about and evaluating brain wearables.

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by Anura Guruge

 

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June 3, 2019  

Sam Kean’s “The Disappearing Spoon” — One Heck Of A Mind Expanding Book.

by Anura Guruge

Click to access Amazon listing.

Click to access my post.

Click to access my post.

This is one heck of a book. I was going to say it was mind blowing, but that was, I realized, the wrong description. It is mind expanding. It is filled, chock-a-block with fascinating information and insights on every page. I learnt so much.

I already did two posts on subjects I learnt from this book: silver (and Argyria) & iodine.

I had never heard of him until this last March. Then, on a Sunday, on NPR, they read excerpts from his book “The Violinist’s Thumb“. I was hooked. I wanted to read the whole book. I went looking for it on Amazon and found all three of his books. As is my wont, when it comes to authors, I ordered all three.

I decided to start with the ‘Spoon‘ because I do have an affinity to elements.

Wow. I wish this book had been around 50-years ago when I was studying chemistry. I would have learnt so much more.

It should be a MUST READ for all high school kids doing chemistry. It will make chemistry that much more real.

Though well and amusingly written, it is NOT an easy book to read. It is technical and some of his very technical explanations are not as clearly explained by Sam. I ended up doing more research on my own.

If you like chemistry, do yourself a favor and read this book. It will enrich your life and expand your mind.

Sam Kean responded to this post on Twitter.

Click to ENLARGE. On my Twitter feed: @RealAnuraGuruge

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by Anura Guruge

May 2, 2019  

“Ready Brain” — A Great Website To Help You Keep Your Brain Stimulated.

by Anura Guruge

Click on image to access the ‘Ready Brain’ Website cum blog.

The creator of this fun & stimulating Website, Larry Mager, sent me an e-mail last week about his Website and how it came to be.

To quote Larry: “After being laid off from my teaching job several years ago, I was pretty low. I’d lost a job I loved, and didn’t know what I was going to do next.

But then a funny thing happened. My neighbor came to me desperate to find a tutor for her son. I offered my services as a temporary solution. Fast forward two years later and I’m running my own tutoring business and making progress with my mental fitness website, Readybrain.net.

I’ve never been happier, and I want to help those going through a tough spot in their careers feel like I do“.

I sure like what Larry is doing.

His premise is the same as my “A ‘Think’ A Day, Keeps Alzheimer’s At Bay” books. He even talks about it, on his home page, using terminology similar to what I advocate. So, yes, I am very happy and delighted to be able to promote this effort. Great job, Larry.

I like the Sudoku. I don’t know how to play Blackjack (and, alas, there are no instructions as yet) but it looks interesting. You definitely should explore this Website. You will find it rewarding.

 

Related posts:
Check Categories: ‘Brains‘ & ‘THINK‘.

by Anura Guruge

 

April 21, 2019  

My BIG, Very BIG — 471-Page — THINK Book — Now Available, Worldwide.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE and study. Link to Amazon below.

Link to Amazon LISTING for this BIG boy.

The family. The BIG book differs from the other two in that it contains 365 sample answers. That is what makes it SO big.

So, for those that have made fun of me that my book are are on a diet, and keep on getting skinnier and skinnier.

Well I fixed that with this book. A full 471-pages long and we are talking good size 7″x10″ pages (and not ones that are small).

Took me 18-months to write and proof it. The longest I have worked on a book — ever!

Yes, I wrote it BEFORE my other two THINK books, BUT the proofing was a bitch. So, I spun the other two out and continued labouring on the BIG book.

Well, it is out. A true labor of love.

Check it out. I will arrange for FREE eBook downloads after Easter.

Related posts:
Check Categories ‘Books’, ‘Brains‘ & ‘THINK‘.

by Anura Guruge

 

April 9, 2019  

‘Brainsway’, A Maker Of ‘Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation’ (TMS) Equipment, Filing For ‘Hail-Mary’ U.S. IPO.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE and read here. This from Fidelity.

Click for my post that talks about ‘Brainsway’ & TMS.

Stock performance in Tel Aviv.

Click to ENLARGE and goggle. 

I was researching the intriguing ‘Pinterest‘ IPO when this caught my eye. I knew exactly who they were. So, I had to do a bit of investigating.

Wow. Their stock performance in Israel has not been stellar — and that is saying it kindly.

I would NOT touch this U.S. IPO. The stock, in Israel, right now, seems to be on a downward trajectory.

Also seems a bit late in the day to do an U.S. IPO. They went public in Israel 12-years ago!

During ‘dot.com’ I did a ton of work for a number of Israeli high-tech companies. Great folks to work with, but I kind of learnt one thing. It is not easy for outsiders to make money in Israeli companies. Yes, of course, there are exceptions.

This one does not fill me with optimism. But, you can check it out.

Related Posts:
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Check Category ‘books’. 

by Anura Guruge

April 2, 2019  

‘The Road To Wellville’ By T.C. Boyle — Great Story, Brilliantly Told, But I Would Have Preferred Abridged Version!

by Anura Guruge

Click for Amazon listing.

I really can’t believe I said that. Abridge version! Coming from I. Yikes.

What can I say? A review printed on the back cover refers to the ‘bombastic language‘. They said that on the back cover. That about sums it up. I have been frequently accused of flowery, florid and dense writing. But, I think he takes this to extremes that even I would not dare. Shame, because it is such a great book, a wonderful FACTIONAL story. One that needs to be read — about Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of cornflake fame), his ostentatious Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan and his outrageous cures which included radium inhalation.

I have had this book for awhile and had wanted to read it for a long time. I knew a bit about Kellogg’s quackery and wanted to get a better picture. To be honest this book does not give you the full story of Kellogg. His early days and how he wrested control of the Sanitarium from the Seventh-Day Adventists is glossed over. But, still I learnt tremendous amount — most of it which made me shudder.

I would love to recommend this book to a few people — but, alas, they would not thank me for it! Though the story is compelling it is hard work reading the words. It is like trying to eat and digest dry cardboard. Shame. Hence, why I would like to see an abridged version. The story told in its essence with 40% of the bombastic words eradicated.

All that said, I liked it because the story had me enthralled. So … I have told you how I feel. You might still want to give it a try.

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by Anura Guruge

March 20, 2019  

Cracks Me Up When I Get A Royalty Cheque For TECHNOLOGY Books I Wrote 15 Years Ago!

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

Happens this time every year. It comes out of the blue.

I am NOT complaining. It is NOT a big check BUT it can keep me in wine for 2-weeks. That is better than a kick-in-the-teeth any day of the week.

If these were NOT technology books it wouldn’t crack me up at all. But, these are books that are now 60% out-of-date! Yes, some of the basic principles will still be the same but a lot of water flows under the bridge over the course of 15-years when it comes to technology.

These books have a ‘Look Inside‘ capability and people can return them. That I am still getting royalties mean that people must still find some value in them. That pleases me. These were good books when I wrote them.

I also got pretty decent advances on each of the books. So, I am pleased. I am smiling.

SMILE.

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Category ‘books’.

by Anura Guruge

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