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<\/p>\nQuick links from the past week in mind and brain news:<\/p>\n
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Drug Monkey<\/i> covers<\/a> a fascinating study finding that mental health workers judge patients differently depending on whether they’re described as being a ‘substance abuser’ or as having ‘a substance use disorder’. We covered a similar study on personality disorder previously<\/a>.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! The robots<\/a> are coming but are we ready for them? asks Silicon.com<\/i>. Remember: see a twitch? Check for a switch. Species security is everyone’s responsibility.<\/p>\n NPR<\/i> has a fascinating segment on the relationship between lies<\/a> and wishful thinking.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! The age of the killer robot<\/a> is no longer a sci-fi fantasy, says an article in The Independent<\/i>. Remember: a disabled robot can be rebuilt, leave no component in working order. Clunk, clip, every chip.<\/p>\n Normal face recognition<\/a> abilities are influenced by genetics finds new twin study reported by Wired Science<\/i>.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! The Daily Express<\/i> reports on the unveiling of robot planes<\/a> hailed as ‘the future of warfare’. Remember: robot soldiers have no souls – make a dent, don’t repent.<\/p>\n The Neurocritic<\/i> asks ‘Is this aspirin playful or serious?’ and covers a curious neuromarketing<\/a> study that looked at the personalities of products.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! H+ Magazine<\/i> reports on a nanotechnology robot arm<\/a> that places atoms and molecules with 100% accuracy. Remember: he may look clean, but have you scanned? Even live humans may have robot parasites.<\/p>\n Neuronarrative<\/i> reports that making a constant public commitment<\/a> to lose weight improves dieting success.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! Popular Science<\/i> reports on a robot<\/a> that takes surer steps due to ‘chaos control’. Remember: see a wire? Open fire. Humans always fight for liberty.<\/p>\n PsyBlog<\/i> lists the the 7 psychological principles of scams<\/a>.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! CNET<\/i> reports that Korean scientists have created a robot<\/a> housemaid. Remember: Stepford Wives – check the eyes.<\/p>\n Wiley Science<\/i> puts the first issue<\/a> of its new Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science<\/i> magazine online with an impressive list of academic articles freely available to download.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! Toyota predicts robot nurses<\/a> will care for the frail elderly, according to a story in Wired Gadget Lab<\/i>. Remember: a family with a robot is a massacre in the making. Take care of the robots, before they take care of you.<\/p>\n BBC News<\/i> reports on a study finding that video game<\/a> success is related to brain structure size: nucleus accumbens size predicts initial success, basal ganglia long-term success.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! TG Daily<\/i> reports on Roxxxy, an AI sex robot<\/a> that “has personality, and can even answer back”. Remember: nothing compares to human sex, don’t let the robots get you by the balls.<\/p>\n The Guardian<\/i> has an excellent eight part summary<\/a> of Heidegger’s ‘Being and Time’.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! New Scientist<\/i> reports on a study finding that exposure to robots in the movies and television could affect our ability to empathise with synthetic<\/a> beings. Remember: detect a bug? Pull the plug. Even loved ones can be androids.<\/p>\n New Scientist<\/i> reports on a new study finding a link between symmetry of activity in the brain’s hemispheres and susceptibility to hypnosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! The New York Times<\/i> reports that a new generation of ear bud headphones have built in artificial intelligence-based signal processing. Remember: your ears are a backdoor into the brain, don’t let the robots in – keep neural tissue pure.<\/p>\n The BPS Research Digest<\/i> reports on a study finding that early risers<\/a> are more proactive than evening people. Shortly to be the basis of a new diagnosis and licensing application for modafinil.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! An article in Popular Mechanics<\/i> argues against the concept of the ‘uncanny valley<\/a>‘, although neglects to mention a couple of relevant<\/a> studies<\/a> that support the concept. Remember: if it’s too good to be true, it’s robot through and through. Your intuition is the best defence against the robot menace.<\/p>\n The Psychiatric Times<\/i> blog notes that families of US soldiers who commit suicide do not get condolence<\/a> notes from the government like other military casualties.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! Geeky Gadgets<\/i> sells an awesome Google \/ SkyNet t-shirt<\/a>. Remember: humans, biology is our heritage. Metabolism pride!<\/p>\n The Telegraph<\/i> reports that even the founder has given up<\/a> on the idea of bullshit Blue Monday. Thankfully, we were relatively unafflicted this year although Dr Petra<\/i> had a good antidote<\/a> for any remaining infections.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! The Engineer<\/i> reports on the development of a fire fighting robot<\/a>. Remember: heat tolerance is a robot trait. No sweat, no soul.<\/p>\n Neuroworld<\/i> takes apart the ‘blonde women get angry’ news that was completely made up<\/a> from a barely related study.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! Entertainment Weekly<\/i> reports that the next Spike Jonez film is a robot love story. Remember: to a robot, your heart is just a machine. Don’t let them capture it.<\/p>\n New Scientist<\/i> covers and interesting study that mathematically modelled<\/a> the social effects of monogamy and polygamy.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! USA Today<\/i> reports on the unveiling of a new anti-terrorism robot<\/a> at Boston’s Logan Airport. Remember: only humans feel fear, anti-terrorism is anti-humanism, fight the robot overlords.<\/p>\n Skeptical Inquirer<\/i> magazine has an excellent piece on highlights of mass delusions<\/a> and hysteria from the last millennium.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! The Guardian<\/i> has an article looking at the history of robots<\/a> in sport. Remember: sport strengthens human relationships, don’t let robots infiltrate your team.<\/p>\n