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Listening to Mozart Wont Make You Smarter

• Oct 05, 2010 from awesometastic1(Vacca Foeda Media) in Offbeat
  This myth was popularized by an experiment published in Nature in 1993 at the University of California at Irvine. In this study, they had 36 students listen to 10 minutes of Mozart before taking a spatial IQ test. Their claim was that this increased the spatial IQ score of the students by an average of about 8 points, due to increasing performance in specific types of spatial-temporal tasks.
  Specifically, in their study, Rauscher, Shaw, and Ky, gave participants one of three standard tests concerning abstract spatial reasoning. The subjects were exposed to three listening conditions: silence, non-Mozart relaxing music, and a sonata by Mozart. Using the Stanford-Binet IQ test, they claimed that listening to Mozart boosted the subjects spatial IQs temporarily by 8-9 points over the other two listening conditions.
  There are a few problems with how this got spun by the media. First, their claim was only that it seemed to increase subjects abilities in certain spatial-temporal tasks. They never said anything about increasing ability anywhere else or in a persons general IQ, as their study was only on the effects of Mozart on spatial-temporal reasoning. The media of course proceeded to blow these results out of proportion and say that this study showed that listening to Mozart makes you smarter in general, not just concerning spatial tasks.
  Yet another problem with the media and companys like Baby Geniuss portrayal of this is that the results only showed an increase in IQ for about 15 minutes. There is no research to date that shows listening to Mozart, or any other music, can boost IQ permanently (take THAT Baby Genius).
  Now to the problems with the actual study itself and their results. First, they used a very small sample-size in this study. That should instantly be the first warning flag that one should wait for further research on this issue before jumping to conclusions or taking the results as fact. When you are dealing with small sample-sizes, filtering out the noise from what is actually happening is impossible in most cases.
  With that in mind, it turns out, other researchers have had very little success in replicating the original results. Several research projects have run the exact same study, using the exact same methods and implementation of the experiment and found zero evidence of any Mozart Effect. However, a few others have found some evidence of a Mozart Effect. So whats going on here?
  One team of researchers in 1999, made up of Chistopher F. Chabris, Kenneth M. Steele et. al., concluded, concerning the mythical Mozart Effect, that any cognitive enhancement is small and does not reflect any change in IQ or reasoning ability in general, but instead derives entirely from performance on one specific type of cognitive task and has a simple neuropsychological explanation, called enjoyment arousal.
  Enjoyment arousal simply means that if you are enjoying yourself, to some extent, you will perform better at certain tasks you are given. On that note, another study showed that listening to Mozart only boosted performance in spatial-temporal tasks in those subjects who enjoy listening to Mozart, which would explain the seemingly random results various research projects have come up with concerning this issue. To further demonstrate that the cause was enjoyment arousal and not Mozart, the researchers read passages from Stephen King novels to the subjects while they performed their tasks. The subjects who enjoyed Stephen King novels, showed a boost in their ability to perform the tasks they were given at the same boost level as the Mozart Effect subjects. Those who did not enjoy Stephen King novels showed no boost, similar to those who did not enjoy Mozart music.
  Further research by William Forde Thompson, Gabriela Husain, and Glenn Schellenberg, in 2001, also backed up this claim. In their study, they had subjects rate their moods and energy levels while doing the specific spatial tasks. When listening to upbeat Mozart pieces, many of the subjects reported their mood and energy levels increased. Those students who reported that increase, also scored better during this time. They were also then tested with a more depressing piece of music playing. Not surprisingly, students moods and energy levels went down and so did their results. Once the results were calibrated with mood and energy levels, it was found that it was the mood and energy levels, not the music that was spurring the increased results. Thus, it would seem that the results are entirely based on whether the subject enjoys Mozart or whatever it is they are listening to while being tested, whether music, or simply someone reading a Steven King novel to them.
  So in the end, money spent on products like much of the Baby Genius line, or the like, by states and parents would be much better spent on music lessons for kids; there is a vast amount of research that conclusively shows music lessons, particular for kids (the younger the better), improves...

How to Keep Feces Out of Your Bloodstream (or Lose 10 Pounds in 14 Days)

• Sep 19, 2010 from timferriss in Lifestyle
  Ruh-roh. (Photo: Toby Otter)
  Following our Paleolithic ancestors, our Neolithic ancestors lost an average of six inches in height. Most people now have those last 5-10 pounds that seem impossible lose. The causes for both, surprisingly, may be the same.
  Robb Wolf can explain. Robb, a former research biochemist, has functioned as a review editor for the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism and is co-owner of NorCal Strength & Conditioning, one of the Mens Health top 30 gyms in America. Hes also a former California State Powerlifting Champion with a competition 565 lb. squat, 345 lb. bench, 565 lb. deadlift
  I have known of Robb for several years, but I only met him through a friend a week ago. Several weeks earlier, that same friend had sent me a copy of Robbs book, The Paleo Solution, which I ended up devouring in a few sittings. The chapters on digestion and improving digestion where particularly fascinating to me, and, for that reason, this post is a book excerpt. It details a particular problem and specific solutions. Enjoy.
  Enter Robb Wolf.
  A Common Problem
  Below I describe several people who at first glance appear different, but in fact they all share a common problem. They had significant health issues with no apparent cause or solution and assumed they had no treatment options, as their doctors were stumped and could offer few solutions.
  For you, this chapter may represent the missing link in your quest for improved performance and health.
  Alex, Age Five
  I first learned of Alex from my friend Kelly. She related a story of a little boy who was very sick, underweight, and suffering from constant digestive problems. If you like kids and other small, scurrying critters, Alexs features and symptoms were literally heartbreaking. He had painfully skinny arms and legs, attached seemingly at random to a torso dominated by a prominently distended belly. At night Alex thrashed and turned in his bed, wracked by diffuse pain in his arms, legs and, especially, his belly. Alex had severe lethargy and a failure to thrive. His doctors ran extensive tests but found nothing conclusive. They recommended a bland diet of toast, rice puddings, and yogurt, but with no benefit to the little guy.
  Kelly contacted me on behalf of the family and asked if I had any ideas that might help Alex. I made a few specific recommendations, which the parents enacted immediately. Within ten days, Alexs perpetually distended belly was flat and normal. He gained six pounds in a little over two weeks and was noticeably more muscular in the arms and legs. His sleep shifted from the thrashing, restless bouts that left him listless and tired, to the sleep all kids should have: restful, unbroken, and filled with dreams. Alexs energy improved to such a degree that the other kids and parents could hardly imagine he was the same kid. He was healthy and happy, all because of a simple adjustment he and his family made to his eating.
  Sally, Age Sixty-One
  Sally was referred to us by her family physician. Sallys doctor had worked with her on a variety of issues: low thyroid, osteoporosis, gall bladder problems, depression, and high blood pressure. It was an impressive and ever-growing list of ailments that both Sally and her doctor attributed to normal aging. Her doc was pretty forward thinking, however, in that she recommended that Sally perform weight bearing exercise to help slow the progression of the osteoporosis and muscle wasting that been accelerating in the past four to five years.
  When this recommendation brought Sally to us, she was a bit reluctant to get started with a strength-training program and was very reluctant to modify or change her nutrition. We were gentle but persistent.
  Our recommendations focused on specific changes to her nutrition and lifestyle. Within two months Sally was off her thyroid medications, her gall bladder issues were gone, she was four pants sizes smaller, while her symptoms of depression had disappeared. After six months of training with us and following our nutrition recommendations, it was discovered that she was no longer osteoporotic.
  Of all the improvements, Sallys doctor was most impressed with the increased bone density. She asked Sally what she had modified to affect this change. When Sally told her doctor how she had changed her nutrition, her doctor pondered things for a moment, then said, Well, it must be something else! Food cant do all that.
  Jorge, Age Forty
  Jorge started working with us primarily to lose weight. At five feet nine inches and 325 pounds, Jorge was heading down a path of significant illness stemming from type 2 diabetes and obesity. Compounding Jorges situation was a condition neither he nor his doctors could figure out. Nearly every time Jorge ate, he would break out in a rash and his tongue would swell. Like really swell. Jorge had to keep an epi-pen on his person at all times, similar to someone who has a severe allergy to bee stings or peanuts.
  Jorge is a practicing...

Madonna Talks "Hard Candy"

• May 19, 2008 from bluetar(Mark Paridy)
  Nothing can stop Madonna. In the same year that she was inducted to the Hall of Fame, she topped the Billboard charts with Hard Candy, her seventh number one in a row. Only Barbra Streisand has more. In the same year, her single, "4 Minutes" with Justin Timberlake, gave Madonna her 37th top 10 hit, the most of any modern artist.

Wow. If You Think Quitting Booze Freaks People Out, Wait Til You Quit Twitter

• Aug 27, 2010 from techcrunch(TechCrunch)
  I promise this is my last word on the subject.
  I had already promised myself, actually, that I wouldnt write any more about my decision to quit Facebook, Linkedin, Foursquare, Blippy, Yammer, Dopplr and every other social network other than Twitter. But then I added Twitter to the list deleting my 10,000 follower+ account and returning to more traditional blogging and suddenly all (social media) hell broke loose.
  For reasons I cant quite understand its not like Ive quit food or oxygen my inbox has since been flooded with emails. Some are just standard notes of congratulations for cutting the cord while others scream that Im a Luddite who doesnt get Twitter (by and large these are the same people who describe themselves as social media ninjas on their profiles: the modern day equivalent of those My other car is the Batmobile bumber stickers).
  The majority of messages, though, are from people who are strongly considering following my lead, but are worried that their body or mind might not be able to cope with the shock. How do I feel since quitting? Can I offer them any advice?
  The semi-amusing thing is, this isnt the first time Ive experienced this kind of email flood of congratulations, insults and pleas for guidance. It happened last October too: when I finally made the decision to quit drinking. Make of that what you will.
  The difference is that, back in October, I completely understood the tsunami of mail. Millions of people struggle with alcohol addiction and for those who do, its a serious problem. Any advice or encouragement could be the difference between life and death. Certainly it was for me.
  But giving up Twitter? Seriously? Are there really people who cant get out of bed in the morning without sending a 140 character update, just to stop their thumbs shaking from the night before? (The RT DTs?). Or addicts who surreptitiously tweet throughout the work day, from a phone hidden in their desk drawer, hoping that their workmates dont find out? People who are unable to stop at just one OH:, sending more and more before they blackout, ready to start the whole Bukowskian cycle again the next day?
  Judging by my inbox, the answer is yes, there are.
  But, unlike with drink, I dont feel their pain. In fact, giving up Twitter (and the rest) has been a veritable walk in the park. Ive barely suffered any withdrawal symptoms, I dont feel any sense of loss, and Ive certainly not found it any harder to enjoy parties or talk to women without a phone in my hand (and I say that as someone who not long ago started dating a flight attendant after I tweeted about her on a plane. Seriously: I had a problem.)
  I admit, though, it does feel odd. For more than two years Ive been accustomed to sending half a dozen tweets a day, whenever something even vaguely notable happened. Lunch with a friend? Tweet. See someone nearly get hit by a car? Tweet. Think of a funny (ish) joke? Tweet. Fight with a friend or loved-one? Cryptic tweet. Like a Japanese tourist compulsively photographing everything he sees, it was almost as if something didnt really happen unless it was captured in 140 characters and shared with the world.
  At a stroke, thats all changed. Now if I see someone nearly getting it by a car, my initial reaction is the same as before holy shit! someone just nearly got hit by a car! but that reaction remains inside my head. And yet, amazingly, even without my 140 character acts of vital citizen journalism the world has carried on turning. And what of jokes? Is my brain filling up with amusing observations and bons mots that, unless released, will cause it to haemorrhage? No. I just write them down in my notebook to be used later: an act which and this did surprise me gives me almost exactly the same satisfaction as sharing them with 10,000 followers.
  The only downside, really, is the occasionally jarring sense that something is missing from my enjoyment of an experience. An involuntary twitch as I reach for my phone and realise I dont do that any more. I imagine anyone who has quit smoking feels a similar way occasionally; particularly in postprandial or post-coital situations. But the feeling soon passes. Maybe I should start chewing gum?
  As for the benefits: theyve been both noticeable and persistent. For one thing Ive rediscovered the joy of making notes, and then refining those notes sharpening jokes and tweaking arguments, all using a pen and paper prior to publication. Ive also come to re-appreciate sharing thoughts with my actual friends taking the time to email or text or IM someone who I actually know in the real world, to share something I think they alone would enjoy or appreciate. Ive remembered what it feels like to laugh loudly at a joke without having to disrupt the flow of conversation for two minutes while I overhear it. Ive become closer to my real friends, and more distant from total strangers. Which seems like the right direction for things to be moving in.
  One of the other things Ive been...

SCVNGRs Secret Game Mechanics Playdeck

• Aug 25, 2010 from JayOatway(Jay Oatway) in *
  Some companies keep a playbook of product tips, tricks and trade secrets. Zynga has an internal playbook, for instance, that is a collection of concepts, techniques, know-how and best practices for developing successful and distinctive social games. Zyngas playbook has entered the realm of legend and was even the subject of a lawsuit.
  SCVNGR, which makes a mobile game with real-world challenges, has a playdeck. It is a deck of cards listing nearly 50 different game mechanics that can be mixed and matched to create the foundation for different types of games. Ive republished the accompanying document below, which should be interesting to anybody trying to inject a gaming dimension into their products.
  Rght now, that should be a lot of people. Every six months or so, a set of features sweeps across the Web and every site and app feels the pressure to adopt it. Weve seen this with social, geo, and now game mechanics. Of course, all games on the Web have some sort of game mechanicsthose elements of game play which make them fun and addictive. But game mechanics are spreading to all kinds of apps, most famously Foursquare (which makes you check into places for badges and rewards). At our Social Currency CrunchUp in July, we had a panel which explored how game mechanics are invading everything. (One of the CEOs on the panel was SCVNGRs Seth Priebatsch). Every site from Mint to the Huffington Post now has some sort of game mechanics.
  SVNGRs playdeck tries to break down the game mechanics into their constituent parts. Some elements are as basic as achievements, status, and virtual items. But there are also more complex ones such as the appointment dynamic (a player must return at a specific time and perform an action to get a reward, like in Farmville), free lunch (a player gets something because of the efforts of other people,like in Groupon), fun once, fun always (a simple action that maintains a minimum level of enjoyment no matter how many times you do it, like Foursquares check-ins), and cascading information theory (give out information in the smallest dribblets possible to keep players guessing and moving forward). SCVNGR employees are instructed to memorize the flash cards. Now you can too. There will be a quiz.
  SCVNGR Game Dynamics Playdeck
  
  Guide To This Document: This list is a collection of game dynamics terms, game dynamics theories that are interesting, useful and potentially applicable to your work here at SCVNGR. Many of them have clear applications within the SCVNGR game layer (progression dynamic, actualization), many of them dont yet (status, virtual items). Many of them are just interesting for your general education on game dynamics theory (epic meaning, social fabric of games). Many of these game dynamics concepts are well known and are sourced from all over the internet and from researchers such as Jane McGonigal, Ian Bogost and Jess Schell and articles on gamasutra (which I highly recommend reading). Others are used exclusively internally here and wont make any sense outside of HQ. Along with a link to this document, you will have received these dynamics in a set of flash cards. Please memorize those. If youre on the engineering / game-design team you can access our internal game dynamics visualizer (with the most up to date dynamics) through your account. Download the SCVNGR app for iPhone& Android (if you havent already) and start playing. Find places where these game dynamics exist or places where you could implement them by building on the game layer using our tools, or others.
  1. Achievement
  Definition: A virtual or physical representation of having accomplished something. These are often viewed as rewards in and of themselves.
  Example: a badge, a level, a reward, points, really anything defined as a reward can be a reward.
  2. Appointment Dynamic
  Definition: A dynamic in which to succeed, one must return at a predefined time to take some action. Appointment dynamics are often deeply related to interval based reward schedules or avoidance dyanmics.
  Example: Cafe World and Farmville where if you return at a set time to do something you get something good, and if you dont something bad happens.
  3. Avoidance
  Definition: The act of inducing player behavior not by giving a reward, but by not instituting a punishment. Produces consistent level of activity, timed around the schedule.
  Example: Press a lever every 30 seconds to not get shocked.
  4. Behavioral Contrast
  Definition: The theory defining how behavior can shift greatly based on changed expectations.
  Example: A monkey presses a lever and is given lettuce. The monkey is happy and continues to press the lever. Then it gets a grape one time. The monkey is delighted. The next time it presses the lever it gets lettuce again. Rather than being happy, as it was before, it goes ballistic throwing the lettuce at the experimenter. (In some experiments, a second monkey is placed in the cage, but tied to a rope so it cant access...