The "Anything" Blog

It Pays to be Pretty

"Good-Looking NFL Quarterbacks Get Paid More."

I was shocked to discover that there was such thing as facial recognition software that recognizes beauty. I thought beauty was in the eye of the beholder. Apparently the players with greater facial symmetry got paid more, and the not so good looking one's were at the bottom of the salary. Unconsciously, people do more than judge attractiveness when first meeting someone, they also form impressions and determine how good of a leader they are by interacting with them for just a few seconds, or by a quick glimpse at a photo. We are unaware when we judge people, but although unintentional, our impressions can make a huge impact.


Link: http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/science-of-small-talk/200812/it-pays-be-pretty

Altered States

Part 1: Drugs and Addiction

I believe that this drug vaccine will change the drug-world completely if it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This vaccine will help the millions of drug-addicted people all over the world, but especially in the west where drug use is particularly prevalent. Although it is not a preventative, even if one is addicted, taking this vaccine can reduce the uptake of the drug and reduce the high. This vaccine may also be the beginning of an immunization of addiction for children. Although the ethics of this are questionable, it is a start, and may save the lives of millions of teens. I believe that with time, drug use and addiction may be completely eliminated in years to come.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1701864,00.html

Part 2: Dreams

Once, I dreamed that I lived in the dinosaur ages. I was a cavewoman who had to fight dinosaurs, and kill them to eat. I was nearly killed by a tyrannasurus rex, but used my skills and defeated him by choking him with a rope made of leaves. My victory was short lived, however, when that night a terrible storm came through, killing every living thing, but myself. I did not know what to do, as there was nothing left. I starved for two days, then on the second day God came and told me I was the chosen one, born to rebuild earth. So from that day forward, replanted and the world was beautiful again.

Alyssa's Dream Interpreted: To see a lion in your dream, symbolizes great strength, aggression and power. You will overcome your emotions and/or difficulties. As king of the jungle, the lion also represents royalty, leadership, pride and domination.?You have much influence over others. You need to exercise some restraint in your own personal and social life.?

Elephant To see an elephant in your dream, indicates that you need to be more patient or more understanding of others. Or perhaps there is a memory that you are holding on to for too long. You need to let go of the past. The elephant is also a symbol of power, strength, faithfulness and intellect. Alternatively, the elephant's introverted personality may be a reflection of your own personality.
To dream that you are riding an elephant, indicates that you are in control of your unconscious and aspects that you once were afraid of.
To dream that you are attacked by a lion, indicates that you have many obstacles to overcome. You must resist the force that is driving you to self-destruction.

Part 3: Hypnosis
I did not feel anything with this hypnosis video.

Optical Illusions

Look for a few seconds at the cross in the center of the adjacent image pair.
Now move the mouse over the image and compare the change of the two new halves.
What to observe – Because of the blur on the left you will perceive high contrast, on the right less contrast. This lasts only for a few seconds, then it you see that the 2 halves are actually identical.
Here is the link: http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/lum_contrast-adapt/index.html

Optical Illusions Website

STRANGE TERRACE

http://www.optillusions.com/dp/1-32.htm

-I like this picture because it was interesting to look at and tricked your mind into thinking the terrace was on the ground, when in fact, when you look up, the terrace is looking down. So, it kind of goes both ways.

Fun with your Brain!

My Results

-I exhibit a balanced hemispheric dominance and a strong visual preference

- It is the intensity of my sensory preference that determines my learning style

-I absorb my environment, selt details and simultaneously embed them in a context, which adds nuances of meaning

-I am active and searching, which produces energy

-I can process multiple inputs comfortably, & do not experience the indecision of a person with mixed sensory preferences

-I am able to focus on more than one aspect of a situation and push for a resolution

-I can tolerate ambiguity, which is good as I will experience a lot of it in my input style

-I occasionally get impatient with myself, but will always be able to work through problems in a logical sequence, and will have other options available as well

-I have insufficent time to reflect on my experiences, therefore losing a sense of meaning, not appreciating my inner being as much as I would like

-I am constantly seeking stimulation, artisitic without needing to be odd, and active learner, and yet reasonably logical and disciplined

I agree that I am very visual and reflect on everything I take in, making them more meaningful. I also think I am always searching for more, making me more energetic. Although I agree that I can process multiple inpouts, I do not think I can do this for everything, only for certain things or situations. I also disagree that I am not indecisive, because I am. I always think things through before I do them. Yes, I am mostly always able to think of a resolution, but sometimes when there is too much going on I have to consider how everything else is affected before I can come up with a decision. I definitely get impatient with myself but am able to work through things logically. I do think I don't really understand my sense of meaning very well and wish I could appreciate myself more. I am always seeking new experiences and am very artistic, yet logical and very disciplined.

The Psychology of the Election

I believe that there will be change eventually, but it will not happen over night. I think people are set on the idea that it will happen immediately, but I think his ideas on change were really heightened to popularize him. If he did not exaggerate on some issues, some people may not have voted for him. He may surprise us, but we just have to wait and see.

Real Change?
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/erbe/2008/11/10/barack-obamas-change-more-of-the-same-democratic-tax-and-spend-ways.html

No Change in Obama presidency.
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2008/nov/no-change-obama-s-white-house