Category Archives: Technology

On the insinuation of bad intentions

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Lascap

Intentions matter. When assessing the merit or moral value of an action, we do not do so solely based on their outcomes, but take intentions into account. For instance, we consider it worse if someone breaks one cup in an attempt to … Continue reading →

Posted in Pet peeve, Psychology, Social commentary, Technology | 1 Comment

A primer on the neuroscience of happiness

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Lascap

The age old question of what makes for a happy life is of great interest to almost anyone who is in fact alive. A classic answer, building on Aristotelian notions of happiness, is provided by Charles Murray who points out … Continue reading →

Posted in In eigener Sache, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychology, Social commentary, Technology | 1 Comment

PSA: Your “sleep monitor” is probably anything but

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Lascap

As the “quantified self” (probably ill-named) movement gains steam, all kinds of apps that purport to measure important physiological parameters that are related to health gain popularity. In principle, this development is to be welcomed, as individual lifestyle and metabolism … Continue reading →

Posted in Data driven lifestyle, Optimization, Pet peeve, Social commentary, Technology | 7 Comments

Meet the netmonger – could it be you?

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Lascap

Netmongers (Excerpt from “Advice for a modern investigator”, chapter 5. Elsevier Press, 2011) The most striking observation regarding this category is that it was entirely absent in the 1898 edition of this book. Meanwhile, it has become by far the … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Social commentary, Technology | Leave a comment

A video says much more than a thousand words – rapid communication of scientific concepts via the “Podster”, a historic waystation towards a truly dynamic presentation surface

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Lascap

Background The efficient communication of complex scientific concepts at an academic conference poses a challenge that is as old as it is formidable. The use of dynamic visual stimuli and intricate experimental designs have exacerbated the problems associated with this … Continue reading →

Posted in Conference, Optimization, Science, Technology | Leave a comment

Evidence based medicine – IVF success rates and age

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Lascap

In recent years, “evidence based medicine” has become a popular buzzword in the medical community. More than anything, this just highlights the fact that most of medicine is precisely not sufficiently based on evidence, in sharp contrast to – for … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, Strategy, Technology | Leave a comment

Circadian synesthesia: Light therapy seen (heard?) in new light

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Lascap

Therapy with extremely bright light (10,000+ lux) has been known for a long time to bring about remarkably strong and – if done right – remarkably positive effects. It can “cure” Seasonal Affective Disorder (aptly named SAD), as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Neuroscience, Optimization, Psychology, Technology | 1 Comment

How physically taxing is SfN? Quite a bit!

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Lascap

Oh the daze of the post-SfN haze. If you did what I did, and feel like I feel, you can probably relate to this. The intensity of this particular pilgrimage is legendary. Having just come back from it, I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Conference, Data driven lifestyle, Optimization, Technology | 4 Comments

The arrival of truly mobile computing

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Lascap

There is a well established correlation between physical fitness and long term health outcomes. In particular, lack of activity seems to shorten lifespan while daily moderate activity seems to extend it dramatically. In other words, I don’t care how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Leave a comment