Philosophy
If there is one thing most of us think is private, it's our thoughts. And the only time we tend to be okay with our private thoughts being heard by anyone would be when we silently pray.
If you happen to work with an MRI machine, however, you probably know that if there is anyone who can read your thoughts, it's that machine. So, before you have to use one, recite this prayer (and mean it... you can't fool it):
Via the Neuroskeptic blog.
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Philosophy
The Scanner's Prayer
If there is one thing most of us think is private, it's our thoughts. And the only time we tend to be okay with our private thoughts being heard by anyone would be when we silently pray.If you happen to work with an MRI machine, however, you probably know that if there is anyone who can read your thoughts, it's that machine. So, before you have to use one, recite this prayer (and mean it... you can't fool it):
Our scanner, which art from Siemens,
Hallowed be thy coils.
Thy data come;
Thy scans be done;
In grey matter as it is in white matter.
Give us this day our daily blobs.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass onto our scan slots.
And lead us not into the magnet room carrying a pair of scissors,
But deliver us from volunteers who can?t keep their heads still.
For thine is the magnet,
The gradients,
And the headcoil,
For ever and ever (at least until we can afford a 7T).
Amen.
.
- Love And Lust
Springtime, when thoughts supposedly turn to love. Or something close, at least. What is the relationship -- if any -- between romantic love and lust? Are they completely unrelated? Does one always accompany the other? Does one tend to lead to the other?...
- Electing God
So, apparently it is not just an election to determine who gets to be President, it's an election to determine who gets to be God: Unhelpful for establishing the tone McCain sought in Davenport was the Rev. Arnold Conrad, past pastor of the Grace...
- Bernstein And Silence
Discussed one Berstein quotation earlier in the week, but this one really gets me."Stillness is our most intense mode of action. It is in our moments of deep quiet that is born every idea, emotion, and drive which we eventually honor with the name of...
- Unhate
Contrary to what the majority of people all over the world believe, I'm pretty sure this is the only life we will ever know. To some, that is a depressing prospect, and an indication of the futility and meaninglessness of human existence. To me, however,...
- Tim Minchin - Thank You God
Plenty of religious believers believe in God because they've had some personal experience of a 'miracle'; that is to say, they've been confronted with something that (in their own minds at least) could not have happened by any natural...