Insights Into The -Other- Debilitating Sclerosis

ALS isn't MS but researchers at Northwestern University have recently discovered an important key that may lead to an eventual cure.

Again note the modifier may...

However, leaps like this are important enough for at the very least understanding the bio-mechanisms responsible for such elusive diseases.

Maybe the disease has no cure...but the finding will at least put neurologists on the right tracks.

--mattergy

Addendum 3:30P.M. PDT

By the way, I realize that the term sclerosis (scarring) applies to several conditions that are fairly debilitating...my intent was to highlight a recent discovery in neuroscience.

The Telescopic Mob-Mentality of the Non-Participant

I am usually loathe to comment on matters outside my personal experience, but as a person psychologically affected by the nonsensical ideas that permeate various corners of the globe, I feel I must comment.

I preface by quoting a line spoken by Kenneth Mars in the 1974 Mel Brooks spoof Young Frankenstein: "A riot is an ugly thing...and once you get one started,there is little chance of stopping it...short of bloodshed."

Obviously it is intended to be funny, (the line doesn't make much sense, even in American-English) but I think it makes perfect sense considering the subject...Mars' character is amidst a crowd of pitchfork- and torch-bearing Transylvanian villagers set to storm the castle of transplanted American surgeon Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) for crimes-unknown albeit -anticipated.

The humor is found in the ludicrousness of attempting to quell a mob in any sort of civilized fashion...despite any seemingly-rational authority projected.

Vis-a-vis the recent riots in the UK, I recommend intelligent analysis of this truth...in the UK, in Texas, in Tehran.

Once the mentality of a mob gets stirred, NO peaceful method of crowd-control will work.

A mob is an unreasoning animal...I think police-forces worldwide know (and fear) this deep-down... officers-of-the-law act as they are trained...so accusing these officers of anything is so lacking in intelligence it defies common sense.

--mattergy

Neutrophil/M.S. Relationship?

I'm neither a Neurologist, nor an Immunologist, but I am convinced that if there is a cure to be found for Multiple Sclerosis (and some forms of Diabetes and Meningitis), it lies in the study of the exact relationship between a type of white-blood-cell known as a Neutrophil and the human Spinal-Cord or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within during middle-maturity.

Why I believe this I can't rightly say, but I've been known to cause others to stumble onto truly ingenious ideas in my naivety...

--mattergy

Color Sensibility in Information-Rich Environments

Oddly, I felt more assaulted today by badly-contrasted layout on Wikipedia than any information itself.

And that's saying a lot.

The problem was actually intended to solicit new donors to Wikipedia...but failed IMHO...because of poor attention to the effect of color on distracting the audience...any audience.

I admit that I'm something of a color-snob when it comes to web-layout...but I would think that trained-professionals would know better than to blast readers eyes with the face of a person on a pure white background--even if the purpose was to solicit new donors to what I consider to be one of the most useful sites on the internet.

Take it from a former-professional: show your human-ken by first applying color-sensibility in web-layout.

--mattergy

Addendum 12:13 P.M. PDT
The issue was corrected before I could finish typing this entry...showing the effectiveness of the free-edited model. I should have known...but I hope the revision was made as result of aesthetic-sensibility...and not personal-preference.

TOO MUCH INFORMATION

A dear friend sent to me some joke-cartoons from various newspapers relating to the Western debt-crises of late and misinterpreted my response that said (effectively) DON'T SEND THIS TYPE OF JOKE TO ME, PLEASE...a response which read as meaning I had been offended.

To set the matter straight...I think I've become OVER-INFORMED about such things...I was NOT offended, but rather am physically sickened by the fact that the issues are so complex that they are beyond most people's understanding or control, yet the popular-media continues to pummel people with fear.

I've got a fairly good sense-of-humor...but some things TRIGGER ANXIETY in me rather than cause me to chuckle...I can't explain this in a sensible manner...even to my close personal friends.

It has something to do with having a near-genius I.Q. and having actual experience in both broadcast-media and investment-banking, I think.

:| mattergy

Language Hijacking

I realize that the economies of several countries are in sad shape, but when the very meaning of English phrases get bastardized out-of-context by people seeking to earn money...albeit honestly...I really get upset.

You see...I have a problem that would not be considered a problem at-all...by MOST people--but it is annoying.

The problem is having exceptional hearing in a world where near-deafness is becoming the rule for various reasons.

Type the words exceptional hearing into any search engine and you are presented with various links to sites aimed at people who have -trouble- hearing rather than anything having to do with really -good- hearing.

Now, I can appreciate that hearing-loss affects a good number of people...but I would think that the terms BAD hearing, TROUBLE hearing or HEARING-LOSS would more aptly apply to those search-results.

However the specter of self-serving product-sales has twisted the phrase exceptional hearing into a sales-pitch for hearing-aids rather than a pointer to what the phrase really means (i.e. my hearing is SO good, I can hear my upstairs neighbor and his girlfriend crunching on Rice Krispies while they are discussing the global-debt crises (which tells me that they weren't properly trained to forgo talking with food in their mouths).

Again, genuinely exceptional-hearing can be as disturbing as hearing-loss.

Anyhow, the point being that genuinely exceptional-hearing can be as disturbing as hearing-loss...but I have no way of searching for people experiencing this same problem of hearing -too- well because the term exceptional hearing HAS BEEN HIJACKED for the sake of selling hearing-aids to the near-deaf.

BTW: No disparagement intended--for those who have trouble with their hearing...I'm only trying to address a problem I can't explain to anybody...because the correct English phrase has been hijacked.

--mattergy