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[allana]

For madandy, although I'm sure others will find it interesting too.  I promised to scan this pic back in January, but completely forgot about it....



At the end of September 2004, Nature published a study in which scientists made ferrets watch the movie The Matrix.  Is your mind boggling yet?  I'll quote a little from the write-up this received in Scientific American (January 2005 issue).  In case anyone was wondering why on earth I bought a copy of SA... it's a good ploy when visiting new doctors to keep a journal obviously poking out of your handbag.  It lets them know that (a) you can read and (b) you might just see through their bullshit and (c) it makes me feel nostalgic for the days when I did worthwhile research.

1. Why did researchers make ferrets watch The Matrix?  Answer: Because there are some things that rats just won't do.
2.  Why did researchers make ferrets watch The Matrix?  Answer: Because if they had made ferrets watch The Matrix Reloaded, animal rights groups would have been storming the laboratory.  (God knows what would have happened if they'd made them watch The Matrix Revolutions!)
3.  Why did researchers make ferrets watch The Matrix?  Answer: To get a better handle on the nature of the perception of reality.

If anyone has mad urges to read about the actual subject of the research, you can find a press release here. 

As for me?  I haven't been made to watch The Matrix.  Although, I'd probably enjoy it a lot more than the ferrets would; it's one of the few films in which Keanu was sexy.  I've been trying to write but I think I've now read too many books and articles on writing; I feel quite intimidated when I set pen to paper or sit in front of my PC.  It's like I'm mentally redrafting whatever I write, even before I actually write down a sentence.  I hope it'll pass, otherwise I'll never get anything finished again.  Which would suck..
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Comments

[madandy.livejournal.com]

I have just spent nearly half an hour putting together a considered, if somewhat bitter rant in my journal. And the bloody thing has just eaten it - 'this journal is in read only mode'.

Bastard fuckwit bollocks wankers!

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

Eeeek! I usually find that the entry area saves text if you hit 'back' straight away. Sorry you lost everything :( *huge hugs*

Still - cute ferrets?

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to write but I think I've now read too many books and articles on writing

It does pass. One way I find useful in hastening it is to read stuff (especially published stuff) that gets me screaming, "JESUS FUCK I CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!"

(From the press release you linked to:) Curiously, this clandestine activity does not exist in the youngest brains, leading scientists to believe that the mysterious goings-on that absorb the majority of our minds are dedicated to subconsciously reprocessing our initial thoughts and experiences.

Well isn't that a total waste of brain power? Churning over stuff that's already happened? What's the point? I'm glad my computer doesn't while away 80% of its processing power doing that sort of thing. Hrumph.

(More from the press release:)This suggests that though the young ferrets are taking in and processing visual stimuli, they’re not processing the stimuli in a way that reflects reality.

Does this explain teenagers?

(Yet more:) Neurologists have long known that there is substantial activity in the brain, even in darkness

No surprise there; I get at least as much of the mental part of writing done in the dark as I do in the light.

But the real answer lies here:

Weliky discovered that while young ferrets displayed almost no patterns that correlated with visual reality, the adult ferrets’ brains were humming along, producing the patterns even though there was nothing to see.

Obviously these sexually mature ferrets were undressing Keanu in their heads and fucking him senseless.

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

It does pass. One way I find useful in hastening it is to read stuff (especially published stuff) that gets me screaming, "JESUS FUCK I CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!"

I'm trying that tactic just now; I've pulled a few awful cozies off the shelf and between that and some truly awful fanfic I read yesterday, I'm feeling better about my capabilities.

As for fucking Keanu senseless... I had a fleeting moment of that tonight, when he presented the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the BAFTAs. He looked positively edible! The ferrets have taste :D

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

Constantine opens on here next week (next month for you guys). I know you're not thrilled by the idea of Keanu playing Hellblazer's John Constantine, but...I'm still eager to go to the theater and experience a couple hours of hottiness. *nods* Way I see it is it no way can it possibly be as bad as the Matrix sequels even if it at the same time is in no way as good as Hellblazer.

I'm even more looking forward to A Scanner Darkly. No release date available on that one yet, though. *sigh*

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

Constantine is supposed to NOT suck. I guess I'll wait and see what you make of it... I couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for Elektra which could have been so good, but they ruined the character by removing the psychotic violence. Sigh.

Anyway, Keanu *nods* I haven't heard anything about A Scanner Darkly, will have to go and look that up.

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

The trailer for Constantine looked pretty good. Got Mark interested, too. More interested than for any of the other movies I want to see (The Wedding Date, Beyond the Sea, In Good Company, and A Series of Unfortunate Events).

A Scanner Darkly is animated, and the few stills I've seen look fantastic.

[feelforfaith.livejournal.com]

I did watch the first movie. I even enjoyed it. I also read a fic or two from that fandom ... *looks pointedly at rockfic* which I also enjoyed. Keanu has his moments :D.

*sigh* Stupid LJ comments. I can never remember how to write them correctly.