Feb 24

Semiconductor of the Week

Lead is a heavy metal with an atomic number of 82. Due to its density and malleability, lead is has a variety of uses ranging from bullets, to construction, to radiation shields. However, what it is most know for is its toxicity. Heavy metals such as lead are toxic to the nervous system and can cause brain and mental disorders. These problems are compounded when they involve children. Lead toxicity is thought to contribute to violent behavior, which is especially ironic due to its use in bullets. Lead can also be a detriment to the blood, kidneys, heart, reproductive system, and intestines. One of the common causes of exposure to lead is through old house paint. This exposure is common in poor neighborhoods, where people are unable to maintain their houses.  Other exposures include, occupational, air, water, and food. Lead is so toxic in fact that there is no known amount that is safe for the human body. Despite its toxicity people can't seem to stay away from it and it's use and poisonous effects have been seen for thousands of years across many cultures.

The mind is a tool: Use it.

I was tempted by a sign that said "test your brain" on the Lumosity website. Upon arrival I did a short quiz regarding daily and weekly habits that relate to brain health. I then proceeded to do some brain exercises, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite was a bird watching game where you had to look out into a nature scene and watch for a bird and a letter that would flash rapidly on the page. Then you would have to recall the letter and select the area of the screen that the bird appeared. It's a healthy competition that works to strengthen and sharpen the mind. While the computer allows for these fancy and alluring games, these types of games and exercises are all around us. In older traditions, meditation, mantra, and memorization would be used to sharpen one's abilities. In fact, the oral tradition demanded that traditions of all sorts be embedded into the very fabrics of our brains and beings. Traditions that use this sort of mental and sensual attention are being replaced by google and wikipedia and the like. As much of a benefit these tools are, there can be no replacing the work and gratification that comes from owning a particular set of knowledge. Whether it be from the ancients or modern science we can clearly gather that the brain is malleable and all of our activities and thoughts have an influence on its shaping.

So in order to shape my brain I went on to do the element quiz, which I thought was a good way to learn the symbols for the elements. The quiz was well designed and offered useful information when the answer was given correctly. For instance now when I say "nice mags!" I now know to what I am referring. Smart and cool.

My time on the computer increased as I became more and more addicted to playing on line games. As the elements disappeared with two clicks of the mouse  I was then on to playing the "balance equation" game. This proved to be my biggest challenge, as I had not yet achieved a firm grasp of the rules of the equations. Yet, bye and bye, and bye, and bye I got the hang of it. I fully endorse this web site, but watch the clock when your staying at a screen. Life is going on outside . .  .