Dyslexia is a medical condition that affects
8 to 10 percent of people worldwide. It makes the reading
experience difficult, because when they read, they see a mirror
image appearing on top of the text on the page. A dyslexic
person has two dominant eyes that send two different streams of
information to the brain simultaneously, creating confusion and
mirror images that disturb the reading process.
Lexilight is a device
that aims at bringing relief to those who suffer from dyslexia.
It corrects the issue by enabling the brain to process the
information as if it came from the single dominant eye, using a
pulsed and modulated light that reduces the mirroring effect.
The specific light waves emitted by the LEDs in the lamp can be
customized to match the vision profile of each user. The device
can adjust several LED parameters, including the refresh rate,
to drive one eye to take precedence over the other to reduce the
mirroring effect.
Feb 3, 2020
Happy Friday
If you are going to
live, leave a legacy of happiness.
It will nourish generations, especially on Happy Fridays!
It will nourish generations, especially on Happy Fridays!
Perception of Time
The Roman Empire still existed when Johannes Gutenberg's work
on the first printing press was completed in 1440. The Roman
Empire was not dissolved until 1453. That was the year when the
Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the capital of the
Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire, just two years before the
mass production of the Gutenberg Bible began.
Queen Elizabeth has seen 13 different American presidents. She was crowned Queen in 1952, during the presidency of Harry Truman, the 33rd president. In addition, she has been alive for 16 presidents, since she was born in 1926, during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge.
The same year as Nintendo was founded; construction of the Eiffel Tower was finished in1889. The year Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo (originally as a playing card company) in Kyoto, Japan was1889.
People were still traveling the Oregon Trail and covered wagons were heading out west in the mid-nineteenth century, with the first major wagon train hitting the trail in 1843. That same year, a Scottish inventor named Alexander Bain received a patent for a machine he developed called an “Electric Printing Telegraph.” The machine was the direct predecessor of the fax machines that were staples of offices everywhere in the late twentieth century - and still are in the medical industry.
Queen Elizabeth has seen 13 different American presidents. She was crowned Queen in 1952, during the presidency of Harry Truman, the 33rd president. In addition, she has been alive for 16 presidents, since she was born in 1926, during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge.
The same year as Nintendo was founded; construction of the Eiffel Tower was finished in1889. The year Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo (originally as a playing card company) in Kyoto, Japan was1889.
People were still traveling the Oregon Trail and covered wagons were heading out west in the mid-nineteenth century, with the first major wagon train hitting the trail in 1843. That same year, a Scottish inventor named Alexander Bain received a patent for a machine he developed called an “Electric Printing Telegraph.” The machine was the direct predecessor of the fax machines that were staples of offices everywhere in the late twentieth century - and still are in the medical industry.
Australia is Moving
All of earth's tectonic plates are shifting, but
Australia’s is moving so quickly that it requires regular
updates to maps and GPS systems. It moved almost 5 feet between
1994 and 2016, according to National Geographic.
Origin of High Heals
High heels are so closely associated with women that one would
think they were invented for women, but high heels were created
for men.
The first high heels were made for male Persian soldiers back in the 10th century. The heel allowed them to lock their feet in their stirrups (the devices horse riders put their boots in) while riding. This improved their balance and accuracy when they wanted to shoot arrows or attack their opponent with some other weapon while on the move.
High heels reached Europe in the 17th century where they were adopted by the male aristocrats to make them appear taller and more intimidating. In one notable incident, King Louis XIV of France distributed high heeled shoes to the male members of his cabinet in 1673.
Women also began wearing high heel shoes during the 17th century. Women started wearing high heels, because it made their feet appear smaller. At the time, most women wore long skirts that reached their ankles. The high heeled shoes raised the mid and rear parts of their legs so that it was hidden under their skirts. Only the front part of their feet was visible, giving people the impression that they had smaller feet.
Male and female high heels slowly began to diverge as women made their heels thinner. Women also streamlined the front of their shoes so that they appeared smaller and pointy. Meanwhile, men maintained the original high heels with wide heels and flat fronts. Men dumped the high heel fashion during the 18th century, because it had become a feminine item.
The first high heels were made for male Persian soldiers back in the 10th century. The heel allowed them to lock their feet in their stirrups (the devices horse riders put their boots in) while riding. This improved their balance and accuracy when they wanted to shoot arrows or attack their opponent with some other weapon while on the move.
High heels reached Europe in the 17th century where they were adopted by the male aristocrats to make them appear taller and more intimidating. In one notable incident, King Louis XIV of France distributed high heeled shoes to the male members of his cabinet in 1673.
Women also began wearing high heel shoes during the 17th century. Women started wearing high heels, because it made their feet appear smaller. At the time, most women wore long skirts that reached their ankles. The high heeled shoes raised the mid and rear parts of their legs so that it was hidden under their skirts. Only the front part of their feet was visible, giving people the impression that they had smaller feet.
Male and female high heels slowly began to diverge as women made their heels thinner. Women also streamlined the front of their shoes so that they appeared smaller and pointy. Meanwhile, men maintained the original high heels with wide heels and flat fronts. Men dumped the high heel fashion during the 18th century, because it had become a feminine item.
Socialism vs. Communism vs. Fascism
People seem to be throwing out
these terms as though they are the same thing, but they are not.
Socialism is economic. It believes that the means of making, moving, and trading wealth should be owned or controlled by the government as a whole. In Marxist theory, socialism is the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism.
Communism is economic and one party government. Communism recognizes no religion.
Fascism is economic and government. Fascism is a form of authoritarian characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy. Fascists are against democracy.
None of the three offers more for doing more, so doing the minimum is the result. With all three there is no incentive to do better.
Socialism - from each according to his ability to each according to his contribution.
Communism - from each according to his ability to each according to his need.
Socialism and communism are founded on the idea of collective cooperation, but differ in that communists believe that cooperation should be run by a government made up of one political party (the elite that socialists decry).
Historically, fascist governments tend to be militaristic, and racist. Hitler was a fascist. Many scholars say fascism has historically attacked communism, parliamentary liberalism, and conservatism.
Socialism is economic. It believes that the means of making, moving, and trading wealth should be owned or controlled by the government as a whole. In Marxist theory, socialism is the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism.
Communism is economic and one party government. Communism recognizes no religion.
Fascism is economic and government. Fascism is a form of authoritarian characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy. Fascists are against democracy.
None of the three offers more for doing more, so doing the minimum is the result. With all three there is no incentive to do better.
Socialism - from each according to his ability to each according to his contribution.
Communism - from each according to his ability to each according to his need.
Socialism and communism are founded on the idea of collective cooperation, but differ in that communists believe that cooperation should be run by a government made up of one political party (the elite that socialists decry).
Historically, fascist governments tend to be militaristic, and racist. Hitler was a fascist. Many scholars say fascism has historically attacked communism, parliamentary liberalism, and conservatism.
Surveillance Cameras
One billion surveillance cameras will be deployed globally by
2021, according to data compiled by IHS Markit and first
reported by The Wall Street Journal. China’s installed base is
expected to rise to over 560 million cameras by 2021,
representing the largest share of surveillance devices installed
globally, with the US rising to around 85 million cameras. When
taking populations into account, China will continue to have
nearly the same ratio of cameras to citizens as the US.
In 2018, China had 350 million cameras installed for an estimated one camera for every 4.1 people. That compared to one for every 4.6 people in the US where 70 million cameras were installed. Taiwan was third in terms of penetration with one camera for every 5.5 citizens in 2018, followed by the UK and Ireland (1 to 6.5) and Singapore (1 to 7.1).
In 2018, China had 350 million cameras installed for an estimated one camera for every 4.1 people. That compared to one for every 4.6 people in the US where 70 million cameras were installed. Taiwan was third in terms of penetration with one camera for every 5.5 citizens in 2018, followed by the UK and Ireland (1 to 6.5) and Singapore (1 to 7.1).
Winter Weather Words
The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as having
strong winds greater than 35 mph, combined with heavy or blowing
snow to produce "very poor visibility." Visibility needs to be
under a quarter-mile to qualify as a blizzard.
NOR'EASTER
The swirling storms that typically bring heavy snow, rain, and coastal flooding to areas in the Northeast are known as "Nor'easters." The storms moving up the East Coast of the U.S. received their name, because their winds typically blow from the northeast, even though the storm is moving from southeast to northeast. That is because the winds are moving in a counter-clockwise around the area of low pressure.
BOMB CYCLONE
Winter storms that strengthen rapidly, including nor'easters, are dubbed "bomb cyclones." The term “bombogenesis” comes from mid-latitude storms that intensify rapidly, dropping 24 millibars (atmospheric pressure) over a 24-hour span, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A typical range in millibar change is around 10 to 15 in 24 hours. A bombogenesis storm can be tropical or non-tropical. “The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning.
SLEET
Sleet is known as a combination of a snowflake and water that is frozen, according to forecasters. One of the types of precipitation people commonly describe as "hail" is actually sleet. Sleet is ice pellets or granulates of frozen rain, and occurs when rain falls through air with temperatures below freezing, according to the NWS. While the raindrop is falling, if it goes through above-freezing air, it turns back into liquid-- until it refreezes before hitting the ground.
FREEZING RAIN
Freezing rain is defined as rain that falls and lands on a surface with a temperature that is below freezing, causing it to freeze on contact. The rain that falls and freezes eventually forms a coating of ice or glaze that can make walking or driving extremely difficult. A freeze may or may not be accompanied by a frost, which is the formation of ice crystals that develop when dew gathers in temperatures of at least 32 degrees. A flash freeze occurs when temperatures drop quickly below 32 degrees and cause a rapid freeze.
BLACK ICE
When there is a flash freeze, water on untreated surfaces can form "black ice." If the water present is very thin and on a surface such as black asphalt, it can be difficult to see. It can be extremely dangerous and very slippery.
SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS
The NWS counts snow showers as snow falling with varying intensity over brief periods, possibly accumulating. Snow squalls, however, are more intense snow showers and the most common. Brief, intense weather is typically accompanied by strong, gusty winds and may produce significant accumulations.
WIND CHILL AND ACCUWEATHER REALFEEL
In addition to temperatures on a thermometer, "wind chill" tells us how it feels outside. The NWS defines a wind chill index as the apparent temperature, plus the effect of falling temperatures and the rate of heat loss from a human body, caused by the wind.
"As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at a more accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature," according to the NWS. The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to more quickly cool the object to the current air temperature. The object will not cool below the actual air temperature.
NOR'EASTER
The swirling storms that typically bring heavy snow, rain, and coastal flooding to areas in the Northeast are known as "Nor'easters." The storms moving up the East Coast of the U.S. received their name, because their winds typically blow from the northeast, even though the storm is moving from southeast to northeast. That is because the winds are moving in a counter-clockwise around the area of low pressure.
BOMB CYCLONE
Winter storms that strengthen rapidly, including nor'easters, are dubbed "bomb cyclones." The term “bombogenesis” comes from mid-latitude storms that intensify rapidly, dropping 24 millibars (atmospheric pressure) over a 24-hour span, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A typical range in millibar change is around 10 to 15 in 24 hours. A bombogenesis storm can be tropical or non-tropical. “The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning.
SLEET
Sleet is known as a combination of a snowflake and water that is frozen, according to forecasters. One of the types of precipitation people commonly describe as "hail" is actually sleet. Sleet is ice pellets or granulates of frozen rain, and occurs when rain falls through air with temperatures below freezing, according to the NWS. While the raindrop is falling, if it goes through above-freezing air, it turns back into liquid-- until it refreezes before hitting the ground.
FREEZING RAIN
Freezing rain is defined as rain that falls and lands on a surface with a temperature that is below freezing, causing it to freeze on contact. The rain that falls and freezes eventually forms a coating of ice or glaze that can make walking or driving extremely difficult. A freeze may or may not be accompanied by a frost, which is the formation of ice crystals that develop when dew gathers in temperatures of at least 32 degrees. A flash freeze occurs when temperatures drop quickly below 32 degrees and cause a rapid freeze.
BLACK ICE
When there is a flash freeze, water on untreated surfaces can form "black ice." If the water present is very thin and on a surface such as black asphalt, it can be difficult to see. It can be extremely dangerous and very slippery.
SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS
The NWS counts snow showers as snow falling with varying intensity over brief periods, possibly accumulating. Snow squalls, however, are more intense snow showers and the most common. Brief, intense weather is typically accompanied by strong, gusty winds and may produce significant accumulations.
WIND CHILL AND ACCUWEATHER REALFEEL
In addition to temperatures on a thermometer, "wind chill" tells us how it feels outside. The NWS defines a wind chill index as the apparent temperature, plus the effect of falling temperatures and the rate of heat loss from a human body, caused by the wind.
"As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at a more accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature," according to the NWS. The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to more quickly cool the object to the current air temperature. The object will not cool below the actual air temperature.
Jan 24, 2020
Happy Friday
Happiness does not need
rules. It is unfettered by constraint.
I love to be unfettered, especially on a Happy Friday!
I love to be unfettered, especially on a Happy Friday!
Chatelaines, Handbags and Reticules
Handbags originated from the
loose, small bags or pouches people carried around centuries
ago. Clothes did not have pockets at the time and people created
the pouches to keep their money and other items them safe. The
pouches were often attached to a belt worn around the waist.
During the 16th century, women dumped the pouches for small pieces of metal called chatelaines. They hung their keys and sewing materials on the chatelaines, which were worn under their skirts. Women dumped the chatelaines for reticules in the 18th century. The reticules (also called indispensables) were drawstring handbags ; usually made of net, beading or brocade and used in 18th and 19th centuries.
The modern handbag appeared in the early 1900s. The name was coined from the hand held bags men carried around. Fashion designers of the day used the male handbags to create handbags for women. These feminine handbags had fasteners and were separated into compartments to make them more practical. The male handbag soon gave way to the female handbag.
During the 16th century, women dumped the pouches for small pieces of metal called chatelaines. They hung their keys and sewing materials on the chatelaines, which were worn under their skirts. Women dumped the chatelaines for reticules in the 18th century. The reticules (also called indispensables) were drawstring handbags ; usually made of net, beading or brocade and used in 18th and 19th centuries.
The modern handbag appeared in the early 1900s. The name was coined from the hand held bags men carried around. Fashion designers of the day used the male handbags to create handbags for women. These feminine handbags had fasteners and were separated into compartments to make them more practical. The male handbag soon gave way to the female handbag.
Metric Growing
Almost all of the more than 200 countries in the world use the
metric system when describing things like length or mass.
However, there are three countries that stand out: Liberia,
Myanmar (Burma), and the United States.
Soon, that number might be down to two. In 2018, Liberia commerce and industry minister Wilson Tarpeh said the government plans to adopt the metric system in order to promote accountability and transparency in trade.
Soon, that number might be down to two. In 2018, Liberia commerce and industry minister Wilson Tarpeh said the government plans to adopt the metric system in order to promote accountability and transparency in trade.
Exact World Population
As of 2019, the overall human population was
estimated to be more than 7.7 billion people. It had taken all
of human history until around 1800 for world population to reach
one billion, the second billion was achieved in 130 years
(1930), the third billion in 30 years (1960), the fourth billion
in 15 years (1974), and the fifth billion in only 13 years
(1987), six billion in 12 years (1999) and, seven billion in 12
years (2011). As of this morning world population was
7,756,548,011. Incidentally, the growth rate is declining.
To watch the increase in real time, you can see the World Population Clock web site, which shows as babies are born and other people die. You can also see the current populations of different countries, including China (1,436,000,000+), India (1,373,000,000+), and the U.S. (330,000,000+). Watch the numbers and you can see India has faster birth rate than China. LINK
To watch the increase in real time, you can see the World Population Clock web site, which shows as babies are born and other people die. You can also see the current populations of different countries, including China (1,436,000,000+), India (1,373,000,000+), and the U.S. (330,000,000+). Watch the numbers and you can see India has faster birth rate than China. LINK
Panda Facts
All Pandas in all the zoos around the world are owned by China
and loaned to the zoos. Male pandas do a handstand when
urinating, because when they pee on a tree, higher means more
dominance.
US Supreme Court Facts
Recently a presidential contender said he would
appoint Barack Obama to the Supreme Court. Obama is not a lawyer
and has never been a judge, so I looked up qualifications
required.
There are no explicit requirements in the U.S. Constitution for a person to be nominated to become a Supreme Court justice. No age, education, law degree, job experience, or citizenship rules exist.
To date, six justices have been foreign born; the most recent. The youngest associate justice ever appointed was Joseph Story, who was 32 years old when he joined the bench in 1811. Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who served from 1902 to 1932, retired at age 90, making him the oldest person ever to sit on the court. One thing every justice who has served shares in common is that all were lawyers (although not required) prior to joining the court. During the 18th and 19th centuries, before attending law school was standard practice, many future justices got their legal training by studying under a mentor.
James Byrnes, who served on the court from 1941 to 1942, was the last justice who did not attend law school or graduate from high school. He worked as a law clerk and later passed the bar exam. Justices are appointed for life but can be impeached.
Incidentally, during recent years, the court has received some 10,000 annual requests to review cases, but hears only about 80.
There are no explicit requirements in the U.S. Constitution for a person to be nominated to become a Supreme Court justice. No age, education, law degree, job experience, or citizenship rules exist.
To date, six justices have been foreign born; the most recent. The youngest associate justice ever appointed was Joseph Story, who was 32 years old when he joined the bench in 1811. Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who served from 1902 to 1932, retired at age 90, making him the oldest person ever to sit on the court. One thing every justice who has served shares in common is that all were lawyers (although not required) prior to joining the court. During the 18th and 19th centuries, before attending law school was standard practice, many future justices got their legal training by studying under a mentor.
James Byrnes, who served on the court from 1941 to 1942, was the last justice who did not attend law school or graduate from high school. He worked as a law clerk and later passed the bar exam. Justices are appointed for life but can be impeached.
Incidentally, during recent years, the court has received some 10,000 annual requests to review cases, but hears only about 80.
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