What If We Could Save Your Brain In the Future - What Would You Put It In, A Space Ship?

It seems scientists are getting somewhat close to being able to preserve a human brain, perhaps the first brain transplant may occur within the next several decades? But perhaps this won't be common, so many complications, ethical issues, and challenges of putting one brain into a different body. But if your own body is caput and your brain is fine, well that's just a real shame to waste a perfectly good brain if we don't have too, and I am certain that individual doesn't want to check out early due to a failing body, an accident, or some other challenge.

Now then if we can save the brain, what should we put it in? Providing of course that the brain can psychologically adapt to having lost its host, let's assume it can, humans seem to be able to adapt to all sorts of things right? Should we just download the brain and put that information and consciousness in the cloud - that would be like a digital heaven in a way I guess? Or should we put it into an incasing to protect it, and to give it mobility? How about mounting it into an exoskeleton-like android robot? We could do that too.

If the brain doesn't have the body to deal with, which is the weak link for so many things, then it could be mounted in a deep see submersible, on a UAV, or perhaps enclosed in a special case in a space ship thus, able to travel the galaxy? Maybe we could mount it inside a little unit low to the ground, something similar to a Romba with a docking port, the brain simple goes back to its docking port folds up the legs or wheels, or four-VTOL-rotorblade system and parks itself at the docking station. In this case it could be sent on the space ship and thus attached to the ship when docked?

Of course it might need an escape pod system in case the space ship crashes. The old fighter bomber aircraft, the F-111 had a neat escape pod system. We could make something like that only much smaller of course, as in a three-foot long system, with folding legs or wheels once it landed on the surface of something?

A couple of years ago I was discussing all this with an overseas acquaintance, and he mentioned that the human brain would need stimulus and desire to have something like its "traditional organic sensors" so that it could interact with its environment, and this would go a long way to helping it maintain a positive psychological displacement. If it was controlling a space ship, you wouldn't want it to get any Jihadist type ideas right?

Yes, huge issue, but before we start hiring a bunch of neuropsychologists to start speculating for some super salaries, let's remember they don't know the answers to these questions, and although I completely agree with you, we just don't know yet. The Chimpanzees seem to adapt when researchers have cut into their skulls and wired them up, although they probably aren't too happy about it, still they adapt.

A human while alive may apt for a new extended life within a space ship, just so it wouldn't die, remember self-preservation is a huge need, just as Maslow. Further, the volunteer for such a mission has to accept these challenges in the name of science. People have volunteered for all sorts of things in the past, for science, so you'd be surprised. Well, I hope you've enjoyed today's topic and future concepts dialogue? Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

The Samsung Galaxy S III Could Be the Best Android Phone Released in the US in 2012

It's easy to look at the specs for the SGS3 and wonder why anyone would need it. When you hear that a device has a dual core 1.5GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB ROM (expandable to 48GB) you'd think you were talking about a computer and not a phone. In reality you're speaking about both as phones are used less and less to actually speak to people as it is to communicate with people in a myriad of ways. Your phone now powers you to send text messages, pictures, videos, and connect with people all over the world in record speed. The pictures that you take aren't the same as they were when webcams became popular or even when digital cameras first launched. The 8MP sensor on the SGS3 enables you to capture pictures that will make you wonder why you'd want to ever carry around a traditional digital camera or camcorder.

While all of these hardware innovations sound great, the real place where this phone points to the future is in the software. Traditionally Android phone makers looked at only using a skin to differentiate their phone from others available on the market. Samsung has taken it a step further and integrated a lot of special apps to make their phones stand out. S Voice may not seem like anything special but the reality is that there are a lot of times when typing on your phone just isn't as quick as you'd like it to be. Instead of searching or setting appointments in your phone, you can have S Voice do it for you. While it's true that voice commands aren't anything new to Android no other manufacturer has brought it to the forefront of the device like Samsung is doing with the Galaxy S III. The phone also has the option to use its camera to check and see if you're looking at your phone to ensure that it doesn't turn off the screen even after it has timed out. These little things, along with the powerful hardware which make it happen is what is separating the Galaxy S III from other phones currently available and which will hit the market in the months to come.

There is another piece to what is making the Galaxy S III so successful and that is how it is following Apple's approach to device launches. Apple is well known for putting together great devices with great software and releasing them to people all around the world at the same time. Samsung is doing the same thing here and that will only make people want to buy the phone since they don't feel slighted by a company who releases in a few countries and then waits months to follow up in America. This points to the increased sway Samsung has developed with the phone carriers in the US. If the carriers didn't want to do it, they wouldn't as we've seen time and time again with other phones in the past.

The real question is if people who buy this phone and get stuck on a 24 month contract with their carrier will stay happy or will Apple's latest phone keep people on the sidelines until a side by side comparison can be done. No one knows when a new iPhone will be made available but the reality is that in the meantime Samsung will do everything in its power to get their phones in the hands of more people and away from their competitors whether it's LG, HTC or Apple.

Chance is the editor at http://www.all4glte.com/ which covers the latest in 4G LTE phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S III, tablets, and other devices which use 4G LTE connectivity in the United States.

What Could Be More American Than Celebrating the Birth of Jesus?

While as a Jew, I do not believe in the divinity of Jesus, as an American I acknowledge the pivotal importance that Jesus and his ministry played in the establishment of our great Republic. This is why I am proud to celebrate Christmas which is, after all, the celebration of the birth of a Jewish baby.

Jesus, in words attributed to him in the Gospel and confirmed with the establishment of his church by his followers, intended to carry forth to all of mankind the ethical and moral principles and precepts of the Torah. Those ethical and moral principles which, according to Jewish tradition were given by the Almighty to the children of Israel through their Prophet Moses at Mount Sinai, continue to guide our civilization, our nation, and our lives as individual citizens.

The Torah established a universal code of law that guides individuals and nations regarding proper and improper conduct and relations. The Torah set forth laws and ethical precepts that led to the abolition of slavery, the equality of women, the rules of war, private property, national sovereignty, and limited government.

The Torah described man as created in the image of the Almighty which is an idea that was eloquently advanced by Thomas Jefferson when he wrote, in the Declaration of Independence, that we are "endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This established the biblical principle that rights emanate from the creator and not from the state. This also established the uniqueness and the value of every human life. This confirmed that the proper role of government is to preserve, protect, and defend those inalienable rights as opposed to government as the origin of rights.

Jesus of Nazareth and his ministry brought the laws of the Torah to all of mankind. Jesus developed the idea of a personal relationship between the individual and the Almighty as opposed to a worship of idols which, in modern times, translates to a worship of the State. The modern regressive and anti-Christian socialist movements of Nazism and Communism sought to abolish the personal relationship between the individual and the Almighty as they attempted to replace that loyalty with that of worship of the State.

Jesus established the Judeo-Christian concept of a separation between church and state when he said: "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" It could be said that Jesus was the first individual in history when he stood up to the mighty authoritarian power of the Roman Empire. When Jesus stood up to Pontius Pilate, who represented the secular power of Rome, he inspired people to stand up to state power, to stand for that which is right. As a Jew, I honor the memory of Jesus, a fellow Jew. Rome would eventually follow Jesus and become Christian under the Emperor Constantine.

Thus, whether we are believers or not, religious or secular, we, as Americans, owe a profound debt of gratitude to Jesus and his teachings. America would not have its system of law, its institutions of freedom, its level of economic and cultural success had it not been for the influence and the guidance that emanated from the ministry of Jesus. Christmas, which is a recognized American Federal Holiday and which ought to be observed as such without any restrictions, should thus include reflections on the Judeo-Christian origins of our American system of government and should involve a national rededication to those principles.

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Annie Could Humble President Obama, and Republicans, Too

There's no place like New York City at Christmas time. The city is alive with the holiday season, the stores, the shops, the hotels, and the restaurants are beautifully decorated.

There's an air of optimism in New York City at this time of the year. A simple walk through Central Park or along Fifth Avenue can be magical.

Anyone who experiences the sing along with the Salvation Army Band at "21", or takes in a Broadway holiday show, comes away with Christmas memories for a lifetime.

Christmas in New York is a one of a kind encounter.

I came to understand this a few years ago, and still recall with great passion the Broadway musical Annie, starring 1977 Tony nominee Andrea McArdle, in the lead, as orphan "Annie."

The depression-era musical is about optimism and hope. It tells the story of billionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks who invites an orphan (Annie) to come to his Mansion for the Christmas holidays, and she quickly steals his heart. The play is about not giving up hope, and looking forward to tomorrow, despite the hard times of today.

The gap between the rich and poor, the have and have-nots, is a large symbol in Annie, and the answer to that chasm can be found in the play's uplifting signature song of eternal optimism, "Tomorrow."

There are parallels to Annie, and what we are experiencing today. As during the Great Depression, millions have lost their jobs, and their homes, and there seems to be no end in sight.

The country however has not lost hope, and sent a message to President Barrack Obama in the mid-term congressional elections. They do not like the direction he is taking the country, and voters are anxiously waiting to see how he responds.

The first test will be the congressional decision on income tax rates. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow at the White House between the President and congressional leaders from both parties to discuss the matter.

Voters have made it plain, they don't want tax increases on anyone; instead, they want government off their backs, and to spend less taxpayer money.

So far, President Obama continues on a theme of pitting the haves against the have-nots, but what is missing from his message is optimism and hope, or the idea that we are all in this together.

He seems focused on a message of "payback," that somehow those on the high end of the economic scale have received a break other folks have not, and instead of wanting to pull us together, he wants to punish those who are well off by raising their taxes (although he won't come out and say it like that).

There has been some talk of a compromise, but the issue is far from settled, and we are now heading into a new year with no idea what next year's tax rates will be.

Never mind that voters made themselves clear a few weeks ago. They do not want tax rates increased on anyone; for fear that it will result in a more difficult economic recovery, and a prolonged period of high unemployment.

In the musical Annie, Daddy Warbucks eventually takes Annie to Washington D.C. where she asks to meet with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Although Warbucks and the President do not agree politically, she brings them together, and begins to sing "Tomorrow," only to be quickly hushed from doing so by members of the President's Cabinet.

President Roosevelt intercedes, saying he wants the government to be optimistic during hard times, and he commands everyone, including Warbucks, and the Cabinet, to sing along with Annie.

No one expects President Obama to "sing along" with Republicans, but as in Annie, the country desperately wants a message of optimism and hope from this White House, too.

Annie saw the best sides of everyone, and despite a "Hard Knock Life," she held out for a better "Tomorrow." Her message humbled President Roosevelt, and the billionaire Warbucks, too, and the country ultimately benefited.

Hopefully, President Obama will see things the same way.

Robb Austin is a former newspaper reporter and elected Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and has successfully run numerous Congressional campaigns. Learn more at http://robbaustin.com/.

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How Pelosi's determination could hamper Obama - Washington Post

Just when President Obama thought he had all the problems he could handle, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi might have handed him another.

Pelosi stunned many Democrats on Friday with the announcement that she will run for leader of the new Democratic minority in the House. If her colleagues and the smart money in Washington thought she would retreat and resign after the Democrats' 60-seat loss Tuesday, Pelosi reminded them that she didn't become the first female speaker in history through timidity.

The question is whether she has significantly complicated life for Obama as he prepares to deal with the Republican majority in the House and Senate Republicans led by someone who spent the week hurling thunderbolts at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. From outside reports, the White House was conflicted about whether it wanted her to stay or go, torn between loyalty to the speaker for all she did during the past two years and its own political needs in the wake of Tuesday's loss.

Pelosi would be a symbol of resistance and liberal opposition to the Republicans. If Obama wants a House leader who will help draw bright lines of distinction with the new House majority, Pelosi could be exactly the right person to lead House Democrats. If he wants more room to maneuver, to make deals with Republicans as well as confront them, she might not be at all what he wants.

Memories are short in Washington, which is why there was such widespread expectation that Pelosi would resign. Former Republican speaker Newt Gingrich stepped down days after his party's embarrassing performance in the 1998 midterms (though the party did not lose its majority). Former Republican speaker J. Dennis Hastert decided not to seek a leadership position after his party lost the majority four years ago and later quit Congress entirely.

For Pelosi, who might have looked further back in the history books, the role model could be Sam Rayburn, the legendary Democratic speaker from Texas. Rayburn's party lost its majority in the 1946 midterms but he stayed on, running successfully for minority leader - although he never liked the term.

Rayburn's persistence was rewarded when Harry S. Truman's 1948 campaign against the "do-nothing" 80th Congress not only resulted in the president's unexpected victory but the election of a Democratic majority in the House to boot.

Pelosi might not believe House Democrats will return to the majority that quickly, but she sounds determined to defend what has happened on her watch.

If Rayburn was one of the strongest speakers in history, Pelosi is the strongest of modern times. Fighting the kind of prejudice that all women in politics face, she emerged as a shrewd, savvy and, above all, tough-minded speaker. Under her leadership, the House passed historic legislation and accumulated a record of significant productivity. Without her political skills, Obama would not be able to count health care as one of his achievements.

The other side of the story is that Pelosi became as polarizing a figure as there was in Washington - much more than Obama. The health-care law has divided the country and come to symbolize Democratic overreach. She pushed House Democrats to pass the cap-and-trade energy bill, and many paid the price.

By Election Day, her image was upside down, with 29 percent viewing her favorably and 58 percent unfavorably. Only among liberal Democrats did her image hold up during the four years she has been speaker. Among all other groups - Republicans, independents, moderate and conservative Democrats - her numbers declined.

Republicans made Pelosi their favorite target in campaign commercials this fall, and Democrats who used her did so to make the point that they would keep their distance and independence if the voters rewarded them with another term. Most of them lost anyway.

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Alaska Senate race could be 'highest stakes spelling bee' - CNN International

Sen. Lisa Murkowski thanks supporters Tuesday in Anchorage. It's unclear if she will be heading back to Washington next year.Votes for write-in candidates outnumbered those for Joe Miller and Scott McAdamsSen. Lisa Murkowski is one of 161 eligible write-in candidates"Lisa Murkowski has no claim on a victory," Miller campaign saysAlaska's count of write-in votes expected to begin next week in Senate race

(CNN) -- An unyielding and exuberant Sen. Lisa Murkowski thanked her supporters on election night as she appeared headed to a once-improbable victory in Alaska's Senate contest.

Just two months ago, the incumbent Republican conceded her party's primary to little-known Tea Party-backed Joe Miller. Shortly after, Murkowski dove into the middle of Republican infighting by launching a write-in bid to retain her seat.

Party leaders criticized her decision. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who endorsed Miller, called Murkowski's revived campaign "a futile effort on her part." The last U.S. senator to win on a write-in campaign was Strom Thurmond in 1954.

"They said it couldn't be done," Murkowski told CNN as the results came in late Tuesday. "We looked at that, and we said if it can be done anywhere, it can be done in Alaska, and let's prove the rest of the country wrong."

Aware of the intricacies of a write-in win, Murkowski cautioned that "we're not done yet. There's still a lot out more there; we know that."

The votes for write-in candidates outnumbered those for both Miller and Scott McAdams, the Democratic candidate.

But the outcome of the general election might not be known for days because officials need to determine which write-in votes actually went to Murkowski.

She was one of 161 people who filed the paperwork necessary to qualify as a write-in candidate, according to the Alaska Division of Elections.

As of Wednesday night, with 78 percent of precincts reporting, the write-in candidates were leading the pack with 41 percent of the vote. Miller had 34 percent, and McAdams trailed with 24 percent.

CNN has projected that the Democratic candidate will finish in third place but has not yet called the race for Murkowski or Miller.

Despite Murkowski's excitement, Miller's campaign remained optimistic Wednesday, saying, "This campaign is not over!"

"Previous write-in campaigns in Alaska have demonstrated that as much as 5 [percent] to 6 percent of returned ballots have not met the standard to be counted as a valid vote," the campaign said in a statement.

"Candidates who mount a write-in campaign opt for an uphill battle. At this point, without a single write-in ballot counted, Lisa Murkowski has no claim on a victory."

Another fellow Alaskan running as a write-in is Lisa M. Lackey, whose presence on the ballot may complicate things for Murkowski.

Under state law, for a write-in vote to be valid, the name written on the ballot must match the name as it is listed on the write-in candidate's declaration of candidacy. In Murkowski's case, the law requires her supporters to write "Lisa Murkowski" or "Murkowski" for the vote to be counted.

However, in the event a voter misspells or abbreviates a candidate's name, such as "Lisa M." instead of "Lisa Murkowski," the Division of Elections would determine the voter's intent "on a case-by-case basis," according to division director Gail Fenumiai.

With two potential "Lisa M's" as write-in candidates, determining the intent of a voter who writes in "Lisa M." on his or her ballot would be much more difficult.

Matt Felling, an anchor for KTVA-TV in Anchorage, said the race could prove to be the "highest stakes spelling bee in American political history."

"Now we are going to find out how many people can put nine letters together that somewhat resemble Murkowski," he told CNN.

Miller's campaign blasted the Division of Elections' standards as "extraordinarily ambiguous."

On election nights, the Division of Elections tabulates the total number of write-in votes cast -- not a breakdown by candidate.

The Division of Elections only calculates the number of write-in votes for specific candidates if the total number of write-in votes cast is more than the number of votes received for any candidate, or if the total number of write-in votes comes in a close second to the top vote-getter.

Before the Division of Elections can start tabulating the write-in votes for specific candidates, all of the ballots cast have to be counted, including absentee ballots, early votes and questioned ballots.

The lieutenant governor's office and the Division of Elections plan to count all absentee ballots next Tuesday and move on to the hand count of the write-in votes the following day. The count of the write-in ballots is expected to take about three days.

The count was moved up from the original date of November 18 to provide election results in "a timely manner," according to Renee Limoge, spokeswoman for Alaska Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell.

With a victory, Murkowski would avenge her August primary loss to Miller in the latest chapter of a feud with his main backers and her long-standing tension with Palin.

Murkowski was first appointed to her post by her father, then-Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2002. Palin defeated him in the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary.

CNN's Drew Griffin, Jason Hanna and Robert Yoon contributed to this report.

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Winds could reach 60 mph in Metro Detroit today - The Detroit News

Last Updated: October 26. 2010 7:27AM

An intense, low-pressure system is moving through the Midwest bringing the threat of thunderstorms and wind gusts of more than 60 mph.

A tornado watch also is in effect until noon in West Michigan as the system moves east through the state and the Great Lakes region, said Steve Considine, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service reporting station in White Lake Township.

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The weather service has issued a high-wind warning for southeastern Michigan that is in effect from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today as winds are expected to steadily build into the 30-40 mph range with the stronger gusts in the afternoon.

"I suspect there will be tornado watches throughout the state as the system moves through," Considine said. "It is a really strong storm system."

A low-pressure system that developed in the High Plains and Rockies and pushed along by a strong jet stream is bringing the wind and colder temperatures, weather service meteorologist Matt Mosteiko said.

Thunderstorms are expected to come with system, he said.

"It is somewhat unusual for this time of the year," Mosteiko said of the system. "It is pretty deep. We aren't the only ones who will feel it. It will go into Indiana and Ohio."

And although today's high temperature is expected to be 70 degrees and 67 degrees on Wednesday, the colder temperatures should hit Thursday and dip into the 50s for highs.

sesparza@detnews.com

(313) 222-2320

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Midterm Races Could Hold Key to White House, Congress in 2012 - Fox News

President Obama's name is not on the ballot Nov. 2, but his chance at a second term in the White House could be on the line. 

As the president and top Democratic surrogates like Bill Clinton criss-cross the country to campaign for their party's gubernatorial candidates, party operatives are looking ahead to what this year's race will mean for 2012. 

And so far, it's not looking good for Democrats. 

Several peculiarities in the 2010 landscape could have great bearing on the next election. For starters, Republicans are projected to pick up several seats in the 37 governors' races being held next Tuesday. That could give whoever is running as the GOP presidential nominee in 2012 a powerful surrogate at the helm of a number of key swing states. 

In addition, this year's governors' races coincide with the 2010 Census, the national head count that will be used as the basis for reshaping congressional districts nationwide. The governors, by virtue of their veto pen and other factors, have considerable sway over that process -- and if Republicans make the kind of gains forecasters predict, the party will be poised to redraw the congressional map to their advantage come 2012. This would help the party either build, or reinforce, a congressional majority two years from now, while having a more indirect impact on the presidential race. 

Finally, projections show that when the districts are redrawn, red states will likely end up gaining seats in Congress while blue states will lose them. For Obama, this means a more grueling and challenging climb to the 270 electors needed to secure reelection in 2012 -- the number of electors each state has is based on the number of its congressional seats, and if deep-red states like Texas grow, that's bad news for the sitting president. 

"The states that are going to gain congressional seats are the ones that John McCain won," said David Avella, executive director of Republican recruitment arm GOPAC. 

All these factors are on the minds of Republicans who, in some cases, are plotting a two-cycle path to Washington domination. The Republican Governors Association publicly claims that its races in 2010 are the key to a 2012 wave. 

"The RGA believes Republicans won't win back the U.S. Senate, House or presidency until first reclaiming a majority of governorships for the GOP," the group says on its website. 

Democratic governors provided Obama a big boost in the 2008 presidential election in several battleground states -- Democrats were at the helm of nearly every "purple" state Obama won, from Colorado to Virginia to Ohio to Iowa. 

But what if some of those seats change hands? Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland was an enthusiastic advocate for Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, but now he's fighting for his political life against GOP candidate John Kasich. Republican gubernatorial candidates are poised to take back Democratic seats in Obama-supporting Pennsylvania, Iowa and Michigan, among other states. The storied battleground of Florida is still a toss-up in the race between Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink. 

Avella said the outcomes play heavily into the 2012 presidential race. 

"The governor controls the political machinery for his party," he said. He said Republican governors will be able to leverage fundraising networks in support of the GOP nominee as well as shape legislative agendas that could rally Republican voters in the next cycle. 

Plus, most of the new governors -- as well as the state legislatures -- will have sway over the redistricting process, one of the biggest prizes to come out of the Nov. 2 midterms. 

"That's why the governor's (seat) is so important at this particular time" said Jerry Shuster, political communication professor at the University of Pittsburgh. "It's a critical time for both parties and they know that." 

Governors can help shape congressional districts for the benefit of their party's incumbents and challengers; for Republicans, this would mean upping their chances at a congressional takeover in 2012 if they fall short next month. This process also can have an indirect effect on the presidential race. Avella noted that a boost in the number of Republican-friendly congressional districts could give more momentum to GOP candidates, and in turn rally more GOP operatives and money to turn out the vote for the presidential nominee. 

While Obama would not have to worry in most states about the shape of congressional districts -- presidential electors are divvied up based on the popular vote in each state -- the individual districts come into play in Maine and Nebraska. Those two states have a hybrid system where the votes in each congressional district factor into which presidential candidate wins their electors. 

More importantly, a study released at the end of September showed that blue states stand to lose about a half-dozen districts while red states stand to scoop up about that many as a result of the redistricting process. 

The analysis from Election Data Services projected that Texas, a GOP stronghold, would gain a whopping four congressional districts. New York, a Democratic powerhouse, would lose two, according to the data. 

Shuster said the impact of those shifts on the White House race depends on a host of factors. If the economy starts to turn around, it's a "limited" issue, he said. But if Republicans field a strong candidate and the economy stagnates for another two years, "then it has the possibility of having an impact on the outcome of the election."

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