playtherapist

Karma: 131

playtherapist 16 Jul 2011 15:10 UTC
0 points
in reply to: MixedNuts’s comment on: Enhanced brain connectivity in long-term meditation practitioners
Thanks for explaining that to me. It probably was two down votes in Main, as it showed up as ten points gone, and then another ten points gone shortly there after.

playtherapist 16 Jul 2011 11:55 UTC
2 points
on: Enhanced brain connectivity in long-term meditation practitioners
Some people voted this up, others down- currently it’s at −1. Somehow, though, I ended up with 22 less karma points then before I posted it and it was my first post in months. Initially I mistakenly posted it to “General” instead of “Discussion”. I moved it as soon as it was pointed out to me, at which point it had −1. I’m not upset, I have a thick skin, but I’m curious about how and why I lost 20 other karma points. Perhaps many people had already downloaded it when it was posted to “general” and voted it down? Either that, or one or more people went through my very old comments and posts down voting.

Sorry about the link being to a pay site, I still thought it was an interesting finding. I posted it without a discussion because I thought the abstract spoke for itself. Also, I’ve been told that I shouldn’t write a summary of what I link to.

playtherapist 19 May 2011 2:11 UTC
0 points
on: Homomorphic encryption and Bitcoin
Sounds brilliant to me. :)

playtherapist 17 May 2011 1:14 UTC
8 points
in reply to: David_Gerard’s comment on: [LINK] Two articles on Bitcoin
It’s a state, not a country, obviously- but until recently New Hampshire had not sale or income tax. The government was funded almost exclusively by real estate taxes and government run liquor stores.

playtherapist 1 May 2011 20:06 UTC
−1 points
in reply to: Cayenne’s comment on: Mitigating Social Awkwardness
I think watching people taking acting lessons must be a very good way to learn how to read others. Unfortunately, it’s not something that’s very convenient for most people to do. I think focusing in on the facial expressions and body language of good actresses and actors while watching movies, t.v., etc. would help, too.

playtherapist 1 May 2011 19:55 UTC
6 points
in reply to: Cayenne’s comment on: Mitigating Social Awkwardness
I’m atypical of people on this board, as some of you might know. I found it through my son, who fits the demographics much more. I’m a clinical social worker/ child therapist- thus my name “play therapist”. What I didn’t see mentioned, which I think is probably a more common problem than people not using the right body language to convey what they mean to, is not picking up on the body language, tone of facial expressions and tone of voice of people you are speaking to. I don’t have any easy answers about how to learn to read them, it’s something that is intuitive for most people. If you can learn to read people that way, though, it will be a huge help in social interactions. For example, when you say something and there is no response, there will usually be non-verbal cues as to whether you were heard.

playtherapist 26 Apr 2011 17:34 UTC
13 points
on: SIAI Fundraising
Employee compensation generally includes more than just salary- there’s the cost of the employers share of social security, health insurance and any other benefits. If these are included in the figures listed, then the employees salaries are considerably less. If the Singularity Institute isn’t providing health insurance, than buying individual policies is a major expense for the employees. The Bay Area is also one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S.

playtherapist 21 Apr 2011 0:54 UTC
1 point
in reply to: Alicorn’s comment on: Official Less Wrong Redesign: Call for Suggestions
In case you didn’t figure it out, I thought you were making a joke. As Jimmy pointed out, I don’t see “parent”, because I look at his history and don’t read the sequences. I have been corrected.

playtherapist 20 Apr 2011 20:47 UTC
−1 points
in reply to: Alicorn’s comment on: Official Less Wrong Redesign: Call for Suggestions
No, Alicorn. “Spy on son.”

playtherapist 20 Apr 2011 20:03 UTC
2 points
on: Official Less Wrong Redesign: Call for Suggestions
Often I’ll see that someone made a comment in response to what someone said as part of a discussion. If there’s an easy way to see what specifically they are responding to, without searching through the entire discussion, I haven’t found it. I know that one can also click on the name of the person being responded to, but if that person does a lot of posting, it can also be difficult to find that comment. A feature whereby one could click some where and be taken to the comment being responded to, in the context of the discussion would be helpful.

playtherapist 8 Apr 2011 22:51 UTC
0 points
in reply to: jimrandomh’s comment on: reply to benelliott about Popper issues
I like your attitude, son!

playtherapist 9 Feb 2011 19:04 UTC
0 points
in reply to: saturn’s comment on: Normal gut microbiota modulates brain development and behavior (at least in mice)
Interesting, I didn’t know that.

playtherapist 3 Feb 2011 1:56 UTC
0 points
in reply to: jimrandomh’s comment on: Normal gut microbiota modulates brain development and behavior (at least in mice)
I didn’t mention antibiotics, I said antibacterial products- I was referring to cleaners that kill all the bacteria on surfaces, thus altering what people are exposed to. Antibiotics do, also, alter the gut bacteria.

Yes, I am saying there may be links that the articles didn’t mention. It’s not just the higher activity level, but the increase in risky behavior.

Those are good points about effective calorie intake.

I would like to know how living in hermetically sealed environments have effected childrens’ brain development. I’ve never seen anything published about that.

playtherapist 2 Feb 2011 18:10 UTC
0 points
in reply to: gwern’s comment on: Normal gut microbiota modulates brain development and behavior (at least in mice)
The Science Daily report on the article http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201083928.htm states

″ The adult germ-free mice were observed to be more active and engaged in more ‘risky’ behavior than mice raised with normal microorganisms.”

That’s what made me think of ADHD, but I initially posted the link to the original research and the abstract doesn’t mention the risky behavior. Children with ADHD are more active and take more risks. I think that’s partially because many of them are less fearful and partially because they often act quickly, without thinking about consequences. Whether they are less anxious on average, I’m not sure. Often their difficulties focusing, poor social skills, etc. lead to negative consequences that can cause anxiety. The experiment was with mice, not humans- so it doesn’t necessarily apply the same way. I definitely think this is worth more research.

playtherapist 8 Jan 2011 20:05 UTC
2 points
on: Help: Neurochemistry question
I’m a clinical social worker/therapist and know a bit about bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia. My clients are all children and few have been given either diagnosis yet, although more will probably when they are older. I don’t think that we really know yet whether avoiding medication increases ones chances of actual schizophrenia. One article I recently read actually suggested that taking anti-psychotics long term might prevent one from making a full recovery after a psychotic episode.

I do know that you should avoid certain psychoactive substances, most of which are illegal (LSD, uppers, etc.) and heavy alcohol use. It is also best to try to avoid super stressful situations as much as you can.

It is my understanding that many people with bi-polar disorder (and schizophrenia) don’t like their medications because it makes them feel flat.

If you can get objective feedback from family or friends about your behavior in manic states it would be helpful for you to assess whether you should get treatment. You could ask them whether you are doing risky things? Are you so irritable/manic that you are antagonizing others?

My 2nd cousin once removed, Lizzie Simon has bi-polar disorder. She wrote a book, “Detour : My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D ” in which she writes about her own experiences and interviews with other individuals with bi-polar disorder. She was looking for individuals who were functioning well. Lizzie goes around the country lecturing about bi-polar disorder. You might want to check out the book or/and her website.

playtherapist 8 Jan 2011 19:44 UTC
2 points
in reply to: Douglas_Knight’s comment on: Help: Neurochemistry question
As a clinical social worker and a therapist, I can attest to the fact that if you want to bill an insurance company for therapy you have to label the patient/client with a DSM diagnosis. If one is paying a doctor themselves for medication, there probably is a bit more leeway.

playtherapist 1 Jan 2011 13:56 UTC
3 points
in reply to: Raemon’s comment on: Self Improvement—Broad vs Focused
You might want to consider substituting another kind of cheese for American. I suggest this for two reasons: 1- If you have to cut it, rather than having it presliced, you’ll be more mindful of how much you are eating it. 2- American cheese has more additives than other forms of cheese.

I, also, think the hummus suggestion is good. Keeping other healthy snack foods around might also be helpful- fruit, salsa, guacamole, carrot sticks or baby carrots and nuts.

playtherapist 31 Dec 2010 18:59 UTC
4 points
in reply to: jimrandomh’s comment on: Self Improvement—Broad vs Focused
Such good suggestions. Your mom must have done something right. :)

playtherapist 25 Dec 2010 18:30 UTC
0 points
in reply to: MBlume’s comment on: Newtonmas Meetup, 12/25/2010
Interesting post. I agree that disagreement is productive and necessary for an organization to be effective. I know, however, that there are ways of disagreeing in a diplomatic way that lead to others being more likely to listen. Learning to be diplomatic takes practice, desire and good social skills. Diplomacy and social skills can be learned. By my post, I was suggesting ways one can be more diplomatic when the menu isn’t to ones liking.

playtherapist 24 Dec 2010 13:46 UTC
0 points
in reply to: Kevin’s comment on: Newtonmas Meetup, 12/25/2010
You might have heightened expectations, but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect that much. I belong to several nonprofit organizations that have meet ups with food and ask for a donation or admission charge Often it is expected for participants to bring a dish, in addition to making a donation. If invitees don’t like the menu, they either usually bring something they do like tp share or don’t com. If they do complain,they generally do so more discreetly or put a positive spin on it. For example, they might praise the organizers for a job well done and say they think a dinner organized around such and such dish or catered by, or held at, such and such restaurant would be great for the next event.