monkey brains repost

Everybody’s favorite psychiatric treatment, the modern lobotomy was the brainchild of Egas Moniz, a Portuguese doctor. Moniz believed that mental illnesses were generally caused by problems in the neurons of the frontal lobe, the part of the brain just behind the forehead. So when he heard about a monkey whose violent, feces-throwing urges had been curbed by cuts to the frontal lobe, Moniz was moved to try out the same thing with some of his patients. (The lobe-cutting, not the feces-throwing.) He believed the technique could cure insanity while leaving the rest of the patient’s mental function relatively normal, and his (admittedly fuzzy) research seemed to support that. The accolades flooded in, and (in one of the lower points in the Karolinska Institute’s history) Moniz was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1949.

After the lobotomy rage hit American shores, Dr. Walter Freeman took to traveling the country in his “lobotomobile” (no, really), performing the technique on everyone from catatonic schizophrenics to disaffected housewives. His road-ready procedure involved inserting a small ice pick into the brain through the eye socket and wiggling it around a bit. While some doctors thought he’d found a way to save hopeless cases from the horrors of life-long institutionalization, others noted that Freeman didn’t bother with sterile techniques, had no surgical training whatsoever, and tended to be a bit imprecise when describing his patients’ recovery. As the number of lobotomies increased, a major problem became apparent. The patients weren’t just calm; they were virtual zombies who scarcely responded to the world around them. Between that and the bad press lobotomies received in films and novels such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the treatment soon fell out of favor.

This article was written by Dan Greenberg, mental floss mag

graveyard/skatepark/playground?

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Receive public comments, identify location and direct staff to hire a surveyor for Shawnee Skate Park.

Community Development Director Mike Southard presented the four locations identified by the Site Design Group as possibilities for the skate park. After reviewing all four sites, they ranked KidSpace Park as the first preference followed by Boy Scout Park, Woodland Park and the Japanese Garden. The notable assets of KidSpace Park were the convenience of the central location and the bathroom facilities already on the premises. Mr. Southard did indicate that sound buffers would have to be included at this site due to the proximity to the cemetery.
In his presentation, Mr. Southard showed examples of the skate plaza concept, which includes trees and landscaping for a more park-like setting. The current plans call for the park to contain 10,000 square feet of skating surface within a 20,000 square foot area.
Several supporters, skaters and parents of skaters spoke in favor of the Kidspace location including, Jessie Genn, Jason Skillern, Brian Thompson, Damion Westbrook, Isaia Martin, Billy Brashears and Valorie Martin.
Commissioner Claybrook stated that he had initial concerns regarding this location due to its proximity to younger children playing at KidSpace Park. He had concerns that the skateboarders would attempt to use the playground equipment at KidSpace Park for skateboarding and prevent the younger children from using it.
Vice Mayor Peterson also expressed concern and stated that it would have to be made clear that there would be absolutely no skating allowed in KidSpace Park.
Responding to a question from Commissioner Schrzan, Mike Southard indicated that lighting the skate park was not being considered at this time.
A motion was made by Commissioner Schrzan, seconded by Commissioner Claybrook, to accept KidSpace Park as the location for the Shawnee Skate Park to be built and to direct staff to hire a surveyor. Motion carried.
AYE: Schrzan, Claybrok, O’Neal, Harden, Peterson, Downing
NAY: None

also,here's some stickers i picked up on ebay for a dollar.