December 30, 2004
Technology Year in Review 2004
Sometimes it is encouraging to look back at the accomplishments in technology over the past year. Here are a few links to some of the more popular end-of-year reviews.
Google Zeitgeist
Interactive Edition
Which according to Google is pulling together interesting search trends and patterns requires a combination of Google's human and computing power. Search statistics are automatically generated based on the millions of searches conducted on Google over a given period of time – weekly, monthly, and annually. With some help from humans, and a pigeon or two when they have time, these statistics and trends make their way from the depths of Google's hard drives to become the Google Zeitgeist report.
And finally for Psychiatry...
Best Hospitals of 2004 (Psychiatry)
US News & World Report
December 21, 2004
Technology (film), Myth (Lord of the Rings) and Diagnosis
Leave it to the BMJ to publish a diagnostic review of Smeagol aka Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Did he suffer from mental illness or was he just plain evil?
The authors from the Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London offer a case presentation on Gollum - complete with history, mental status and diagnostic considerations. It is entitled "A precious case from Middle Earth."
As part of their analysis of Gollum, they suggest that several differential diagnoses need to be considered, and we should exclude organic causes for his symptoms. A space occupying lesion such as a brain tumour is unlikely as his symptoms are long standing. Gollum's diet is extremely limited, consisting only of raw fish. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause irritability, delusions, and paranoia.
Schizophrenia seems a reasonable diagnosis. However, in the context of the culture at the time it is unlikely. Delusions are false, unshakeable beliefs, not in keeping with the patient's culture. In Middle Earth, the power of the ring is a reality. The passivity phenomena Gollum experiences are caused by the ring, and these symptoms occur in all ring bearers. Gollum does not fulfil the ICD-10 criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
The presence of two personalities, Gollum and Sméagol, raises the possibility of multiple personality disorder. In this diagnosis one personality is suppressed by the other and the two personalities are always unaware of each other's existence. In this case, Gollum and Sméagol occur together, have conversations simultaneously, and are aware of each other's existence.
Gollum displays pervasive maladaptive behaviour that has been present since childhood with a persistent disease course. His odd interests and spiteful behaviour have led to difficulty in forming friendships and have caused distress to others. He fulfils seven of the nine criteria for schizoid personality disorder (ICD F60.1), and, if we must label Gollum's problems, we believe that this is the most likely diagnosis.
The authors rule out addiction but they overlook the power of the Ring which seems to have an overwhelming influence on anyone who comes into contact with it. Other possibilities?
A perfect clinical debate for the holiday season.
December 13, 2004
Science Technology Quarterly
The latest Technology Quarterly from the Economist is great end-of-year reading. It offers interesting articles on various technologies that are important or noteworthy.
Some of the topics include:
There are many other articles to help you catch up on some of the latest thinking in tecnology for this year.
Ecomonist Technology Quarterly
December 02, 2004
Most Requested Word of 2004
Each year Merriam Webster calculates the most requested word from the most researched words on its websites. This year, it is a word that is not even in the dictionary - "blog. "
According to MW, blog is defined as "a website that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks."
Blog will be a new entry in the 2005 version of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. The complete list of words of the year is available at www.merriam-webster.com
Microsoft's Blogs
Also this week, interestingly enough, Microsoft has launched their foray into the world of blogs. Their entry into the consumer weblog market is called MSN Spaces. The blogging service lets users create an online journal, post photos and digital music lists. Users can establish different levels of visitor access, customize the blog with a choice of different backgrounds and layout templates and update the blog remotely via e-mail or mobile phone.
MSN Spaces also features integration with the MSN Messenger instant messaging service and with the MSN Hotmail Web mail service.
Article on Merriam-Webster's most requested word