The Hat Of Duns Scotus is an invention attributed to John Duns Scotus, a noted christian theologian and philosopher during the middle ages as well as the single largest influence on christian thought for decades. He wrote the book Treaties On Grammar, Logic, Metaphysics, postulating “univocity of being“, “the formal distinction” and the idea of “haecceity.”

These three concepts were meant to clarify that “things” do in fact exist, that it is possible to examine different aspects of the same “thing” and identify unique qualities that illustrate individual distinctiveness. Sound logic for a period of history known as the dark ages. Although historians generally disagree when this period began, some argue that the burning of the Alexandrian Library in the Fourth Century AD is one of its landmarks.

The cap often made of paper and used for public humiliation, expressed dim wittiness or stupidity, marked with a capital D. Somewhere along the line, its metaphysical meaning was lost. Perhaps it is a tool to funnel the cosmic energy to make one smart, much as the capstone of the pyramid serves as the point of manifestation from the invisible dimension to the seen world.

Although the geometrical model for a four sided pyramid is well known, its true meaning has been revealed only to a few, suggesting an esoteric significance associated with its function. Some mystical orders performed testing rituals and initiations in special chambers energized by the forces entering through the capstone, the power fracturing and enveloping all four corners at the foundation, opening portals into alternate dimensions. Whether that is true, not or just a crock remains to seen or experienced as one approaches the cosmic stream.

Those who understand the nature of the cap have also used the idea to invent interesting and new ways to adorn and care for the head such as this product called the Head Bath Cap advertised on Techeblog. Here is a chapeau that gives your head and your hair a good cleaning: “just place it over your skull and let water run within the boundaries of the cap onto your head, keeping the scalp water logged helping your hair grow faster and fuller by penetrating the pores in your scalp submerged beneath the trapped water.” Another variation of “go soak your head.”

Then there is The Shat (see below), a unique cap advertised by William Shatner (the Shat). It comes in different colors to reflect mood, Andorean Green, Romulan Red and Klingon Yellow. Now you too “can wear your feelings on your head.” Perhaps Mr. Shatner will don the red one after he finally sees the new Star Trek film and realizes that if Captain Kirk had not been killed off in Star Trek VII-Generations, he could have been in the current film. Now, the Shat will become just another variation of the cap of Duns Scotus, which is not latin for Scotty.

Assuming that it is possible to alter the effects of time, what use would a mirror have if not for seeing one’s personal reflection, a way to count the wrinkles and folds that spread across the face. Now, a new product called Safetox has been developed to effect the muscles that are the culprits of aging, “an electronic device that acts on the causes of lines at a cellular level, beneath the skin, the visible covering that conceals the structural dynamics, educating the cells at the rear of the head to open up and lift.”

Originally designed as a treatment for migraines, it fits on the skull, the main unit lying in the middle of the forehead. Studies were initially focused on measuring changes in the frequency and severity of headaches until an increasing number of subjects were reporting that wrinkles were disappearing. Scientists speculated “only high frequency electrical intensity has proven successful to act on the motor nerves that diminishes wrinkles.” Impulses produced by this device, they claim, favors an ionic change in the muscle fibers (an accumulation of extracellular K+ potassium) which eliminates any relaxation (sag) potential, rendering the muscle fibers “inexcitable.” The promotional website has a number of paragraphs in French and lists the cost in Eurodollars, 350, so it’s safe to assume Safetox comes from somewhere in France, Quebec or Haiti. It is sold in blue with no apparent wires batteries or moving parts. It can be used in conjunction with botox, face lifts and electrolysis. Although why would one need these invasive procedures if Safetox worked?

Perhaps not the fountain of youth long rumored to be in Florida, although people have claimed for centuries that magnetic fields could improve the cellular matrix of the body securing small flat magnets placed over the seven main centers of the body opted by those with a New Age background, along with crystals and pyramid power which comprise three of the primary energies of the great OM. The only mystery here is the formula determining the appropriate intensity of the magnetic fields needed to produce a substantial effect on aging.

The whirling dervishes practiced dancing around for centuries and in some instances claimed that this motion could rejuvenate the body and perhaps be  a way to alter the effects of gravity not only on the appearance, but also the internal organs and subatomic particles, extending life span. However it is still unclear which direction one has to whirl or the speed and control of the spin needed to get the desired effect, otherwise one may change their vibratory signature and accidentally move into an alternate quantum reality and not even know it, or simply get very dizzy and pass out.

My Percepto rating: F
A - Used by Spock Prime in the new Star Trek film
B - A tiara worthy of the prom queen or king
C - An Artifact from Kandor, the lost city of krypton
D - Something Olivia would wear on Fringe
D - A sure way to attract the Magneto
E - A decorative refrigerator magnet tied to the forehead with string

Tangled wires have always been the bane of my existence, a dresser drawer filled with an assortment of colored extension cords enough to give any self-respecting ‘appliance’ a headache. A plague lay-ed upon humanity and those with limited vision trying to figure out a new combination of outlets to use that twitters about an abode filled with junk. One circuit breaker plugged into another creating a mess of entangled cords, the inescapable reality of a modern technological society that has gifted our mortal soul chaos instead of order and a place for layers of dust.

One of the most frustrating wire thing’s has been earphones, assuming a confused form if looked at the wrong way, seeming to have a mind of their own, as if they intentionally mesh to irritate their owner. It’s a chore to remove all the knots before attaching them perhaps to a beloved iPod to listen to legally downloaded music, movies or TV programs for those fortunate to have purchased the collectors model, the 160 GB device, before it was discontinued by Apple. A proud addition to a diverse collection of artifacts also accumulating dust.

A solution has now been offered as an alternative to being all wired up. It’s the Zip It: YI Zipper Earphones, an intriguing Yanko design via Oh Gizmo and reviewed by Dvice: “The earphones were created by Ji Woong and features a zipper that lets you zip them up to eliminate cable knots with a convenient volume and hold feature in the zipper pull. The volume control is a small, rotating structure that enables you to adjust the volume, while the volume hold prevents unwanted controls in active conditions.”

According to Whacko, “the zipper teeth are made of plastic and the chord appears sealed in a fabric sleeve to which the zipper attaches.” Although most comments are favorable, it’s still in the developmental stage and no price has been mentioned, however manufacturers should take notice of this one since just about everyone has complained about a morass of wires, strongly suggesting the market exists with some minor modifications in design and function as long as the sound is good and it’s reasonably priced. The only remaining question is whether the Zip It:YI Zipper Earphones is a durable product or just a conversation piece.

My Percepto Rating: “No more wire Zippers!”

A: Zip it up
B: Down with metal zippers
C: Zip it sideways
D: Things can still get stuck with plastic teeth

Perhaps it will be known as the invention of the millennium, a fierce competition for a position in the pantheon of creations, one that rivals the claims documented in the literary classic Life From Death, My Scientific Journal by an obscure Bavarian scientist who’s very name evokes horror ⁽¹⁾. Developed at The University For Aerospace in Bremen Germany, it’s called The Human Regenerator , “a Quantum-Pulse-Device that imitates and generates the cellular body’s natural frequencies. The machine helps regenerate unsound cells, strengthens the immune system and enhances skin structure  by making use of the theories of quantum physics. The advanced magnetic rays from the life machine recharge the cells in the body with positive energy, using high end technology as a new and original solution to eliminating anxiety and promote well being.”

A hefty claim that costs $553,400.00, with an original design: a tube-like structure is entered by a person in need of the life energizing forces when it’s in a vertical position. Once the touch screen is activated, the machine moves horizontally, actually perpendicular to its original position before it begins the regeneration process.

This all sounds so familiar, as if it was written as part of a Star Trek episode, reminiscent of the amazing creation by the Vidiian civilization introduced in episode 14 (Faces) of Star Trek Voyager, with the federation ship lost in space, stranded in the delta quadrant for seven years until it found a stable wormhole that led directly to the alpha quadrant.

In a moving character driven episode, The Genetron - a medical device - essentially extracts all the Klingon DNA from chief engineer B’lanna Torres and reconstitutes them as pure Klingon and Human, separated at the cellular level, kind of like a transporter, but not. In a sensitive and well acted study, the emotional struggles of the hybrid Human/Klingon mix is sharply explored in painful detail, as each side, now independent, confronts the other, a case where one could literally argue with oneself, an allegory for the paradoxes of personality.

Technically, The Human Regenerator is careful not to make any claims to cure diseases or rejuvenate aging cells, neglecting to mention exactly how it makes use of the laws of Quantum Physics to this remarkable effect. In fact, neither does the Genetron. However, an advanced degree in particle physics should not be necessary to comprehend the basic principle of how The Human Regenerator regenerates, nor is it clear if any unusual Star Trek type sounds or colors are associated with the regeneration process.

For now, The Human Regenerator is available to the public only at the Talsie Spa of Jumeirah in Dubai’s famed Burj al Arab, but soon it will be available, perhaps by internet, sold by www.bornrich.org, a website that caters to the rich with disposable money.

My Percepto rating: Oh, for the financially obscure, there will always be, masks, eye firming creams and botox!

⁽¹⁾ Dr. Victor Frankenstein

Things disappear easily in unfamiliar surroundings as many thoughtful travelers have found. A night on the town leaving valuables unsecured is an all too familiar experience. A gold watch, 24 carat gold neck chain, platinum, diamond engraved dog tag or perhaps a gold thimble, brought to patch a rip or tear with a stitch or two in time for the paranoia to subside, asking repeatedly in peculiar doubt, “Why did I bring this stuff with me if I knew they wouldn’t be in a ’safe’ environment at the very same time detectives and criminologists continue working all over the world with scientists to develop new strategies to invent a fool proof safe.

For your consideration is a unique product, a bit basic and somewhat offensive and yet desperate times call for desperate measures, The Brief Safe, featured on Shomer-Tec.com, a site specializing in law enforcement & military equipment. The one aired here “ is an innovative ‘diversion’ safe that can secure your cash, documents, and other small valuables from inquisitive eyes and thieving hands, both at home and when you’re on the go. Items can be hidden right under their noses with these specially-designed briefs which contain a fly-accessed 4″ x 10″ secret compartment with Velcro closure and “special markings” on the appropriate areas.” Priced at $11 a pair, its unclear if it comes in designer brands or women’s wear.

Leave this item near the laundry bag as if it was going to be hand washed or in plain view of the washing machine, perhaps some detergent such as Tide or Wisk and a container of bleach to add the props, a milieu that make a convincing image. When traveling, a clear plastic bag in your suitcase for those business men who often use their frequent flyer miles will suffice. It will certainly cause some crooks to think twice before touching any of your personal valuables.  Made in the USA, one size presumably fits all, two tone white.

My Percepto rating: Hey, it’s disgusting, but anything that will bring thieves to a screeching halt, skidding on their own greed, needs a double take.

Although the Sub-Spacial Hologram sounds like a creation of Star Trek, displaced by a generation or two, in fact, it is not. Holographic images appear in three dimensions, a manipulation of the senses to perceive depth that binocular vision allows.

If the five senses could be fooled into believing that what isn’t there, is, then perhaps they can also be convinced that what is there, isn’t, using science to influence perception.

The concept of sub-space particles has encouraged thoughts of traveling to other planets and far away galaxies, made possible when Time and Space are no longer impeded by the constraints of speed.

The earliest pioneer of Astronautic Theory was Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky, a highly educated Russian rocket scientist born in 1857 and who died in 1935, living most of his life in a log cabin outside of Kaluga , near Moscow. He was the first to envision machines that could work entirely outside of Earth’s atmosphere, exposed to extreme conditions such as a vacuum, extra-terrestrial radiation, and temperature variations.

Inspired by the possibility of transcending all the impediments of survival in outer space, made feasible by Tsiolkovshy’s dream, Science Fiction flourished. The sub-space warp drive, a staple of Borg technology, assimilated from numerous species, became steeped in the realm of credible possibility, just one of the achievements projected into the Twenty-Fourth Century.

Now, a Japanese experimental device, The Sub-Spacial Communications Pod, takes a step into that future, first reported by Michael Keferi of  cscoutjapan.com “It’s claimed that the ‘Pod’ projects a 3D character hologram for users to interact and communicate without the need of special glasses. Users can interact physically with the hologram character such as blowing air and watching the character’s clothes move as if it’s the wind.”

According to reports, the pod will come with a “Physical transfer field that allows the user to purchase specially bar-coded cards with item information to be scanned into the characters, who can also eat, get fat, teach English and even give you news.”

My Percepto Rating: Three Of Two

A- Either it exists or it doesn’t
B- Now you see it, now you don’t
C- Can something exist, if I’m not there to see it?
D- The Sub-space trans-warp coil?
E- Three Of Two

Many concerns about a permanent tattoo have been expressed over the years, as reports of unregulated industrial ink being used has plagued the industry. Increased hepatitis and other physical evidence of damage to the liver, kidneys and pancreas are legitimate concerns documenting long term systemic effects of those permanent images upon the flesh, a fertile place to mark a symbol or emulate a story since the skin is the largest organ of the body.

The tattoo sleeve was meant to be an alternate way to present those colorful images especially close to your heart without the danger of ink, needles or lead laced  oils of unidentified sources as they are slowly absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, attaching to red blood cells  that circulate to all the organs of the body, past the Blood Brain Barrier into the white and gray matter disturbing the delicate balance of neuron, dendrite and synapse, effecting memory,  perception, reaction time and judgment.

Now we have a new concept for the  tattoo that makes the visual etching on skin’s surface a life saver  in nothing less than an ingenious advance in medical technology to monitor blood glucose levels an ever increasing problem in fast food societies.

Diabetes is  very difficult to manage. Exertion of energy and lifestyle effects the balance of the bodies metabolism often creating havoc with sugar levels. The best person to judge appropriate doses of medication  and frequencies is the patient, when properly trained about the disease and who are also alert to changes in there own body.

The Blood Sugar Monitoring-Nano Ink Tattoo, developed by Draper Laboratories, is focused on “glucose monitoring nano ink” applied once as a  small tattoo and changes color as glucose levels vary, “The nano ink particles are tiny, squishy spheres about 120 nanometers across. Inside the sphere are three parts: the glucose detecting molecule, a color-changing dye, and another molecule that mimics glucose. If the molecules   latch onto glucose mostly, the ink appears yellow. If glucose levels are low, the molecule merges onto the glucose mimic, turning the ink purple. A healthy level of sugar has a ‘funny orangey,’ color. The sampling process repeats itself, every few milliseconds.”

Although this all sounds like something that The Borg assimilated in its quest for perfection, its not. The concept of itty bitty robots circulating throughout the body is not new, the subject was first  portrayed in the 1966 science fiction classic Fantastic Voyage a sweeping special effects visual epic of shrunken humans traveling through  the human body in a nano-size submarine. It was written by Harry Kleiner, with a star studded cast including Steven Boyd, Edmond O’Brien, Donald Pleasance and Raquel Welsh in her second breakthrough performance in an emotion filled scene as she is attacked by White blood cells who regard her as an alien substance, as all hands on the deck were needed to remove them from her body before being squished to death.

I suppose “The Blood Sugar Monitoring-Nano Ink Tattoo” which comes only in a heart design at present could be adapted to some other useful symbol blissfully in a world of advanced technology, world peace, warp drive as assimilated beings using nano technology to answer  our most difficult  societal problems.

Although the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” may portend attitudes’ interpretation of the fates deem inevitable, it can also reflect fatalistic expectations of future events within a cosmic play seen from a skewed perspective, just a nebulous notion or delusional state, demarcating individualized affect that attributes its own meaning to what images are suggested by “control”.

If seeking domination of circumstances to impact a specific effect is sought despite infinite unanticipated external possibilities, then personal thought, balanced upon positive and negative experiences, impress the ironic futility to any such endeavor. Now technology has an input into this very notion.

A variety of products developed for the enlightened individual who wants to take charge of his/her environment has been explored by slashgear.com; a reservoir of unimaginable ideas made concrete for anyone to redefine their personal surroundings.

First there is the color coordinated, Control Your Man Or Women Remote Control. Pink for the men and dark gray for the women who have issues with their paramour and require additional prodding instead of spending thousand of dollars in counseling or legal fees sucked up by lawyers to win a divorce settlement. The remote control claims to get them to do what you want on a whim, without the hassle of free will, free speech or love potion #9, conjured in a burning cauldron of witches brew so eloquently memorialized by The Three in MacBeth, Act 1, Scene1: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air,” as an inspiration for the evil queen, stepmother of Snow White, as she transforms, a result of a dark potion,  into the ugly contorted witch in the sweeping 1940 animated epic Disney masterpiece Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, surrounded by thunder, swirling wind and lightning and the poisoned apple, cackling her narrative to the mesmerized gaze of children and adults sitting in the audience. Although not a new concept it does have a soundly presented atmospheric charm all its own.

“Press a button and it yells at your significant other to do the task of your choosing. Both remotes emit obnoxious noises. the pink one sounds boyish  while the dark gray, whiny and ‘girlish.’” One remote is priced at $17.95, while the set, an amazing steal at $29.95. Perhaps behavior modification reminiscent of Psychology 101, the classic Lab Rat experiments devised for the quest to find the biological basis of behavior can apply here, or not.

Atmosphere is also a worthy condition to exist by making all life possible especially in a party environment within an array of merging amino acids. Now there is a way to test, and yes, manipulate your surroundings, and the people who comprise its milieu. Another genius invention shown on slashgear.com. Its the Portable Voice Stress Analyzer, particularly made for the paranoid of heart. Trapped in an affair with numerous people, the voice stress analyzer is small enough to slip into your purse or briefcase and works “by measuring the tremors in the audio signal from the vocal cords. It then assesses how honest the people surrounding you are,” a consideration of note when attempting to cultivate a sense of intuition.  Advertised on nerdapproved.com for $58.40 “with an easy to read LED layout makes determining innocence or guilt quick, easy and unequivocal,  so you can falsely accuse and alienate anyone you want, anytime, anywhere.”

The final piece to this triad effectively designed for any diagnosed or undiagnosed control complex is The Sonic Nausea Gadget to make those around you feel queasy enough to leave. “Sonic Nausea is a small electronic device which can really ‘boom’ one’s stomach. It generates a unique combination of ultra-high frequency sound waves which soon leads most in its vicinity to queasiness. It can also cause headaches, intense irritation, sweating, imbalance, nausea, or even vomiting. The unique sound wave characteristics make directional source determination difficult.  Powered by one 9-volt battery (not included). For extended run time six AA batteries in a battery pack with transistor clips (available from most electronics stores) can be used instead.  Use with extreme (paranoid) discretion.” $29.00. This product is also advertised on shomer-tech.com, which specializes in law enforcement and military equipment.

All of these treasures are a  testament to whoever said, “Things always comes in three’s”

My Percepto Rating: Its a secret. See if you can cajole it outta me.

The current climate changes occurring on the planet raise many questions as scientists meet around the world to consider not only global warming, but also the effects of global dimming.

The loss of sunlight reaching the earth (dimming) has been documented in a recent episode of Nova, the highly respected PBS series. Statistics presented on the program recorded as early as 1957 were compared to 2008 data proving the phenomenon. There is no doubt that the cumulative effect of increased particles released into the atmosphere, by products of the industrial revolution, has resulted in global dimming, which some scientists believe has masked the speed of global warming.

The shift and loss of the Arctic glaciers has been the subject of much speculation for decades, none more eloquently portrayed than 1957’s prophetic The Deadly Mantis. It was directed by Nathan Juran from a screenplay by Martin Berkeley, and starred Craig Stevens, William Hopper and Alix Talton. It was filmed in black and white and runs for 79 minutes. “A sudden geologic shift in the Arctic frees a 200-feet-long prehistoric praying mantis from a glacier in which it had become frozen alive. A United States military outpost commanded by Col. Parkman (Stevens), becomes the center for investigation after the creature destroys a transport plane.”

Putting aside disbelief of the existence of giant prehistoric Mantises, consider what you already know about this creature. It is called “praying mantis” to depict its prayer-like stance rather than the way it stalks prey. Its closest relatives are termites and cockroaches, and it waits patiently to ambush other insects. The larger species feed on small lizards, frogs, birds, snakes and rodents. A master of camouflage, it can blend into the rich green color of surrounding foliage to better capture unsuspecting victims and it’s also well known for its sexual cannibalism by biting off the head of its mate during fertilization.

Imagine having one of your very own, now made possible by Fascinations. Its World Alive Praying Mantis Kit advertised on gadgetsandgizmos.com, “It’s a fantastic way to spend some time with a Praying Mantis, in your home or a classroom. This complete Praying Mantis Kit includes a net habitat, tweezers, instruction booklet (English, Spanish, French), feeding pipette and magnifying glass. Raising your own Praying Mantis is a fascinating view into the world of insects, with their complex life cycles and fascinating social structures.”

Although the eggs are not included in the kit, ordering instructions are included. “Eggs are shipped only within the United States and between the months of December and June. Egg orders received outside that period will be held until eggs are available. Praying Mantis normally live from one spring until the next fall, or 4-6 months.” All this for a mere $16.99.

My Percepto Rating : A, B, C, D, E and more.
A- That all depends on what you plan to feed it
B- A pet canary, “Polly want a cracker?”
C- Perhaps more effective than a cat to keep the mice away
D- An unfaithful mate
E- Misbehaving children?

for more info, click here: http://www.shopgadgetsandgizmos.com/product/15153/234/

One ironic moment in life happens when parents are faced with their teenage kids wanting tattoos inked on their young limbs with unregulated paint, often made with lead and used for industrial purposes. A place to pause, evoking a distant memory. Dismayed, gazing oddly at your children saying, “And what have you been smoking?”

Tattoos and the tale they tell, a recollection of your own youth, a “frame” story not unlike The Illustrated Man, an imaginative 1951 novel by Ray Bradbury. A mosaic of unrelated experiences connected only by the narrator, whose body is tattooed with their images.

Interesting descriptions, inspired by the novelist as science fiction, but it could also have been an opportunity for you, while younger, to tell your own narrative, one of the infinite sequences called life. Visualize yourself as a mythological character, defined by your hopes and fears, visual tableaux initiated by the imagination as a statement, in symbolic form. Perhaps a Trojan warrior, Jason of the Argonauts, or possibly the seven headed hydra protecting the golden fleece. The descent of Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Zeus, abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld, to become his queen depicted in glorious shades of red. This is an opportunity to be creative by letting your visual imagery soar in a flight of fancy to become an ink portrayal of the events that made you the person you are.

Now you or your children can do all this and more with no pain or needles, just an instant tattoo. It’s called the Tattoo Sleeve, and guess what, it comes as a pair. “They can Fool your family, amaze your friends or shock your boss with these fun novelty tattoo sleeves. Made from 100% nylon, simply slip it on for an instant and realistic looking tattoo.” The possibilities are endless, create your own design, then proudly wear it to assert your inner you. Current designs are Skull, Snake, Tiger, Eye Ball, each for £5.00 (English pounds). But why limit them? This is especially encouraging for those with an artistic flair, to explore the creative side or even impress a paramour. Easily washable, comes non lubricated.

My percepto rating: Trojan?

0- Tiny
1- small
2- normal
3- Large
4- Xtra Large