On June 2007 Society for Nuclear Medicine meeting in Washington a Tübingen and Tennessee group showed brain images taken with a new kind of dual brain scanner combining positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) scanners developed by Siemens. PET scanners provide images of function and biochemistry whereas MR scanners typically are set up to show the anatomy of the brain. A combined system will allow for easier answering questions like what is happening where in the brain. The dual scanner is in line with a tendency towards big machine hybrid technology in hospitals, e.g., the PET and CT combination already widely sprawls in cancer diagnostics. The PET/MR machine should probably be considered as the presently most powerful apparatus for examining the human mind.

Press release from conference: Simultaneous MR/PET for Brain Imaging: First Patient Scans.

On a E3 press conference in July Nintendo announced the “Wii Balance Board” – a controller device for the Nitendo Wii game console which is used for an “extensive array of fun and dynamic activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games”, and “turns the living room into a fitness center for the whole family”

From “Sarcactic Gamer” we have found this tv commercial with an alternative sound track:

" (..) Standing in one place has never been more fun than with Nintendo Wii Fit. Find out today why people all over the world think they are getting exercise with that little white thing you stand on (...).

“Instead of having your kids go outside to play and get exercise, why not having them stand right in front of the TV? (...)”

(via Motion-Online.dk)

I am about to enter a new target group. Gone are the student days and the .com era with the Curt Cobain inspired “stubble look”. Today, in the role as a 30-something year old bureaucrat, a daily shave is kind of mandatory. As a natural consequence I am looking for the tool that will make my day. And there you have it. I am entering a new stereotyped segment - and becoming a happy victim of marketing. So when Braun is launching a new & fancy electric shaver I received a “ping” on my radar.

The new baby is called Braun “Pulsonic”. After living a secret life in the German section of braun.com (and on a YouTube review from December 2006) the company is now launching its new product to the rest of the world. Doing marketing through the official Braun website, on some YouTube videoes and on a new "Pulsonic Blogger Resource".

The Braun “Pulsonic” is loaded with technologies that are promised to deliver an efficient yet gentle shave. Most important is a “sonic motor” (hence the name), which should make you skin ripple (“10,000 micro-vibrations per minute”) to help nail those tricky hairs and reduce skin irritation. The machine can be cleaned under the water tab, or with the “Clean & Review” washing machine. I kind of like the look of the product. Good sci-fi inspired industrial design (with chrome and rubber and stuff), which I prefer over the old school look of Brauns previous models, which haven’t really changed much over the last 10+ years. And oh, it has received the "Energy Star" qualification, which is good to know if you prefer things that consume power.

Not sure if I am ever going to be a genuine electric shaver geek. Very much doubt I will ever feel the same enthusiasm about grooming instrument (or toothbrushes) as I feel about computer hardware, software or bicycles. But maybe I am getting there. In my research I came across a few sites with people who really put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into this topic in the spirit of machine culture:

ShavingStuff.com
Hommegrooming
Gizmodo's “Lab Rat” test of Pulsonic
Popular Mechanics

The government of China has taken yet another step towards controlling the chinese citizens using the internet. A new internet police, described in english languished chinese newwspaper "The China Daily" and BBC, are to make sure that offended citizens can complain quickly and efficiently. Then police will offer a feedback in 30 minutes after they received valid calls, says Zhao Hongzhi, deputy director of the Internet department of the Beijing police bureau. Doing this, the chinese authorities will know more websites with inappropriate content such as porn or politics, and the chinese internet users will be reminded that their back are being watched carefully.

The cartoon figures will pop up every 30 minutes on web pages, starting September 1. Looking kind of cute, they are not really sending the message they should: That the chinese government are again exercising its already impressive capacity for control and oppression.