Daily Archives: October 26, 2011

Food / Science & Technology — No Comments
26
Oct 11

‘Magnetic tongue’ ready to help produce tastier processed foods

Is it just me, or is this just a little strange?

I don’t know… relying on an artificial tongue to decide if food tastes good seems like technology gone berserk. The article below describes a new device using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to ‘taste’ and help produce tastier processed foods. I guess it should work, since processed foods are laden with chemicals and artificial flavorings anyway.

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that our tastes are influenced by our human moods, cravings, and whether we’re hungry. Because of this, human tasters are deemed unreliable. The eTongue (along with the already developed eNose) reportedly can’t be swayed by moods and notions that human tasters suffer.
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Business and Politics / People — No Comments
26
Oct 11

Snake oil and Used Cars…

By James Milstid
Yesterday, presidential candidate Rick Perry (R-Texas) introduced his version of a flat-tax plan for America.

I don’t pretend to be an economics expert, so I won’t make any uneducated comments about the merits or disadvantages of his plan. Nor will I pass judgement on Herman Cain’s 999 tax plan. I’ll save that for the talking-heads in the media.

Such a deal I have for you…
What disturbed me about Rick Perry’s presentation was the slippery, slimy feeling I perceived. I’ve felt it before while shopping for a used car. Or walking through the warehouse-style furniture store. That “is-this-guy-being-straight-with-me” feeling.

When he held up his 5×7 index card, the words “snake-oil” flashed across my mind… in bright flashing neon letters. My internal warning flags were at full mast. But the premise did have a certain appeal on the surface.
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