Imagine a world of streets lined with video cameras that alert authorities to any suspicious activity. A world where police officers can read the minds of potential criminals and arrest them before they commit any crimes. A world in which a suspect who lies under questioning gets nabbed immediately because his brain has given him away. Though that may sound a lot like the plot of the 2002 movie "Minority Report," starring Tom Cruise and based on a Philip K. Dick novel, I'm not talking about science fiction here; it turns out we're not so far away from that world. But does it sound like a very safe place, or a very scary one? It's a question I think we should be asking as the federal government invests millions of dollars in emerging technology aimed at detecting and decoding brain activity. And though government funding focuses on military uses for these new gizmos, they can and do end up in the hands of civilian law enforcement and in commercial applications. As spending continues and neurotechnology advances, that imagined world is no longer the stuff of science fiction or futuristic movies, and we postpone at our peril confronting the ethical and legal dilemmas it poses for a society that values not just personal safety but civil liberty as well. Consider Cernium Corp.'s "Perceptrak" video surveillance and monitoring system, recently installed by Johns Hopkins University, among others. This technology grew out of a project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency -- the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense -- to develop intelligent video analytics systems. Unlike simple video cameras monitored by security guards, Perceptrak integrates video cameras with an intelligent computer video. It uses algorithms to analyze streaming video and detect suspicious activities, such as people loitering in a secure area, a group converging or someone leaving a package unattended. Since installing Perceptrak, Johns Hopkins has reported a 25 percent reduction in crime. But that's only the beginning. Police may soon be able to monitor suspicious brain activity from a distance as well. New neurotechnology soon may be able to detect a person who is particularly nervous, in possession of guilty knowledge or, in the more distant future, to detect a person thinking, "Only one hour until the bomb explodes." Today, the science of detecting and decoding brain activity is in its infancy. But various government agencies are funding the development of technology to detect brain activity remotely and are hoping to eventually decode what someone is thinking. Scientists, however, wildly disagree about the accuracy of brain imaging technology, what brain activity may mean and especially whether brain activity can be detected from afar. Yet as the experts argue about the scientific limitations of remote brain detection, this chilling science fiction may already be a reality. In 2002, the Electronic Privacy Information Center reported that NASA was developing brain monitoring devices for airports and was seeking to use noninvasive sensors in passenger gates to collect the electronic signals emitted by passengers' brains. Scientists scoffed at the reports, arguing that to do what NASA was proposing required that an electroencephalogram (EEG) be physically attached to the scalp. But that same year, scientists at the University of Sussex in England adapted the same technology they had been using to detect heart rates at distances of up to 1 meter, or a little more than three feet, to remotely detect changes in the brain. And while scientific limitations to remote EEG detection still exist, clearly the question is when, not if, these issues will be resolved. Meanwhile, another remote brain-activity detector, which uses light beamed through the skull to measure changes in oxygen levels in the brain, may be on the way. Together with the EEG, it would enhance the power of brain scanning. Today the technology consists of a headband sensor worn by the subject, a control box to capture the data and a computer to analyze it. With the help of government funding, however, that is all becoming increasingly compact and portable, paving the way for more specific remote detection of brain activity. But don't panic: The government can't read our minds -- yet. So far, these tools simply measure changes in the brain; they don't detect thoughts and intentions. Scientists, though, are hard at work trying to decode how those signals relate to mental states such as perception and intention. Different EEG frequencies, for example, have been associated with fear, anger, joy and sorrow and different cognitive states such as a person's level of alertness. So when you're stopped for speeding and terrified because you're carrying illegal drugs in the trunk of your car, EEG technology might enable the police to detect your fear or increased alertness. This is not so far-fetched: Some scientists already are able to tell from brain images in the lab whether a test subject was envisioning a tool such as a hammer or a screwdriver or a dwelling, and to predict whether the subject intended to add or subtract numbers. Just last month, scientists announced a new study aimed at decoding visual imagery in the brain. Although brain-based lie-detection technology has been quite controversial and has only been tested on a limited basis, early researchers have claimed high accuracy at detecting deception. But there's a problem: Most brain-based lie-detection tests assume that lying should result in more brain activity than truth-telling because lying involves more cognition. So these lie-detection methods may fail in sociopaths or in individuals who believe in the falsehood they're telling. Whether such technology will be effective outside the laboratory remains to be seen, but the very fact that the government is banking on its future potential raises myriad questions
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UK government over science budget
Britain's most famous scientist, Stephen Hawking, has accused the government of making “disastrous” cuts to research funding that threaten the country’s international standing. Hawking has released correspondence accusing ministers of putting science at risk through basic “bookkeeping errors” that have led to an £80m budget shortfall and warning that several university physics departments may be forced to close. Separately, it has emerged that he has turned down the offer of a knighthood. “Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them,” said a spokesman. In the Queen’s birthday hon-ours this weekend, three respected but low-profile scientists are awarded knighthoods. The absence of a similar accolade for Hawking has long been one of British science’s minor puzzles.Now Hawking has cleared up the mystery by revealing that he first turned down a title more than a decade ago and since then his resolve has only hardened. His interventions on matters of public policy have been rare, but he has been angered by the cuts to physics funding that followed the government’s attempts to reor-ganise science. Last year ministers decided to merge the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, which funded most of Britain’s physics research. The merged body, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), was set up with an immediate shortfall of £80m because of mistakes in calculating the running costs of new laboratories. This immediately threatened the jobs of 600 physicists and the closure of facilities such as the Jodrell Bank radio telescope. It could also force Britain to pull out of global projects such as the Gemini telescopes in Hawaii. British involvement in other major international projects – such as the new particle accelerator at Cern, the physics facility near Geneva – are not believed to be at risk. They do, however, further squeeze the cash available for spending in Britain. An independent inquiry is under way into the crisis, but this week Ian Pearson, the science minister, is due to publish a report replying to a select committee that was highly critical of the government’s actions. In his letter, Hawking said: “This bookkeeping error has disastrous implications. There is a possibility that very severe cuts will be made in the grants awarded to UK research groups. “These grants are the lifeblood of our research effort; cutting them will hurt young researchers and cause enormous damage both to British science and to our international reputation. They could well lead to several physics departments closing.” The threat to university physics departments has most angered Hawking and his fellow theoretical physicists. Neil Turok, professor of mathematical physics at Cambridge and a close colleague of Hawking, has already decided to quit Britain to become director of the Perimeter Institute in Ontario, Canada, this autumn. “Experiments at the cutting edge of physics are designed to test theories, so theory is essential to their interpretation,” said Turok. “What the government is doing by cutting theory is consigning the UK to funding but not benefiting from these big experiments. It really is a dumb policy.” Brian Cox, professor of particle physics at Manchester University, who is closely involved with the large hadron collider project at Cern, said he supported Hawking’s comments. “The notion that scientists will make a more valuable contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of the world if their research is closely directed by politicians is the most astonishing piece of nonsense I have had the misfortune to come across in a long time,” Cox said. Pearson has written to Hawking rejecting most such criticisms and has suggested the creation of the STFC has been a success. He said in a statement: “There was no deficit at the time of the merger; nor were there arithmetical errors. I can quite understand how those whose work is not funded may well question those who gave it a lower priority.” For Hawking such battles may soon seem remote. He expects to spend more time abroad in future, partly in California and partly with Turok in Ontario.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
U.S. Funded Health Search Engine Blocks 'Abortion'
A U.S. government-funded medical information site that bills itself as the world's largest database on reproductive health has quietly begun to block searches on the word "abortion," concealing nearly 25,000 search results.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
US COLLEGE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 2008
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
You will find hundreds of educational grants and scholarships for college tuition, books and living expenses.
You can get as much as $50,000 in free College Grants from the US Government. Grants for private, primary and secondary schools, women and men to further their education, scholarships for athletes, business management, engineering, computer science, medical school, undergraduate, graduate, professional, international studies and many more.
Receive Education Grants for:
Federal Grants - Pell Grants up to $2,700 per year for undergraduate students earning a bachelor's or professional degree, SEOG funds up to $4,000 per year/person, CWS funds even for part-time students.
State grants and scholarships available for highest ranking high school students, students who are needy, deaf or blind students, minorities. Most are based on need, grades and test scores.
Private Scholarships - Access to over 180,000 private Scholarships!
Privately Sponsored funds - from foundations, corporations, unions, fraternal and religious organizations
Private Foundations provide funding through grants and scholarships for graduate, undergraduate students for both public and private schools. Some offer funds with no strings attached others offer matching fund basis.
Artist funding as grants, awards, residential programs in such fields as dance, film, arts, theater, and writing.
Loan Programs - Unfortunately these do need to be repaid, but provide a valuable source of money. Stafford Guaranteed Student Loans up to $6,625 per year, Direct Plus Loans, and Perkins Loan Programs for up to $3,000 per year for undergraduate students and $5,000 per year for graduate students.
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
You will find hundreds of educational grants and scholarships for college tuition, books and living expenses.
You can get as much as $50,000 in free College Grants from the US Government. Grants for private, primary and secondary schools, women and men to further their education, scholarships for athletes, business management, engineering, computer science, medical school, undergraduate, graduate, professional, international studies and many more.
Receive Education Grants for:
- Graduate School
- Undergraduate School
- Secondary School
- Primary School
- Preschool School
- Nursery School
- Medical School
- Environmental Science
- Business Management
- Computer Science
- Many other disciplines
Federal Grants - Pell Grants up to $2,700 per year for undergraduate students earning a bachelor's or professional degree, SEOG funds up to $4,000 per year/person, CWS funds even for part-time students.
State grants and scholarships available for highest ranking high school students, students who are needy, deaf or blind students, minorities. Most are based on need, grades and test scores.
Private Scholarships - Access to over 180,000 private Scholarships!
Privately Sponsored funds - from foundations, corporations, unions, fraternal and religious organizations
Private Foundations provide funding through grants and scholarships for graduate, undergraduate students for both public and private schools. Some offer funds with no strings attached others offer matching fund basis.
Artist funding as grants, awards, residential programs in such fields as dance, film, arts, theater, and writing.
Loan Programs - Unfortunately these do need to be repaid, but provide a valuable source of money. Stafford Guaranteed Student Loans up to $6,625 per year, Direct Plus Loans, and Perkins Loan Programs for up to $3,000 per year for undergraduate students and $5,000 per year for graduate students.
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
USA Government Grants For Women-2008
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
Over 20 Billion dollars in government grants is for women!
Over 5,000 Government Sources for Women Entrepreneurs :
Every year over 500,000 women start their own businesses. Two out of every three new businesses are started by women. And women are more successful than men. Women have a 75% chance of success in business ownership. That's why the Federal, State and Local Governments offer thousands of programs that give out money, help and information to women who want to start or expand their own business.
Each year over 1 million entrepreneurs get over $300 BILLION from government programs like:
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
Over 20 Billion dollars in government grants is for women!
Over 5,000 Government Sources for Women Entrepreneurs :
Every year over 500,000 women start their own businesses. Two out of every three new businesses are started by women. And women are more successful than men. Women have a 75% chance of success in business ownership. That's why the Federal, State and Local Governments offer thousands of programs that give out money, help and information to women who want to start or expand their own business.
- Grants for College and Higher Education
- Grants for New or Existing Business
- Grants for Low Income Households
- Grants for Healthcare and Housing
- Personal and Family Needs Grants
- And much more........
Each year over 1 million entrepreneurs get over $300 BILLION from government programs like:
- $30,000 To Start A Business In A Small Town
- $15,000 For Entrepreneurs With Disabilities
- Money For Women To Start A Small Business When They're Out of Work
- $250,000 To Start A Day Care Center
- $ Money, Training and Child Care When You're Starting A Business
- Free Seminars On How To Sell Your Products Overseas
- One Page Applications Can Get Your $100,000
- Start Your Business And Don't Pay Taxes For 15 Years
- 20,000 Free Experts Who Will Increase Your Profits
- Over $1 Billion To Work On Inventions And New Ideas
- $75,000 If Your Business Is Hurt By Imports
- $300,000 From Venture Capital Angles Who Invest In Women Entrepreneurs
- 80% Discount On Energy Consultants
- $25,000 To Send Your Employees To Computer Classes
- $3 Million For Low Income Women To Start A Business
- $50,000 To Fix Up An Old Building
- $20,000 For Horse Lovers
- $25,000 To Wrok On A Method To Reduce Wood Waste
- $100,000 For Low Income Businesses In Tennessee
- $2 Million For New Ways To Recycle Tires
- $150,000 To Start A Coffee bar
- Make $75,000 Working Out Of Your Home
- $10 Billion In Government Contract For Women
- $5,000 To Make Sales Calls Overseas
- Get $10,000 For Every New Job Your Create
- Get Paid To Attend Entrepreneur Classes
- $15,000 For Single Moms To Get Into The Real Estate Business
- $20,000 To Start A Business In A Certain Zip Code
- Save $2,000 On Preparing A Business Plan
- $100,000 To Develop A New Product
- Free Legal Help To Fight The Government
- $10,000 For 10-Year-Old Girls To Start A Business
- Business Loans For Women With Bad Credit
- How TO Get The Government To Pay Half Of Your Wages
- Free Mailing List Of Customers
- Free Consultants Train You On How To Use The Latest Technology
- $25,000 To Start A Home Based Business
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
USA Government Business Grants
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
The Federal Government is giving out over 175 billion dollars in Business Grants for the Fiscal Year 2008!
Business Grants
If you are thinking of starting or expanding a business, this is the grant for you. It's a fact, businesses like Nike, Intel, Amazon, Compaq, Apple, and FedEx all received financial assistance when they were young.
The U.S. Government understands small business is essential to a vibrant economy. As a result, many grants and low interest loan programs are available to stimulate small businesses.
Receive Up To $250,000 In Business Grants!
Part of the secret of getting business grants is knowing where, when and who to go to. The USA Government Grants Package will quickly get you there. It contains hundreds of listings and direct links to federal, state, local and private grants where millions of dollars are awarded each year for businesses.
Use Business Grants for:
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
The Federal Government is giving out over 175 billion dollars in Business Grants for the Fiscal Year 2008!
Business Grants
If you are thinking of starting or expanding a business, this is the grant for you. It's a fact, businesses like Nike, Intel, Amazon, Compaq, Apple, and FedEx all received financial assistance when they were young.
The U.S. Government understands small business is essential to a vibrant economy. As a result, many grants and low interest loan programs are available to stimulate small businesses.
Receive Up To $250,000 In Business Grants!
- Startup Expenses
- Business expenses
- Overhead expenses
- Expansion expenses
- Acquisition expenses
- Salaries
- Equipment financing
- Rent
- Employee training
- Free business consultation Legal expenses
- Patent registration
- Patent protection
- New inventions
- Infrastructure funding
- ... and much more!
Part of the secret of getting business grants is knowing where, when and who to go to. The USA Government Grants Package will quickly get you there. It contains hundreds of listings and direct links to federal, state, local and private grants where millions of dollars are awarded each year for businesses.
Use Business Grants for:
- Starting a small business?
- Starting a medium sized business?
- Starting a not-for-profit or non-profit business?
- Purchasing new equipment?
- Building for your business?
- Planning an expansion?
- Planning a renovation?
- Planning research?
- Acquiring land, property or another business?
- Falling on hard times and/or need operating expense money?
- Are you a minority planning to start a business?
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
Grants for College Students
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
Grants are a wonderful way to finance your college education, because unlike loans they do not have to be paid back. Grants are essentially free money. If you need free money for college, find out everything you need to know about grants here.
Business School Grants
Business school grants are a wonderful alternative to loans because grants do not have to be paid back. Find out what type of business school grants are available here.
Free Money for College- Paying for School with Grants
Want free money for college? Grants are a wonderful way to finance your college education, because unlike loans they do not have to be paid back. Find out what type of grants are available and get eligibility requirements.
Merit-Based Government Grants
Many federal grants are awarded based upon financial need, but others are awarded based upon merit and achievement. Here you will find information about merit-based government programs and grants.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students based upon financial need. Find out more about Federal Pell Grants and Pell Grant eligibility here.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to students based upon financial need. Find out if a FSEOG or another government grant can help you pay for college.
Grants are a wonderful way to finance your college education, because unlike loans they do not have to be paid back. Grants are essentially free money. If you need free money for college, find out everything you need to know about grants here.
Business School Grants
Business school grants are a wonderful alternative to loans because grants do not have to be paid back. Find out what type of business school grants are available here.
Free Money for College- Paying for School with Grants
Want free money for college? Grants are a wonderful way to finance your college education, because unlike loans they do not have to be paid back. Find out what type of grants are available and get eligibility requirements.
Merit-Based Government Grants
Many federal grants are awarded based upon financial need, but others are awarded based upon merit and achievement. Here you will find information about merit-based government programs and grants.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students based upon financial need. Find out more about Federal Pell Grants and Pell Grant eligibility here.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to students based upon financial need. Find out if a FSEOG or another government grant can help you pay for college.
Government Aid & Money - No Grants Needed
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
You need help, but after reading Federal Grants - No Free Lunch, you may have decided that a U.S. government grant is not the way to get it. But, do not give up, because most government assistance to individuals comes from sources other than grants. Here you will find resources and articles to assist you in getting the help you need.
What do you need?
In each of the following categories of need, sources of federal and local assistance will be suggested. Please note that the names of the local agencies and officials suggested are merely examples and will vary from city-to-city. Always check your phone book under "Government Pages" for names and numbers in your city or county.
Select the Category of Assistance Needed
Small Business - Money to Start or Expand
Healthcare-related Assistance
Work or Career Related Assistance
Home Improvements or Repairs - Homelessness
Hunger - Nutrition
Child Care / Family / Student Assistance
Tip: Always look at home first
No matter what kind of assistance you need, always look locally first. The fastest and easiest-to-get sources of help are often found at your city hall, county offices, local colleges, hospitals, churches, large corporations and private foundations. Many of these local organizations receive federal and state grants to assist citizens in need. A great resource list for finding out about private foundations has been compiled by About Guide to Non-profits Stan Hutton, at: Information About Foundations.
About Personal Debt
There are no federal assistance programs for paying off personal debt. Instead, you need to seek the assistance of a debt counselor at a local bank or savings and loan. About Credit and Debt Management site can also help you out.
You need help, but after reading Federal Grants - No Free Lunch, you may have decided that a U.S. government grant is not the way to get it. But, do not give up, because most government assistance to individuals comes from sources other than grants. Here you will find resources and articles to assist you in getting the help you need.
What do you need?
In each of the following categories of need, sources of federal and local assistance will be suggested. Please note that the names of the local agencies and officials suggested are merely examples and will vary from city-to-city. Always check your phone book under "Government Pages" for names and numbers in your city or county.
Select the Category of Assistance Needed
Small Business - Money to Start or Expand
Healthcare-related Assistance
Work or Career Related Assistance
Home Improvements or Repairs - Homelessness
Hunger - Nutrition
Child Care / Family / Student Assistance
Tip: Always look at home first
No matter what kind of assistance you need, always look locally first. The fastest and easiest-to-get sources of help are often found at your city hall, county offices, local colleges, hospitals, churches, large corporations and private foundations. Many of these local organizations receive federal and state grants to assist citizens in need. A great resource list for finding out about private foundations has been compiled by About Guide to Non-profits Stan Hutton, at: Information About Foundations.
About Personal Debt
There are no federal assistance programs for paying off personal debt. Instead, you need to seek the assistance of a debt counselor at a local bank or savings and loan. About Credit and Debt Management site can also help you out.
Paying For School- Merit-Based Government Grants
Find free grant money quickly! FREE Government Funding CD
Free Money for College
Many federal grants are awarded based upon financial need, but others are awarded based upon merit and achievement. Here are a few examples of merit-based government programs.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program This program rewards students who have achieved academic honors. Students can get more information from their high school counselor.
National Science Scholars Program This program rewards high school seniors who have achieved academic distinction in science. Students can get more information from their high school counselor.
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) This program was formerly known as State Student Incentive Grants. It is still funded by individual states and the federal government
Students can determine their eligibility by talking to their high school counselor or college financial aid office.
Free Money for College
Many federal grants are awarded based upon financial need, but others are awarded based upon merit and achievement. Here are a few examples of merit-based government programs.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program This program rewards students who have achieved academic honors. Students can get more information from their high school counselor.
National Science Scholars Program This program rewards high school seniors who have achieved academic distinction in science. Students can get more information from their high school counselor.
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) This program was formerly known as State Student Incentive Grants. It is still funded by individual states and the federal government
Students can determine their eligibility by talking to their high school counselor or college financial aid office.
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