Category Archives: Psychology

C.A.A.T.

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C.A.A.T. =’s Computer Aided Animal Training.

Sometime ago, I decided that I wanted to appear on ‘The David Letterman show.’ My goal was to submit a pet video for evaluation so that I could be in the show’s segment titled “Stupid Pet Tricks.”

I know, who would do it? I just thought that it would be fun, and I always learn new things from my crazy ideas.

My concept was to have an aquarium fish train itself to run a maze. I called it “Project Little Star.” I would then go on the show with a white lab coat on and my trained fish. I can hear David asking me, “Who would spend so much time and effort to train a fish?” “Well, I would Mr. Letterman.” (Audience laughter.)

I decided on the parts that I needed and made a sketch of my set up. I would need:

  • A computer
  • A frame grabber and camera
  • Auto fish feeder
  • Light
  • Interface board
  • Aquarium
  • Fish
  • Monitors
  • An interactive program for fish training

Here is the sketch that I originally made and my actual set up below.

A lot of thought went into this crazy idea, that by the way never happened. The programming was beyond my capabilities, but in reality it could be done.

The camera would monitor the fish movements. Each time it got close to a maze hoop, a light would flash and the auto fish feeder would drop in some food. The amount of reward would be based on how good the movement was. The rewards would be varied so that the fish would not just keep making the same movement.

Eventually, the fish would train itself to run the entire maze.

So this was all for a stupid pet trick, but I believe that the concept could have some real world application. This idea could be applied to seals or dolphins to train themselves in rescue techniques, say for a downed plane in water or a sunken ship.

Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men, or humans and fish just don’t work out!

AlphaWEAR Clothing Line

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After I patented the AlphaWAVE Relaxation / Performance Improvement Disk, I thought about other ways that I might apply this concept.  How might I get people interested in learning how to improve their alpha brainwave production?

People like T-shirts… why not come up with some designs.  A Clothing Line For Your Mind became my new trademark and mantra.

Not clothing color therapy, but visual conditioning, through a process, which causes brain synchronization, producing Alpha waves.  Like biofeedback or meditation, the mind becomes quiet and in focus.  This reduces mental and muscle tension and enables optimal performance in any endeavor, and improves one’s health.

My original intention was to use the Alpha disk for training, and then wear an apparel item (shirt, hat, shoes, towel, etc.) during the actual sporting event.  This would give the user mental reinforcement during the stress of performing.  I received a second patent for this concept.

It was specifically a tool for sports performance improvement – relax the mind and your game improves.  Then it occurred to me that many of our daily or life’s events cause stress as well. 

I wanted to use clothing as a relaxation device.  Utilize the Alpha generating color, along with words and images that would have meaning to the wearer.  A Clothing Revolution so to speak that would improve people’s mental health worldwide.   Could it be done?

Here is one of my first designs. (Keep in mind that the Alpha image color as seen on your device’s screen, is not the actual yellow-green fluorescent color needed to produce Alpha waves.)

Pregnancy produces a lot of stress on a woman’s body.  Look at the Alpha producing image from the wearer’s point of view.  There is a process word, BREATHE and an outline image of a baby.  These act as queues to remind the mother to slow down, look at the image and produce Alpha waves.  In turn, her blood pressure goes down.  If it worked for my niece, then it can work for any expectant mother.

I thought that these shirts would be excellent to use in pre-birthing classes.  Then the expecting mother could take some home for daily use.  I proposed a study at UCSF, but of course received no reply back. Too bad, this really works

I did make a short production run of a long sleeve shirt for my own use.

I’ll be wearing one when I fly my Hammerhead Shark Hydrofoil Board – Flying on a Hammerhead Shark.  I know I will be very stressed prior to the first flight.  I will use the shirt to keep me calm.  Happy landings!

Here’s another shirt that I designed.

The image of the world is actually the Alpha wave producing color.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if this shirt was worn by millions of people around the world.  People’s attitudes would change for the better. Like I say, “Cambiar El Mundo – Change The World.”

The Alpha Generation would prevail. What a wonderful thought!