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I suspect we will gain our understanding through modelling but I'm not sure I'll be around when we do.

I agree. I've always thought that one of Edelman's conscious artifacts, http://www.21stcentury.co.uk/robotics/nomad.asp, would be the way in to a better understanding of the brain, but I haven't kept up with their progress. I'm still hoping they'll find some answers while I'm around.

Yeah, they had something like this, but I think it flopped....

http://www.21stcentury.co.uk/robotics/irobot_le.as p

DailyWireless has more on Wearable Communicating Costumes and the Adidas Hot Shoe.

"Smart clothing" and wearable computing developers include:

• France Telecom invented a flexible fiber optic system that can be embedded in clothes. Static or animated graphics can be displayed.

• Chipmaker Infineon has created a packaging technology that allows circuitry to be woven into ordinary fabrics, which can then be normally washed or even dry-cleaned. The company created a prototype jacket with an embedded MP3 player.

• Orang-Otang Computers has patented designs for gadgets like a phone that fits under a shirt sleeve, a wrist-mounted audio recorder, a wearable laptop and a wearable camera.

• California's Charmed Technology, an MIT Media Lab spin-off, is poised to be a world leader in affordable, wearable Internet products. Their CharmBadge is designed for aiding the communication and networking.

• Fossil, best known for trendy watches, has created wrist devices that exchange information with handheld computers and Microsoft's Spot.

• The Smart Shirt System uses biological sensors to monitor heart rates or the locations of those wearing the technology, says Jeffrey Wolf, CEO of Sensatex Inc.

• Tactex Controls uses "smart fabric" for a touch-sensitive MIDI controller.

• Zigbee-equipped sneakers might record speed, body telemetry and even external sensors.

• Orientation, communications and geographic positioning electronics can all be incorporated into outdoor clothing. Heat can be transferred through conducting fibres to colder areas of the body

• The SCOTTeVEST shows the way traditional garments may be altered to meet the demanding needs of spies and undercover agents.

You could get some ideas from this one.

LOL! *falls out of chair* Thanks I needed that.

Reminds me of this joke.

• http://www.21stcentury.co.uk/robotics/dyson_dc06.a sp
  
• http://www.fp.rdg.ac.uk/equal/AT/reki/REKIslides/R EKIADCttATS/sld018.htm
  
• http://www.thirdage.com/news/archive/991218-02.htm l
  
• And more on Google
  

While real physics has always been about rigorous (and vigorous) lab work, the popular image of physics, and Science as a whole, has strayed from this considerably.

Gees. Not only do you insult theoretical physicists here but every other science that does not involve experimentation such as computer science and mathematics. Who are you to define what "real physics" and "real Science" is?

Witness, for example, the popular celebration of Einstein's thought experiments. The average layman is under the impression that Einstein reached his great intellectual climaxes by just sitting and thinking about things, maybe over a cup of hot chocolate. What people don't see is the hours of experimentation (real experimentation) as he tried to verify and correct the results of his thought experiments.

Einstein did some of his best work while employeed as a patent clerk [1] [2] [3]. As a patent clerk, he most likely did not have access to the laboratory equipment needed to perform experiments involving speeds close to that of light. In fact the first experimental verification of general relativity was done some years after his papers and by someone else.

So why is it like that? Are people just stupid?

Okay, you've called us all stupid. Now here's your chance to back up that claim by showing us proof of these supposed "hours of experimentation (real experimentation)" that Einstein needed to work out relativity.

Since the collapse of the Catholic Church in the times of Galileo Galilei, there has been a vacuum where religious fervor once stood. Science (or this fantastical mockery of Science) has filled that void, uncomfortably.

I don't know what country you live in, but here in the US, the Cathloic Church is a formidable force in people's lives and in public policies. It certainly has not collapsed.

Show the theorists some respect.

GMD