John,

So here's the thing. What they do, and what they present on, is either
something we already done (and have done for years) OR it's completely
irrelevant to what we do, meaning it simply isn't relevant.

So, for instance, now the big buzz is (apparently) z-score based training. And
it's not bad, at least in some theoretical ways. There are problems with it
though, esp in how it's actually implemented. For one thing, a z-score is a
linear mathematical concept. NLD/NDS mathematics work much better since we are
actually dealing with the CNS and it is clearly NLD/NDS. But the other real
problem lies with the idea that there is an "ideal" central tendency for ALL
brains and that training needs to be oriented towards migrating EVERY brain back
towards that central tendency, wherever that brain happens to be.

It is a slight twist on the Lake Wobegone idea that "all of our children are
above average". Most people are so seduced by Gaussian stats that they really
do believe that "average" means something important. And, therefore, being
ABOVE average might be even better; so Peak Performance means being "above
average" rather than "at your personal optimal level".

A related issue is that it's really clear that the "norms" aren't useful, esp
not for the purpose of neurofeedback training. At best they give very clumsy
"guides" for what might be useful for some severe deficits, but the truth is
that there simply isn't enough data to support those "guides" from the point of
view of real normative database statistics. We're still probably 10 years away
--at best! -- from having that level of data collected, collated and analyzed in
meaningful ways. And, even if we DID have that level of data analysis,
neurofeedback is done using different technology than the data that is collected
and submitted for QEEG-based analyses so there would still be a real question as
to how useful the QEEG-based conclusions would be when applied to fundamentally
different data (ie the data actually used during neurofeedback).

Similarly, "protocol-based" decision making is irrelevant to what we do. Our
comprehensive, adaptive targeting "covers the waterfront" AND adapts itself to
the Client's real-time training data AS training happens. So what choices are
needed?

So the overwhelming amount of information presented at those conferences is
really of no use whatsoever to how we do neurofeedback training.

Now let's turn the question around and ask can presenting what we do at those
conferences be useful to others? And the answer to that is, most likely not at
all. The real reason for that is that what we do can ONLY be done using
NeurOptimal. No other system can work in the same way. So what would others
learn? Basically that they would need to replace their current equipment (or at
least extend it with a new purchase) and how much do you think others want to
hear that? Esp if they've already invested heavily in an alternative approach,
and esp one that relies so much on expensive diagnostic or assessment
procedures?

It's just too cognitively dissonant.

That's a real shame IMO but "that's the way it is", to gloss Walter Cronkite.

--- In neurofeedcommunity@yahoogroups.com, "Valdeane W. Brown, Ph.D."
<valdeanebrown@...> wrote:
>
> John,
>
> Interesting questions and the short answer is that those conferences are not
> only unimportant, in many ways they are irrelevant. And, yes, no longer
> participating in that arena has been a very good thing.
>
> val
>
>
> On 11/08/09 2:25 AM, "John Thompson" <forumnhtc@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Val,
> > Invariable the shift will come because of the outstanding advantages of a
> > system such as NeurOptimal that works with process in this way. As
threatened
> > as the people are who have big investment in classical approaches they
cannot
> > continue to suppress , degrade or ignore the information coming out of
> > nonlinear approaches. After all the results speak for themselves and there
is
> > accumulating evidence of efficacy such that the growing mountain is becoming
> > visible. The bigger it gets the harder it is to obscure with the mist of
> > deception and ignorance or divert people�s attention from it. That some
are
> > now claiming it as their own is perhaps an extension of pre-existing
> > attitudes. I guess it is somewhat satisfying to have Siegfried acknowledge
you
> > pioneering work in the nfb field.
> >
> > I think that to stop participating in the field these people control was a
> > very good thing to do. That simply enabled them to target the innovators
more
> > easily. It seems that by removing ourselves from these forums has enabled
the
> > nonlinear nfb field to begin to self organize and gain strength within its
own
> > right. Do you see a time when you again involve yourself in those
conferences
> > or do you think the nonlinear nfb approach is gaining enough momentum so
that
> > they become increasingly unimportant.
> > John Thompson