It is the time ...of year we start to consider…. What will I buy Junior for Christmas and his birthday. I was intrigued by Mattel’s new Mind Flex game but more intrigued by Uncle Milton’s “The Force Trainer.” Before I made the purchase, I did, some research as to what this machine did and how it did it. Was this a gimmick? NO, it is not. Children, and adults moving things with their minds or is it some new form of mind control? There is a ring of FREAKY in the toy and as a toy and doll designer that has watched / studied the adverse effects of video games. Including Juniors addiction to them (from his mother allowing too much machine play) I was reluctant to feed into the whole video game- thing but this game is not a video game= you have to use your mind on this one. To really move things with your mind!

My time with Junior is spent keeping him off the machines, we generally draw, paint, sculpt, run outside.

When I purchase a toy for Junior, I am meticulous, last birthday I took him to pick out his own toys. I was surprised at his picks, Junior picked toys I would have never considered- purchasing. Several I would have thought – he would have considered babyish. However, without—any qualms-- I know he is going to want to want to play the force.

Junior and and I already play the force --with light sabers, it has been one of our standard forms of play since he was two, and we have been pretending we are Jedi masters complete with Star Wars music – when we travel in the car. He once thought I could use the force to change the streetlights from red to green driving down the road. I do not think he is that easy to fool at age seven. I of course am the master Jedi simply because I am taller and stronger I can lay him down with the light sword. However, I do have to be careful because if I do not let him win at times- and he gets mad if I never let him win and then he will way lay me across the legs and knock me down with his sword.

It will clearly become a different game now as to who is the master of the mind (and we will soon see who really has the REAL FORCE—IN THE GAME). Because the new game is going to prove if a seven year old can out move things with his mind, against grandma (who already knows she can- including toys)- and his dad – who is certain to adore the game as much or more as junior (I feel certain.) I am wondering if I should have ordered three of those, one for Beau Sr. and Jr. and one for me. To practice up-- for Juniors visits. Alternatively, will it end up being a toy he grows bored with in a few tries and I get to keep it at my house? We will see.

Obviously, the choice between Mind Flex by Mattel and Uncle Milton’s force trainer was easy, right? Wrong – I did research on both, while I am not a big fan of Mattel toys I did give them a chance by watching = videos on YouTube and reading reviews.

The Mind Flex retails for around $80, Uncle Milton toy I saw at prices ranging from $149.to $119.99 but I just got--the deal of the century, I just captured it on Amazon- this morning- not at the suggested retail price of $119. I just seized that on Amazon for $88.48 with free shipping. I am not certain if that is due to low interest in the toy or I am smart enough to order early?

Why is = the Uncle Milton toy is better, first it does not have the uncomfortable ear clamps, it simply put has a much more comfortable looking headpiece and next it features the Star Wars voices and music.

After looking at the graphs of brain waves going from Alpha waves, to Beta waves to – theta waves. It became clear to me that the familiarity of already going into the theta wave stage while watching the Star Wars movies. In my mind and vast research on the subject. The pricier version with the Star Wars licensing agreement, it would clearly do it faster than the cheaper version. Than the one- with this ball jumping through hoops – few seemed to manage to do on the promos- compared to Uncle Milty, (I also trust him more due to his known record of accomplishment of educational toys (talking worm farms.) - And if we- cannot do it easily the first try the kid will walk away. (Call, me the voice of experience on that one.). Then there were the crappy reviews on the Mind Flex- people bought it and found they did not like it. I never read one bad review of Uncle Milton including watching adults do it from Newsrooms on YouTube.

I think we- all just want to play with the toy and know if it is harmful to our children. It appears not, to me- as a lifetime designer of toys – who does study the effects of them I am going to recommend the Uncle Milton Star Wars Force trainer.

I figure if the concept is good enough for DARPA- the United States military projects than I had better get Junior on it young! He will have to defend himself in a world of people using machines to move things with their minds. In fact -science can now read the mind with computers.

The Defense Advanced Research from our government invested 4 million dollars in it in 2009. In order to investigate the technology to enable their soldiers to telepathically communicate with computers to fly machines. It is also using the research to help the brain communicate with amputee victims artificial limbs.

The machine is powered by EEG neuron feedback and fans of the game make balls levitate concentrating their mind to do so. The headset transmits radio signals using the brain and the fans that manipulate the ball.

A neuron is the basic information brain processing – building block of the brain. Neurons are a pulse of electrical energy- in the brain, and the cells of the nervous system. When the person reaches into their brain and finds- the Theta wave- that is when they can move the ball, the head sensor sends beams to the main component. Theta brainwaves are on a slow brain wave system, more when a person is in a day dreaming state. For example, you are driving down a familiar road- and you wake up and cannot remember- the drive, your brain has automatically went to a theta brain wave state.

As an artist I believe while I am sculpting, drawing or painting- writing I have long known how to tap into the Theta wave of my brain and I am thrilled with this toy, and I am hoping junior will be thrilled also, I will let you know – just like I do on all my Hubs. If you are interested in how this toy plays out- I will be getting it within a week or a few days and as always, I will come back on this Hub and give you a first person review.

You bet I am for a toy and game that actually does use the brain. I also anticipate no more harmful effects than using a computer, cell phone or watching TV. This toy could - end up being the one that- teaches us all in the future of telekinesis.

Thanks for reading THE DOLL INVENTION. 9:17am 10-03-09

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Wow, I received my toy today in the mail! I mean Juniors toy. It is 3:08pm Wednesday October 7, 2009. I ORDERED IT ON AMAZON SATURDAY.

Amazon delivers fast and it came free shipping I have not had a chance to take it out and play with it.

Favorite this site and come back! I have my own visual lab- ( I test visual response online with pictures including what colors people like the best and types of images --go to http://imageevent.com/adoll4ever.

Thanks for viewing the doll invention. A Tiara design www.adoll4ever.com

AS SOON AS I GET A CHANCE TO PLAY WITH IT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. I PLAN A BATTERY OF TESTS ON THIS ONE.

While you are here, please read my other Hubs.

Notes as of 10-09-09 the toy requires three AAA batteries, and four AA. It also requires a mechanical person to assemble- with patience and several screwdrivers.

Last night my daughter Emily and I played with the Force Trainer and Emily could not lift the ball I managed to lift the ball to the third ring first try. However, the game is complicated to configure- the bottom machine with the headpiece. Emily found the headpiece uncomfortable- it did not – bother me…. One- also has to be sure the headpiece is on correctly and is in contact with your skin, not on top of your hair. This toy requires patience to play with, and assemble. I believe most people and children will grow bored and frustrated with it easily. It also does not feature – Star Wars music _ unless it is higher up in levels. It does have the voice of Yoda but when I heard it – it distracted me from the theta level causing the ball to drop. I think I assumed it had the music because the promo videos online YOUTUBE featured the theme music. In addition, it has very irrupting red flashing lights that bothered me. I prefer blue lights to red; the red lights bothered my eyes and caused me concentration problems. However, I have not given up on THE FORCE.

It is hard to get to the Beta wave..

Box suggested age EIGHT.

photos uploaded 3:23pm 10-09-09

Junior came to visit last weekend 10-21-09. I decided to give him The Force Trainer early his birthday is November 21^st, he will be eight. He loved the toy and had no problem proving he has the force and his dad--= has the force too. I have noticed testing the toy, the people who think it is a rip off and do not believe it-= can’t do it.

Junior said, “ I am the best grandma on earth!”