Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 54

SaturdayOctober 11988Star Tribune Robot Holston 1E page 1E it Continued from page they never bring in dust that could ruin the delicate electronic devices Another robot in the exhibit moves test tubes In a chemistry lab with-j'out spilling a drop. There's also a robot artist drawing pictures, and a robot musician turning out jazz and ragtime tunes. "There are robots that can see, hear and sense your touch," Jorel says. The exhibit has about 30 other displays for people to see what makes robots tick and artificial intelligence think, visitors can: Touch a piece of artificial skin on the chest of a clear-plastic mannequin and hear, "Oooh, I can feel that." Touch harder and hear, "Cut it out what are you, a woodpecker?" The skin is being used to give robot hands a sense of feel. Punch a keyboard to control toy robots made of Lego blocks.

Watch themselves on one TV screen that will show their image only if they are moving, and on another TV screen onTv if thev stand very still. Such visual skills i allow robots to keep their "eyes" i focused on only what they should be looking at coming down an as-I sembly line. Advice Staff Photo by Charles Bjorgen Exhibit coordinator Tom Nielsen used a hand controller to command the movements of a real robot used In clean-room assembly. Steroids can transform winners Continued from Except Dave Moore reportedly used slightly stronger language to get his coiieagues' The curmudgeonly anchor of WCCO's 6 p.m. newscast the only WCCO evening newscast Pat Miles didn't appear on and the only WCCO newscast currently winning Its time period had a few choice things to say.

Moore rather testily told his colleagues that, yes, losing Miles was a tough break, but so what? They should remember what traditions and resources WCCO has and that its success and reputation are not the result of any one person. And besides, Moore reportedly said, what's this about Pat Miles being the star? People laughed, thinking Moore was talking about himself. "There's our star," Moore said, pointing to Don Shelby, the former l-Team reporter who succeeded him as WCCO's main anchor three years ago. With that, the staff was on its feet, applauding and cheering. The scenario sounds like something from a Frank Capra movie, except a moment's euphoria does not a happy ending make.

It remains to be seen how much Miles and her sweet-mother-of-mercy image mattered to the success of a local TV-news operation regarded as one of the nation's most serious, conscientious and ambitious. KARE desperately wants to extend its 1 0 p.m. success to the early evening newscasts, where WCCO is still the dominant station. It's not just a matter of advertising revenue, it's a matter of Ideology and retribution. WCCO's news executives derided KARE's comforting approach to news, and the cuddly KARE Bears started sharpening their claws, Well, there's not much KARE can do to WCCO now short of planting dynamite in its lobby or dope in sporstcaster Mark Rosen's car.

The Gannett station has tried every promotional angle Imaginable, from stamping Its logo on the Aquaten-nial Parade to having weather fore caster paui Douglas snow on nis baby. KARE spent millions to secure the rights to reruns of "The Cosby Show" (premieres Monday, 4:30 p.m.), betting that the sitcom episodes will boost the station's 5 p.m. newscast at least even in the ratings with those of WCCO and KSTP-Ch. 5, the 5 p.m. leader.

And now, KARE has Pat. True, she can't appear on KARE's air until Sept 1 1 989, because of the one-year no-compete clause in her expired WCCO contract. She may may do some behind-the-scenes work for her new employer during that time, but she'll mainly spend the year giving her two small children the attention her hectic schedule at WCCO didn't allow. What more could a publicity-minded station that prides itself on knowing "what matters" ask of a new employee? KARE is going for the double-whammy, of course, first taking Miles away from WCCO for a year, then putting her on against the sta tion for four years at either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

WCCO for now has assigned Colleen Needles, Dave Moore's 6 p.m. co-anchor, to take Miles' seat alongside Don Shelby on the 5 pirn, and 10 p.m. newscasts. Though it's obviously early to be making an assessment there's little indication yet that the Needles-for-Miles substitution is costing WCCO viewers. According to the A.C.

Nielsen "overnight" ratings, WCCO's 5 p.m. news had a 20 percent share on Tuesday, the day Miles quit. KSTP-Ch. 5's news had a 32 share, KMSP-Ch. 9 (with "Family had a 20 share and KARE's news had a 12 share.

Play a computerized game of tick-tack-toe to see how an expert system works. The computer is programmed with the game-playing strategy and skills of several experts. First the win-expert is consulted to see if there's a way to win the game with the next move. If not, the defense-expert blocks any losing move. Finally the other experts put their "heads" together to come up with the best move.

Write a sentence on the keyboard of another computer and have it translate the written words into spoken language. This reporter typed in a sentence and heard the computer repeat it aloud: hope robots won 't make humans obsolete." Most experts have said robots will only take over the drudgery jobs, freeing humans to concentrate on the more enjoyable tasks. These experts say robots will allow the economy to flourish, noting that Japan was ahead of the United States in using them to make cars. You know what happened Ciere. I3ut Nielsen said there are no guarantees that everything will go without a hitch.

He said a major aim of the Robots and Beyond exhibit is to get people to think about the future. Hazelden report Daniel J. Anderson have dangerous side effects. Scientists can't subject athletes to even greater risks to see if massive doses really enhance performance. What are the risks? Athletes, especially high-school and college-aged men and women, would do well to consider these results of steroid use: Young athletes who use steroids regularly may never reach their natural height At the end of the.

long bones are cartilage-like plates that grow and stretch as a young person matures, and harden into bone at full maturity. Steroids may cause these growth plates to harden ear- Ann Lenders who is trapped the way you were will take your advice. You told your story in a way I never could. Thank you. Dear Ann: In a recent column you made reference to a study that showed that rats, after having been exposed to several hours of uninterrupted rock music, had clinical evidence of brain damage.

I tend to doubt that research, based on my own experience. I live in the Bronx. We have had rats in our apartments for as long as I can remember. We also love rock music and play it day and night. Loud, the way it was meant to be played.

The rats here show no sign of brain damage. In fact they are pretty darned clever. They know how to steal cheese out of traps and have been outsmarting us for years. The rats used in the experiment you cited were probably bred in some ritzy lab. if researchers want accurate results they should use some real rats, like the kind we have in the Bronx.

Tony and Mabel Ann says: I'm not knocking home research, but the Bronx rats come out of their holes only now and then. The rats used in the lab experiment were subjected to a continuous barrage of loud rock music, the kind kids listen to by the hour. Dig me? Ann Landers is a columnist for Creators Syndicate and the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. Letters should be addressed to Ann Landers in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. Minneapolis, Minn.

55488. For a personal reply, enclose self-addressed, stamped envelope. CJm Thursday at 5 p.m., WCCO had a 22 percent share of the audience; KSTP had 31 percent KMSP 16 percent and KARE 15 percent Needles is highly regarded by 4Qf WCCO's management witneSsJ their eagerness to bring her back from Pittsburgh last year. And like Miles, she has that maternal plus She's expecting her second child in February. But that, of course, also! resents WCCO with a problem, eedles can't continue working three newscasts a day and she will be taking maternity leave.

Another female anchor wil be needed. Cindy Hilger. already a weekend anchor, apparently has the Inside 5 uavn. dui news uireuiur juiinson i said that WCCO may look out of town for anchoring i i What will happen when KARE finally can pair Miles and Paul Magers; is just about impossible to Although the Star Tribune's recenjt Minnesota Poll about local cast news suggested that Miles and Magers would make some kfrjEd of "dream team," there are no sure things In TV. Talent pirating is tricky business, in Orlando, the ABC affiliate had a phenomenally popular anchor- woman whose evening newscasts got shares greater than than 35 percent and whose noonday news-talk program often got more than-50 percent of the audience.

She got a better offer from the CBS station, waited out her no-compete year" 4 and began doing the a similar set pf broadcasts across town. She barely got half the audience she had before the switch. Many of her faqs felt she had jilted yes, jilted her former coanchors. Meanwhile over at WCCO, Dave Moore's theatrics may have had some carryover effect. Although some employees described the mood at the station as quiet and downbeat, others said their col-leagues seemed more hopeful after the shock wore off.

There is some bitterness, and ap-f parently It's not directed so much fkt Miles for leaving as it is at WCCO's management for "allowing" an important member of the team to slip! News staffers said Miles' unhappH ness with her hours was widely known within the station but that management simply hadn't paid attention. They still wonder why, if her appearance on the 10 p.m.' news was that critical, couldn't management have worked out something say, letting Miles come in at 8:30 p.m., read the news at 10 p.m. and go home. 5 Why did WCCO take an alior-nottv ing approach? General manager f. Ron Handberg said Friday that the; 10 p.m.

news is the news by which all of us seem to be judged. It's the' most important newscast in of audience, revenue and image. And with our position, fighting very stringent battle for 10 leadership, all of us felt we simply had to have our strongest people lb that broadcast "If it couldn't be Pat Miles at 10 o'clock, then we have to develop, with Colleen or someone else, a team that'll be there early and late if we're going to be said. "One of the things; think has contributed to KARE's! strength is that they do have basi- caily the same anchor team at 5, 6'! and 10." Handberg said that considering, WCCO already has one break In its anchor continuity -4 Dave Moore at 6 having more Inconsistency in the newscast liher ups would not have been strategi- cally wise. 1 "I wish we'd had more time to try to figure out a way to have made thisi' work," Handberg said.

"But even it we naa, it tne crucial question wast rat Miies not oomg tne ciock news, tne result probably would have been the same." 1-i i 9147 Open: Sat. 9-5 i t-t I laces. humans are marvelous. future Is yours to create, and always remember what It means to be a human. Goodbye and good luck In your new adventure." For information on museum hours and tickets you can call 221-9454 (and hear a machine give the recorded information) or the Connection at 922-9000 (and speak with a human).

into losers tion, aspiring athletes should note that surveys show the majority of serious athletes shun steroids. In a 1 985 NCAA survey of 2,040 college athletes, only 4 of track and field athletes reported that they hau used the drug. And in Hazel-den's surveys of nigh school students, less than 2 report trying steroids. Our culture often measures success In terms of awards, status, and monetary gain. We also look for magic pills to solve our problems and give us the edge.

With the enormous pressure on athletes to succeed at all costs, it's no wonder that some athletes would risk serious harm and even death to ensure their winning a championship. No drug, including steroids, can do that Is any drug worth the risk? The Hazelden report is produced under the direction of Daniel J. Anderson, president emeritus of Hazelden Foundation, a nonprofit agency in Minnesota providing a wide range of services relating to chemical dependency. Address 3uestions about chemical depen-ency to: Hazelden Report, 1400 Park Av. Minneapolis, Minn.

55404 Dear Abby him the idea that I am interested. What should I do? Troubled In Tucson Abby says: In answer to your question, I will tell you what not to do: Don't ask him any questions concerning his sexuality, don't believe rumors and never repeat them. Abigail Van Buren is a columnist for Universal Press Syndicate. Letters should be addressed to her In care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. Minneapolis, 55488.

The Daily Double I'm a high-school junior. I have this "so-called" friend who comes over to my house and runs up my parents phone bill calling a toll-call party line. I've asked her to cut it out. She won't What can I do? Angry. She's abused your friendship, you've asked her to stop, and she won't listen.

Is this even a "so-called" friend? She'll stop making phone calls if you don't let her inside your home. Diane Crowley. It's your house, your phone, your rules and your fault. Be assertive) The next time your friend picks up your family's phone without permission, ask her to leave. And if your parents haven't figured out the extra charges on their bill, clue them in.

Jeffrey Zaslow. Crowley and Zaslow are columnists for the Chicago Sun-Times. Letters should be addressed to them In care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. Minneapolis, Minn. 55488.

The $4 million exhibit was devel-oped last year by the Boston Museum of Science, with half the funds from Digital Equipment Corp. It is now on a tour of leading science museums in the nation that has brought it to St. Paul for 14-weeks. The voice of Jorel offers some encouraging words for humans, as well as some thoughts to ponder: "Wo robot can tie a pair of shoe ly, stunting the growing of the young athlete who uses them. In males, steroids, which are chemical relatives of natural male sex hormones, may cause testicular atrophy (shrinking of the testicles), low sperm count, sterility, and enlarged breasts.

In women, steroid use may result in a deeper voice, broader back, wider shoulders, flattened chest, skin changes, facial hair, an enlarged clitoris, and altered menstrual cycle. Many of these physical changes are irreversible. For both men and women, steroids increase the risk of heart disease and liver problems. The liver may develop tumors, blood-filled cysts, and impaired function resulting in jaundice. Cardiovascular problems include high blood pressure and elevated levels of fat in the blood, which can accelerate hardening of arteries.

Steroids can produce severe mood swings, changes in sex drive, and aggressive behavior. Johnson was one of several athletes expelled from the Olympics for alleged steroid use. While his expulsion has drawn a lot of atten- Posmmade hunter stop killing birds Dear Abby: For years, I used to shoot birds just for sport. I am enclosing the poem that persuaded me to give up that sport I came across it in the Chronicle, In Crested Butte, Colo. It was written by Lem Ward Crisfield, M.D.

Disarmed in Wisconsin A Hunter's Poem A hunter shot at a flock of geese That flew within his reach. Two were stopped in their rapid flight And fell on the sandy beach. The male bird lay at the water's edge And just before he died He faintly called to his wounded mate And she dragged herself to his side. She bent her head and crooned to him In a way distressed and wild Caressing her one and only mate As a mother would a child. Then covering him with her broken wing And gasping with failing breath She laid her head against his breast A feeble honk then death.

This story is true though crudely told; I was the man in this case. I stood knee deep in snow and cold And the hot tears burned my face. I buried the birds In the sand where they lay Wrapped in my hunting coat And I threw my gun and belt in the bay. When I crossed in the open boat Hunters will call me a right poor sport And scoff at the thing I did. But' that day something broke In my heart And shoot again? God forbid) Dear Abby: I am a 1 5-year-old boy and a sophomore in high school.

I have many friends and I recently heard a rumor about one I care for. Someone told me that he is homosexual. I really don't want to be swayed by rumors, but I don't know how to ask him if it's true. I have nothing against gay men, but I don't want to make the mistake of giving The expulsion of Ben Johnson from the Olympics has made it clear that steroids can turn winners into losers. Johnson's visibility as a world record runner heightens the tragedy.

But despite his personal loss and the disappointment of millions of viewers who rejoiced in his accomplishment, the subtle message is that steroids do Improve perfor- mance. We're especially concerned that young athletes watching the coverage of this news story may believe that steroids will improve their ath- petic abilities. The reality is that years of research on steroids have yielded controversial and contradictory results. In 1984, after an ex- hausthe review of the research on steroids, tne American college or Sports Medicine concluded steroids' "positive effect on strength is usually small and not exhibited by all individuals." Athletes who use steroids to build body strength take massive doses. That's one of the reasons the real effects of steroids on sports performance haven't been demonstrated.

Even in the much smaller dosages used for legitimate treatment of medical conditions, steroids can Sexual abuse victims urged to tell someone Dear Ann: I am a 15-year-old girl who has had a lot of experience with a sex abuser. I My parents were divorced when I was 4, and I had to visit my father every weekend and one month in the summer. He began to abuse me when I was about 7 years old. I was so confused because he told me it 4vas a father's place to teach his daughter how to love so that she could be a good wife. He made me promise never to tell anyone our secret." When I turned 11 1 knew it was wrong and warned him to leave me i alone or I would go to my mother and spill everything.

He never touched me after mat. Last spring a wonderful teacher sensed that I was a loner, very insecure and withdrawn. She broke i through the wall that I had built around myself. Once the floodgates were open I told her everything that had happened to me. That dear woman arranged for me to have counseling, and now, after six months, I feel like a different person.

If any child who is reading this has been sexually abused, or is being sexually abused right now, please tell somebody about it If you can't tell someone in your family, tell a teacher, or someone at your church, or a friend's mother. You must not let this awful thing go on. The best way to stop it is by telling: Remember, it is not your fault. You (did nothing wrong. It started long before you were able to understand what was happening to you.

ISure, therapy is scary. It's awfully fiard to talk about such a personal thing, but you must It is like a poison that will ruin all your relationships unless you get it out of your system. Talking to a counselor a piece of cake compared to RockforqY nn says: I hope every youngster MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISES JONATHAN PADELFORO, JOSIAH SNEUJNO AND ANSON NORTHRUP PUBLIC 2 P.M. every Sat ft Sun. thru Sept 2 Hour Trip from both EXCURSIONS Boom Island, Minneapolis and Harriet Wand, St Paul Adults $6.50 Children KO0 Seniors $5.50 CHARTERS Some dates still available Sept, Oct Special 4 Hour Ft Color Cruises Sundays Oct 2 9 1 P.M.

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