Brain Drain
In one of my undergrad classes (The Physiology of Behavior or some such), we discussed this theory that the brain essentially functioned like a hard drive and stored information in certain sections. This got me to thinking about whether or not your brain could get, well, full. If it got full and you learn/remember something new, does it overwrite old information? I’m not well-versed in the operation of the brain so this may all be made up.
Anyhoo, the concept that a brain could get full made me wonder how much brain space I’ve wasted on movie lines or song lyrics or the intricacies of the law with regard to the now non-existent assault weapons ban. I’d hate to think I could no longer recall something that could be beneficial (such as what to do in the event I’m on fire – stop, drop and roll or duck and cover, not quite sure) but can gladly recite:
We went to a shopping mall
And laughed at all the shoppers
And security guards trailed us
To a record shop
We asked for Mojo Nixon
They said “He don’t work here”
We said “If you don’t got Mojo Nixon
Then your store could use some fixin'”
Any way, err . . . what was I talking about? Oh yeah, the brain.
I have this distinct memory from childhood that tractor trailer trucks were being driven by robots. It’s true. On a cross country trip when I was about six years old, I saw several 18 wheelers being driven by robots. I saw it, or at least think I did. Now, as an adult, I know that never happened. Was it my imagination? Did I dream it?
The wife works with head trauma/stroke patients. She’s told me tales (that are apparently common) wherein someone gets a head injury and can’t answer the questions What is your name? or Where do you live?. However, they can tell you all about what they were doing one warm sunny day, 20 years ago in vivid detail.
That brain, memory, and cognition. Tricky stuff.
August 26th, 2005 at 12:21 pm
Uh. Robots? You remember this? Were there any little gray aliens? Were you, uh, you know … probed? Never mind. In the end (oops!) I don’t want to know;)
Cool memory though.
August 26th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
Heh. active imagination, i guess.
August 26th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
The best theory I read goes like this:
The brain stores memories in various areas. The physical structure of the brain includes many folds and curves. When a neuron is fired to retrive a stored piece of information (a memory), the neuron may or may not travel perfectly to the spot where the memory is stored. But when it strikes, it causes a ripple effect, quite like a pebble on a calm body of water. The radiating waves of energy activate memories stored within the cell membranes and cause you to recall or remember things that are stored nearby.
No one has figured out the brain’s “indexing” system, so it is still a mystery why when trying to recall ‘A’, a person suddenly recalls something about ‘B’, ‘C’, or ‘D’. However, when the theory is put into use in the form of having a patient talk about any random topic, it can help “revive” old memories and experiences. These revived memories can be helpful in resolving a person’s inner conflict or in reconstructing events of the past. Hence the reason that therapy can be very helpful – all it takes is one neuron to activate one memory and a person will begin on the road to understanding, recovery, and – hopefully – a rewarding life.
No, I’ve never been in therapy – not me. I’m fine. Really. Juuuuust fiiiiinnnne.
As for your ‘robots’, consider this; The conscious mind and physical body cannot tell the difference between a real or imagined experience if it is visceral enough. A great story teller can weave a tale so rich and detailed that one believes it to be true (e.g. Tolkein). Hence the reason we can be lied to. But on the extreme, some hypnotized people have been shown to form scars from fake battles never fought, from opponents created from whole cloth.
The Mind is The Builder. Give it positive focus and you will radiate positive energy. And hence you will attract the same. Focus on the positive – find the ‘Silver Lining’. Surround yourself with positive people. Avoid the Eyore’s.
Here is something I remember from my 8 years in college.
A series of inter-personal / social-pressure tests were run. A group of 10 people were shown a photo of a blue ball in a room with green walls, wood floor, and white ceiling. The photo was shown on a projector screen, then shut off. 1 person in the group was the subject, the others were all plants.
In one set of tests, the subject was asked the color of the ball first. Nearly every time, the subject answered correctly.
In the other set of tests, the subject was asked the color of the ball last. But each of the plants had been instructed to answer that the ball was green, not blue. In these tests, over 80% of the subjects answered with the rest of the group – incorrectly.
The issue we discussed was the social aspect – did the subject answer incorrectly because the other people answered incorrectly in order to ‘get along’?
But the avenue we did not discuss was the mental issue – did the subject now truly believe that the ball was green? What would the subject’s answer be if queried privately later?
That would be great info to have.
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Hmm. I’ve written quite a bit. I think I’ll copy and paste. 🙂
In retrospect, this is a great example of a subject reviving a forgotten – albeit related – memory.
August 26th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Several jobs ago, my boss asked me to pick up a project he said I’d been working on a couple of years earlier. He described the project to me in pretty vivid detail, and I told him that there was no way I had worked on that project. It must have been someone else, because it wasn’t ringing any bells at all. The next day, he confronted me with a folder for that project containing seven pages of hand-written notes in my handwriting. I still didn’t remember any of it, although the evidence against me was pretty compelling.
Meanwhile, I still remember (in vivid detail) the 1970’s public service commercial where Don Quixote charges a windmill with a toothbrush to underscore the importance of brushing. “Teeeeth were meaaaant to laaast a liiiifetiiiiime!” Apart from my brother and sister, nobody else seems to remember this.
Also, does anyone else remember the cartoon carpooling commercial where they talk to the “original” carpooler, Noah (who called it “Kalaka”)? I still even remember most of the song:
Double up every morning
Double up goin’ home at night
Double up every day
It’s a better way
[don’t remember the line that ends with “together”]
Beats drivin’ alone