Despite what one might conclude from listening to talk radio or from reading our local paper’s editorial cartoons, it turns out that the brain is pretty complicated. Of course scientists have known this for decades. Example: A man endures a horrific industrial accident that lodges an iron spike into his frontal lobe, and from that point on he believes that all cats are really shopping carts. Okay, I made that up. Or he might start to believe that crocs are ridiculous footwear. Okay, that’s true whether or not one has a spike lodged in one’s brain. Let’s not lose focus of the main point, which is that tweaking (or inserting a spike into) the brain reveals how the “self” is knitted together--if it is not altogether illusory—by the interaction of a host of separate parts of the brain.
Here’s an interesting example taken from a book I read recently. A guy suffers a terrible accident (or surgery) that severs his corpus callosum, the part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres. The two spheres each have different functions, and the corpus callosum is the text messaging mechanism between the two halves. Scientists thought it would be revealing to see what life is like for a guy whose two perfectly functioning hemispheres do not communicate with one another. So the scientists decided to have some fun with him. Or should I say with “them.” Because it turns out there were at least two dudes in this guy’s brain.
They covered one of the guy’s eyes and asked him to read a note that told him to “leave the room.” The other side of the brain, the side that deals with purpose and meaning, was left in the dark because its corresponding eye was covered. The man obeyed the note as instructed, but as he was walking out the door the scientists asked the man why he was leaving. And without missing a bloody beat the guy said, “to get a coke.” And the guy believed what he was saying. In other words, the part of the brain that came up with reasons for action acted independently of what actually prompted him to act. The justification came after the action, and yet the self felt like the decision came ahead of time. The scientists concluded that the brain is a remarkably good b.s. artist, and the chief person being b.s’d is ourselves.
Which pretty much rings true for me.
Here’s an interesting example taken from a book I read recently. A guy suffers a terrible accident (or surgery) that severs his corpus callosum, the part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres. The two spheres each have different functions, and the corpus callosum is the text messaging mechanism between the two halves. Scientists thought it would be revealing to see what life is like for a guy whose two perfectly functioning hemispheres do not communicate with one another. So the scientists decided to have some fun with him. Or should I say with “them.” Because it turns out there were at least two dudes in this guy’s brain.
They covered one of the guy’s eyes and asked him to read a note that told him to “leave the room.” The other side of the brain, the side that deals with purpose and meaning, was left in the dark because its corresponding eye was covered. The man obeyed the note as instructed, but as he was walking out the door the scientists asked the man why he was leaving. And without missing a bloody beat the guy said, “to get a coke.” And the guy believed what he was saying. In other words, the part of the brain that came up with reasons for action acted independently of what actually prompted him to act. The justification came after the action, and yet the self felt like the decision came ahead of time. The scientists concluded that the brain is a remarkably good b.s. artist, and the chief person being b.s’d is ourselves.
Which pretty much rings true for me.
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8 comments:
Very cool. How many shots did it take to get your eye in the perfect spot?
I took two shots. The other one made me look more menacing.
And more bearded. That showed up more, too.
Where oh where did my little blog go
Oh where oh where did it go
With its photos artistic and writings holistic
Oh where oh where can it be
i'm out of town and out of internet access (except the public library). i'm caring for my dad, who had hip-replacement surgery on wednesday.
but i have lots of good NY NY pics ready to be loaded up when i get back in a week or two.
brains are nifty. plus they can make you forget where your keys are while simultaneously knowing the longest word in the English language that isn't a disease or medical jargon.
*floccinaucinihilipilification.
if you were wondering.
I wasn't wondering but now I wonder what it means. because it sounds pretty medical. it sounds like the official term for passing coffee through your noise while chortling with laughter.
thanks for the comment, nicole. i'll check out your blog when i have a chance.
I think brains are great at rationalizing what they don't quite get. Case in point: just look at a sign or printed word quickly and then look again. Sometimes your eye just catches a couple of letters and you could have sworn that the sign said swimming when it really said swinging.
that's for sure. that kind of thing happens all the time, doesn't it?
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