X-Message-Number: 25321 From: Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 10:20:18 EST Subject: Split brain research interesting --147.3b29988f_alt_bound In a message dated 12/14/2004 5:01:40 AM Eastern Standard Time, writes: > For those unfamiliar with this line of research, surgical > commissurotimies (severing of the corpus callosum) have been peformed > to ameliorate severe seizure disorders. The brain's hemispheres of > those patients were unable to communicate about anything except for low > level informtion through the brain stem. Researchers like Gazzaniga > were interested in how the hemispheres differed. The most surprising > consequence was that, on casual inspection, the patients didn't seem to > act very differently at all. But upon closer inspection, very > significant difference were identified. > > (snipping rest of post) (Rudi writing) Thanks, Scott, for a fascinating insight on consciousness and research. Complete with references. I had read of this phenomena earlier, perhaps in Discover, Skeptical Inquirer, or Scientific American. Even more likely it may have been in Steven Pinker's fantastic and fascinating book, "The Blank Slate." (Of course, in the book, he provides multiple evidences that we are far from "Blank slates," and indeed, hard wired for all sorts of behaviors.) What I find helpful in Scott's posting is the empiricism of current brain research, contrasted with the "etherearalness" and nonprovability of the numerous thought experiments referenced. Not that thought experiments are not a valuable excersize...it is my understanding that much of Einstein's insights came as a result of thought experiments, which were completely untestable in the "real" world. I do not intend to weigh in on the highly relevant and foundational questions posed on Cryonet as of late, as I honestly don't feel I have the time to give these postings the input they deserve, and brighter brains than mine are already taking up much Cryonet bandwidth. So, while we may not be sure what constitutes our QE or sense of self, it certainly SEEMS like something inside of me is authentic, makes decisions, and experiences pleasure, pain, joy, anxiety, etc. And it is my mission in life to help folks make decisions NOW that MAY...certainly no guarantee...help preserve this sense of self for the year 16,354 CE. I have it on the best authority that this is going to be a very special year. And none of us will want to miss it. :) For Centuries, See you in "Hoffman's year" of 16,354! Rudi --147.3b29988f_alt_bound Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" [ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25321