The Future Of The Mind: The Scientific Quest To Understand, Enhance, And Empower The Mind (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
This starts as a very interesting book that talks about the intricacies of our brain and the steps science is taking to unravel its mysteries but at the end of the book it just reads like a series of science fiction type conjectures better suited for a movie. I'm not saying it is not possible, it's just that being right about something that may happen centuries or millennia from now is equivalent to being wrong (especially considering I lean more to the side of common sense than to quantum mechanics). I still enjoyed most of the book. Very interesting book that in theory is about the brain but begins to devolve into many many branches - psychology of animals, behavior of artificial intelligence, realistic behavior of intelligent artificial life... Somewhat related to the power of the brain.Starts with a few chapters about the background of brain analyses, from early lobotomies to MRI equipment. Then quickly moves into cerebral functionality and the science behind hallucinogenics, brain damage, and savantism. Begins devolving into some very interesting highlights about scientific research into cerebral science - with early research that has shown success in reading / transmitting thoughts (with large MRI equipment, not quite portable or usable yet), dreams (by seeing which areas of the brain fire while sleeping), and even possibilities of telekinesis (theoretically possible). Talks a lot about science fiction which really could be possible, though not very practical - as the human brain can only generate ~20W of power, while possible to transmit thoughts and leverage objects, there physically is just not enough energy to do so. Goes into a great discussion about how he believes the brain had reached nearly its full capacity today - to generate more power or more functionality would require much more weight and this also need a stronger spine, larger skull, larger organs to support metabolism, larger birthing canal for mothers...At this point begins devolving into a much more hypothetical discussion about how to utilize the brain through use of robotic aids or iron man suits... Which leads to a large analysis of robotic development, ethics of artificial intelligence (if a robot follows an order from an evil person, is it his fault?), and alien life (why is the Hollywood assumption always that the aliens are hostile and more advanced than us). Very interesting book that begins with a fascinating topic then devolves into many non-sequiturs about telepathy and enhanced intelligence with a lot of ethical commentary about what are the greater implications of this for society were it to occur.
What do You think about The Future Of The Mind: The Scientific Quest To Understand, Enhance, And Empower The Mind (2014)?
Fairly easy to read and interesting to find out what scientists are learning about the brain.
—kyteecher
Ill be re-reading this soon. Once im done picking up the rest of my brain.
—ktee16
