I've liked Michio Kaku's books - my first being "The Physics of the Impossible" where he discusses degrees of impossibility (or improbability) and goes through various "mysteries" such as psychic abilities, and assesses their viability in the realm of possibility.
"The Future of the Mind" likewise covers current technology and neuroscience, but is unafraid of looking future-ward to see what possibilities lie ahead. Can we create a computer that exactly models the brain? If so, is it conscious? Do quantum processes affect (or create) consciousness? Do we have any basis for communication with alien species (e.g. do we share enough commonalities to have a framework for communication, or do the different evolutionary paths diverge enough that there is no common ground)?
Each chapter is relatively self contained, and provides enough background for the reader to understand the arguments given. The reader is not expected to remember the brain structures and their functions, that information is clearly explained in order to take the next leap (e.g. discussing feedback loops, the structures defined, and making a link to mental illness or increased intelligence).
All in all, a good and interesting read that stimulates dormant brain regions and provokes interesting hypotheses and discussions.
No comments:
Post a Comment