Week 7 - Neuroscience + Art - Blake Kirshner

 Studying a topic such as neuroscience requires imagination, creativity, and intelligence (specifically in the early 20th century). Neuroscience is more than just the anatomy of the brain, it is consciousness of humanity in its whole. Consciousness is every thought, every feeling, and once understood people can really take control of their lives. Technology is developing so quickly that soon people will be able to scan their own brain in milliseconds, and be able to tell which parts of their brain activate when certain feelings are triggered. This is explained in the video below with Christopher deCharm's TED talk. 

Christopher claims that this new technology can be used to treat chronic pain without any injections or medication, just knowledge. One must ask, how could this ever be done without outside medication or assistance? Will people pay money in the future for medical surgery to remove certain parts of their brain associated with their chronic pain? The opportunities are endless, and in order to explore them, as I mentioned before, creativity must be harnessed. Where does art fit into this? Art is put on display through the technology of scientists taking the scan and putting it onto the screen where someone who isn't in their work field could understand it. Below is a photo of a brain scan with neurons firing. 

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Obviously this isn't nearly as detailed as deCharm was talking about, however my point is that chronic pain treatment through neuroscience discoveries cannot be chaired with art. Art is the centerpiece to sharing and improving worlds with every living being on planet earth. As you can see from the third photo, pain receptors and areas of the brain are all over, not just in one part. The implications for removing pain could also be very unwanted. 

Image / Video Citations 

1. Davis, K. D., Flor, H., Greely, H. T., Iannetti, G. D., Mackey, S., Ploner, M., Pustilnik, A., Tracey, I., Treede, R.-D., & Wager, T. D. (2017, September 8). Brain imaging tests for chronic pain: Medical, legal and ethical issues and recommendations. Nature News. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/nrneurol.2017.122 

2. M, E. (n.d.). Futuristic Blue Digital Brain Seamless Loop. neurons firing in MRI scan of Artificial Intelligence Neural Network. medical research of brain activity. Deep Learning, AI and modern technology 3D render motion background 00:10 SBV-337938072. Storyblocks. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.storyblocks.com/video/stock/futuristic-blue-digital-brain-seamless-loop-neurons-firing-in-mri-scan-of-artificial-intelligence-neural-network-medical-research-of-brain-activity-deep-learning-ai-and-modern-technology-3d-render-rp-3spg2rk37dj949 

3. deCharms, C. (n.d.). A look inside the brain in Real time. Christopher deCharms: A look inside the brain in real time | TED Talk. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_decharms_a_look_inside_the_brain_in_real_time?language=en 

Sources

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1. Nelson, R. (n.d.). Global consciousness project: Introduction. Princeton University. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://noosphere.princeton.edu/gcpintro.html 

2. Max, D. T. (2007, November 4). Swann's hypothesis. The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/books/review/Max-t.html 

3. Deutsch, D. (n.d.). A new way to explain explanation. David Deutsch: A new way to explain explanation | TED Talk. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.ted.com/talks/david_deutsch_a_new_way_to_explain_explanation?language=en 

4. Ramachandran, V. S. (n.d.). 3 clues to Understanding your brain. VS Ramachandran: 3 clues to understanding your brain | TED Talk. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.ted.com/talks/vs_ramachandran_3_clues_to_understanding_your_brain?language=en 

5. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, April 30). Schrödinger's Cat. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat