Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Thought And Memory

Thought and memory are both functions of the brain. Each of them uses nodes in what is a massive but finite biological environment. And so, as 21st-century neurophysiologists have confirmed, you can have thought or memory, but not often large amounts of both at the same time. And if you do have both in large amounts, social interaction is probably the next thing to go.

This is probably why Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology had two ravens named Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory) on his shoulders. And yet, even with those two powerful adjunct assistants, he could not see enough of Ragnarok to save his people or his world. He attempted sacrificing one eye (sensory deprivation can focus other modes of thought) and even hanging on the world-tree to the point of death (privation, ditto). Thought and Memory are insufficient in the end.

Thought and memory, sight and insight; the human brain encompasses the universe, and that not of itself.

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