Another Book: Reading in the Brain

[keirsey]

When I stumbled upon Stanislas Dehaene again, on his new book Reading in the Brain, I was excited for his previous book, The Number Sense was very informative.

Despite my father's opinion about "medics," and having no interest in "observing" the brain, I have been following some of the progress regarding neurophysiology. Actually much of my life has been in arguing with my father regarding our vastly different experiences and interests. I started out as essentially a hard ass, science and math type, my father having had bad experiences in his very limited exposure to science and mathematics, provided a wide open field to run in when I was young. I eventually became an expert in "Artificial Intelligence" -- although I also learned a great deal about "Artificial Stupidity," as my father is an expert in "Natural Intelligence" and to a lesser degree "Natural Stupidity."

There has been a great deal of progress in "observing" the brain, with the fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery) being quite a revolutionary device so we can make interesting guesses and models of what is happening IN THE BRAIN and how does that relate to use of words and tools in the social field. Of course, one has to be very careful in making conclusions. I found Dehaene as being good at that, and finding other people's work to better understand and model what is going on. I even have been inspired in thinking about going back to my thesis -- Using Reasoning to Learning New Words -- based on what I realized from reading Dehaene's book.

[Narnia51483]

It seems like an applicable field of study (neurophysiology, that is) given your interest in temperament. I am on the side of the brain science that observes, speculates and is in awe of the brain as opposed to trying to change it through lobotomy and psychotropic drugs.

[stellarrenegade]

As a sensoid, observing the brain is much more palatable to me than simply creating theories about people. Most sociological theories (whether professional or amateur) seem like total bunk to me and a waste of valuable breath and thought.

Thankfully Keirsey theory seems much more empirical and sensible and based on common observations. The very first time I read a Keirsey type description I felt like I was hearing about a real person.

Yet I still feel as if KTT can receive a major boost through neurological study. It might be tough, at least at first, to find reasonable correlations, not the less since the brain is so complex. But I think there has to be since the temperaments seem to have such a strong basis in reality and really do seem hard-wired into us. Perhaps the four quadrants theory really does hold water?

Who knows. Incidentally one of the most famous neurological scientists of the late 19th century shared my last name, Fowler.

I'd just like to see it done. It would help me to concentrate on the concepts that much better.

[Goodrum]

Sounds like another fascinating book thankyou!

And this:

There has been a great deal of progress in "observing" the brain, with the fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery) being quite a revolutionary device so we can make interesting guesses and models of what is happening IN THE BRAIN and how does that relate to use of words and tools in the social field. Of course, one has to be very careful in making conclusions. I found Dehaene as being good at that, and finding other people's work to better understand and model what is going on. I even have been inspired in thinking about going back to my thesis -- Using Reasoning to Learning New Words -- based on what I realized from reading Dehaene's book

Reminded me of Daniel Dennett's observation of observations

It is commonly observed - but not commonly enough! - that our elders removed from their homes to hospital settings are put at a tremendous disadvantage, even though their basic bodily needs are well provided for. They often appear to be quite demented - to be utterly incapable of feeding, clothing, and washing themselves, let alone engaging in any activities of greater interest.

Often, however, if they are returned to their homes, they can manage quite well for themselves.

How do they do this?

Over the years, they have loaded their home environments with ultra familiar landmarks, triggers for habits, reminder of what to do, where to find the food, how to get dressed, where the telephone is, and so forth. An elder can be a veritable virtuoso of self-help in such a hugely overlearned world, in spite of his or her brain's increasing imperviousness to new bouts of learning... Taking them out of their homes is literally separating them from large parts of their minds - potentially just as devastating a development as undergoing brain surgery

[stellarrenegade]

Wow, Goodie, that's genius. I was just gonna conclude that they were being lazy.

[Quinta]

Yes, I think this is a good track. Personally I have experience with "Who's who of the brain and a couple of Louis Cozolino's books. The authors draw conclusions from neuroscience and explains how the different parts of the brain cooperate. Cozolino's books focuses mostly on the social brain.

These books don't take us into the relative strength of the different parts in a brain, as it varies from individual to individual. Making a hypothesis in line with KTT, there would be different configurations of strength in different individuals.

Especially the popularized "Who's who of the brain" allows me to think that this is possible.

I am mentioning this, because it strengthens the case when various sources are pointing towards similar conclusions.

[Goodrum]

...and yet there is more:

It is commonly observed - but not commonly enough! - that our elders removed from their homes to hospital settings are put at a tremendous disadvantage, even though their basic bodily needs are well provided for. They often appear to be quite demented - to be utterly incapable of feeding, clothing, and washing themselves, let alone engaging in any activities of greater interest.

Often, however, if they are returned to their homes, they can manage quite well for themselves

Those unfortunate enough to end up in "some" aged care places with ignorant medical staff thinking they know "best" and fingers forever tickling the chemical pill till, heaven help the individual that doesn't conform to aged care institutional life, can be commenced on mind altering drugs to settle them, to calm them, to make them fit in...it so reminds of what happens to the children that present to doctors for "their" behaviour modification.

With an ageing body the affects of the drugs can compound, have horrible side affects, so WAIT! lets give them more drug to combat the undesirable affects of THAT drug!

There is someone that has a quote somewhere about how you can tell the quality of our society? by the way we treat the young and the elderly. No, it's most vulnerable, I think I stuffed up the quote, can't find it's source just yet.

Although there is a slight shift to to try and improve things, in some places..it's tough going.