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As being a first timer, I am exploring online for articles which could be of assistance to me. We don't have to do a thought experiment. You are commenting using your Google account. I especially remember finding his description of the Chinese Room thought experiment to be very insightful. Error rating book. In the epilogue, Dr. Want to Read saving…. Consciousness is effectively an idea factory -- that choice mental space dedicated to innovation, a key component of which is the discovery of deep structures within the contents of our awareness.

Bor's theory of consciousness says that consciousness emerged to guide our mind's attention and working memory, to help with storing, recalling and processing the patterns we perceive in the world around us. Share this: Facebook Twitter. In order to survive, primitive animals had to develop means of responding to the environment. However Daniel in the Ravenous Brain clearly proves how this is not the case and human consciousness is in fact not as hard to understand as is the common conception. Hardcover , pages. Yours is useful happy to have found it. Log in. The brain stem is essential for a person to wake up, while the thalamus acts as a hub, receiving neural inputs and sending outputs to other brain regions. He interjects personal vignettes throughout the book. Circular answers often result: if language is usually associated with consciousness, for instance, than maybe consciousness is for producing language.

That's where consciousness is. OK, I can live with that. Again, I am not convinced that this proposal completely slips the bonds of circularity — is innovation possible without awareness? We learn much along the way—e. Feb 26, Nick rated it really liked it. He also offers some fascinating explanations for a host of brain disorders: ADHD often due to a lack of sleep - which explains why it is eased by a stimulant like Ritulan , depression and schizophrenia. Bor reports on new approaches to treatment, including fresh views of underlying chemical causes of schizophrenia and on why meditation practices improve the level of consciousness in brain parts that in turn lessen amygdala activity, which is associated with irrational fear responses in people with anxiety disorders. Nov 05, Kelsey Breseman rated it really liked it Shelves: to-read-again.

It also handles language functions. Bor likes the analogy that consciousness is based on information processing in a manner similar to that of computers. Coffee is, once again, applauded because studies show that it prevents depression. He indirectly answers two question, 1 what is it about humans that make us different and 2 will computers ever think. This book gives scientific proof that that Dr. I think if he had been able to describe the workings of the brain in a scientifically accurate yet readily accessible manner in the early sections of the book, this book would have rated stars. Albeit having read different books on the subject of Consciousness in this one we can really feel that we're very near the complete definition of what it means. Bor reports on new approaches to treatment, including fresh views of underlying chemical causes of schizophrenia and on why meditation practices improve the level of consciousness in brain parts that in turn lessen amygdala activity, which is associated with irrati I especially find the first and the last two chapters interesting. Consciousness is effectively an idea factory -- that choice mental space dedicated to innovation, a key component of which is the discovery of deep structures within the contents of our awareness.

One of Aesop's fables involves a crow that finds a pitcher full of water. Bor has some rather extended analogies that might simplify some of the ideas--but some of these analogies just go too far, and tend to obfuscate these ideas. Although I generally avoid scientific books on the brain I find them rather intimidating to downright confusing , this one is worth your time as it explains complex processes in imaginative ways. You can read all about it, look up the wavelengths, use equipment to tell when that color is around, but you have no idea what color that bird is really seeing. Some experimenters tried a very similar setup for some rooks, and it turned out that the rooks actually performed a similar feat! Dennett claims we're all basically zombies running quick computer programs who don't participate in experience as much as we think we do. The central motif concerns the evolution of information processing and how human consciousness is a unique emergent property of information processing, attention, inferencing and cognition. It is often difficult to determine if a patient in an apparent vegetative state due to severe brain damage is truly unconscious. He does not hesitate to reject prior theories or understandings of consciousness—in particular, the view held for centuries that consciousness was in the realm of philosophy, especially the mind-body duality expounded by Rene Descartes. He tries to dismiss the philosophers with whom I tend to agree Thomas Nagel in "What is it like to be a Bat?

Pragmatic and to-the-point. The lasting information I got out of this book, however, was not of the theoretical models of conciousness but of the applications of technology to determine a person's state of conciousness and awareness. New York Times Bestseller. Email required Address never made public. The girl answered, "That's okay, Daddy. This is an easy read for a complex subject, one that will enlighten your understanding about who you are, and why you are. Keep me logged in. Aug 22, Arash Farzaneh rated it it was amazing.

Gives an in depth scientific overview of the nature of consciousness, how its relates to people with damaged brains and mental illness. Nov 05, Kelsey Breseman rated it really liked it Shelves: to-read-again. Mar 18, Lake Lady rated it liked it. Please sign up to continue. Friend Reviews. He interjects personal vignettes throughout the book. Already have an account? Bor uses the processes of evolution to describe how consciousness developed in humans.

Not only that, but up there in the goo there's no one giant cell - there's only a confederation of neurons that communicate a lot. Bor explains his theory by starting from zero, starting all the way down with genetic evolution. He smoothly balances expansive historical exploration with recent scientific research through stories of how various plant species are capable of migrating to locations throughout the world by means of air, water, and even via animals. Drawing on research published in the past 20 years, including some of his own, he presents a fresh view of consciousness in which chunking is its essential function. Some experimenters tried a very similar setup for some rooks, and it turned out that the rooks actually performed a similar feat! In mental illness the amygdala floods the frontal parietal causing unrealistic expectations in the person. Yet consciousness is subjective, personal, and famously difficult to examine: philosophers have for centuries declared this mental entity so mysterious as to be impenetrable to science. I learned quite a lot in the whole process and was quite impressed and pleased with the style and subject matter. May 25, Riccardo rated it liked it Shelves: filosofici , neuroscienze.

This is a complicated area of science that is difficult to define and understand even for those who are scientifically inclined. The Cortex forms an outer shell around the brain lobes. No Comments Yet. One example is the response of plants following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. I just don't share his optimism that science can completely explain consciousness. The central motif concerns the evolution of information processing and how human consciousness is a unique emergent property of information processing, attention, inferencing and cognition. True, his theory cannot be put to the test, but it does add an intriguing perspective to our growing understanding of how the human mind works. It is often difficult to determine if a patient in an apparent vegetative state due to severe brain damage is truly unconscious. By his definition of consciousness and what it takes to develop such an attribute, we can anticipate having robots with consciousness!

May 07, Michael rated it it was amazing. Send me weekly book recommendations and inside scoop. Name required. Pretending that knowing all the metadata about something is equivalent to experiencing it is demonstrably wrong. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. Consciousness is our gateway to experience: it enables us to recognize Van Gogh's starry skies, be enraptured by Beethoven's Fifth, and stand in awe of a snowcapped mountain. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. What we regard as mental illness may be an artifact of an individual trying to make sense of the world while having a significantly impaired ability to process information. The author does an excellent job of reviewing what is only recently becoming known about the field.

The title "The Ravenous Brain" refers to the human's insatiable appetite for finding structure in information. Retrieve credentials. He lost the slip of paper on which his new home address was written. I appreciated the authors syncretic use of source material; drawing on a diverse set of disciplines including neuroscience, physiology, anthropology and even philosophy to inform his discussion of consciousness. It is the area responsible for abstract thoughts. Pay Attention to That Pattern! I recommend this book for those who are interested in neuroscience, but do not have the desire to learn a new language filled with jargon. Great discussion of consciousness, a little mind bending, and fun to read an actual researcher's thoughts on it as opposed to a science journalist but still accessible, readable.

Medications for schizophrenics currently treat symptoms—not underlying dysfunctions in the brain. Celebrating Years of Discovery. Sign up for our email newsletter. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. In other words, the purpose of consciousness is to find structures, so that in the future the information can be used unconsciously. Of course, in varying degrees, all psychologists study consciousness: attention and working memory are core components of high-level conscious function. A controversial view of consciousness, The Ravenous Brain links cognition to creativity in an ingenious solution to one of science's biggest mysteries. Bor seems to think that by telling us about where brain activity is firing when we do different things he has explained consciousness. It's starting to make sense to me.

Bor makes a compelling case that whatever consciousness is, it is limited to the grey matter and energy up there. Author s :. Sep 01, Lee Dale rated it really liked it. Sign in. Bor presents a unique solution. But his arguments don't convince me and are, he admits, based to some extent on his own intuition. No Comments Yet. Name required. Send me weekly book recommendations and inside scoop. I know, I'm a dweeb and deserve to be shoved into my locker.

An excellent, informative and interesting read! This is her story, after all, and we are engaged beyond expectation as she relates her struggle in building and running laboratory after laboratory at the universities that have employed her. Pub Date: Aug. In fact one of my major complaints with this book is that it's not until somewhere in the middle that the author even tackles the sticky question of how to define consciousness at all. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Meditation can reverse stress and many mental illnesses. Why, for instance, after all our physical needs have been met, do we recreationally solve crossword or Sudoku puzzles? Bor suggests the power of meditation to try to retrieve some of that fresh insatiable state of mind that children have.

The idea that the function of consciousness is to draw our attention to, and make sense of, salient stimuli seems intuitive. Bor uses the processes of evolution to describe how consciousness developed in humans. This model explains our brains"; ravenous appetite for information -- and in particular, its constant search for patterns. I think if he had been able to describe the workings of the brain in a scientifically accurate yet readily accessible manner in the early sections of the book, this book would have rated stars. There are some fascinating anecdotes about scientific studies of animals. Already have an account? Started out with strong philosophical basics regarding consciousness and lead in to the scientific underpinnings of today's argument for a fairly pure materialistic definition of consciousness. Stanislaus Deahene for example wrote a book about cosciousness and he gives a definition within the first few pages. Pretending that knowing all the metadata about something is equivalent to experiencing it is demonstrably wrong.

Sep 07, Sabin rated it really liked it Shelves: listened-to , non-fiction. Daniel Bor. Such behavior may appear biologically wasteful, but, according to Bor, this search for structure can yield immense evolutionary benefits -- it led our ancestors to discover fire and farming, pushed modern society to forge ahead in science and technology, and guides each one of us to understand and control the world around us. I learned quite a lot in the whole process and was quite impressed and pleased with the style and subject matter. He talks about how awareness of intention comes up to a third of a second after brain activity shows one is gearing up for movement specifically, before people whose brain waves were being monitored "decided" to move a finger, their brain had started the process. The amygdala is a primitive fear center allowing for instant reaction to threats before any thought processes kick in. He discusses this for quite a while, before making the analogy with organisms who reproduce offspring with slight modifications, some of which are useful innovations, while others are likely to be harmful. Scientists have grappled with an understanding of the nature of consciousness for a long time, so any new thesis is often greeted with degree of skepticism. It is such a difficult concept and we have so far to go before we understand it well. Descartes receives special scrutiny.

So consciousness, if we accept it exists, must constantly dance among neurons. The last two chapters are relevant regarding the treatment of mental conditions like autism, schizophrenia, ADHD and mood disorders depression and bipolar disorder. In The Ravenous Brain , neuroscientist Daniel Bor departs sharply from this historical view, and builds on the latest research to propose a new model for how consciousness works. Yet consciousness is subjective, personal, and famously difficult to examine: philosophers have for centuries declared this mental entity so mysterious as to be impenetrable to science. I don't want to drop the subject. Bor is a very clear writer and is quite frank about his own view that the brain can completely account for all aspects of consciousness. Then it decides to drop lots of pebbles into the pitcher, raising the water level to where it can drink. A patient is placed in an fMRI machine and presented with various sounds including spoken sentences while a brain scan takes place.

Refresh and try again. Trivia About The Ravenous Brai He also makes a good argument for the benefits of meditation. There is no mind separate from the matter and energy in our universe, according to him. Consciousness And Unicells Cultures Nov 19, Aaron rated it liked it Shelves: audiobooks. Nicely narrated. Get A Copy. Although consciousness has provided man with advanced powers to process information, he points out that everyone to varying degrees are both the beneficiaries and the victims of our own consciousness. Really enjoyed this.

He indirectly answers two question, 1 what is it about humans that make us different and 2 will computers ever think. Multiple objects, sights, sounds, smells and feelings can be grouped together to give rise to a scene or memory. Already have an account? Average rating 3. Celebrating Years of Discovery. Sign In See Subscription Options. Bor argues that this brain-based faculty evolved as an accelerated knowledge gathering tool. What we regard as mental illness may be an artifact of an individual trying to make sense of the world while having a significantly impaired ability to process information. Reblogged this on michaelfunblog.

What we regard as mental illness may be an artifact of an individual trying to make sense of the world while having a significantly impaired ability to process information. He lost the slip of paper on which his new home address was written. Get A Copy. Bor argues that this brain-based faculty evolved as an accelerated knowledge gathering tool. Bor discusses the significance of the emerging science of consciousness. The title "The Ravenous Brain" refers to the human's insatiable appetite for finding structure in information. Really enjoyed reading this. Community Reviews. Celebrating Years of Discovery. So all kinds of cool stuff.

Bor's book is the best one I have read yet on this topic and I highly recommend to anyone interested in the brain, ethics, and what makes humans human. It describes the problems, explains why they happen and then offers cheap easy solutions. He discusses this for quite a while, before making the analogy with organisms who reproduce offspring with slight modifications, some of which are useful innovations, while others are likely to be harmful. I enjoyed the other books, but this one makes me believe that people way smarter than me are getting close to answering those two questions and discovering the real nature of consciousness. Details if other :. An excellent, informative and interesting read! But the sheer innovative power of human consciousness carries with it the heavy cost of mental fragility. Still, I'm happy to agree with his fairly spirited defense of trying to investigate and learn about anything you can, going ahead with experiments even if you only have hunches and intuitions to inspire them.

David Olle. OK, I disagree, but I can live with the claim - he gets the question. Nov 19, Aaron rated it liked it Shelves: audiobooks. Yours is useful happy to have found it. About Daniel Bor. Advances in science and medicine seem to be moving that debate out of the purely philosophical realm and into the concrete world of measurement and quantitativeness if that's a word, which spell-check says is not , so I was looking forward to reading up on the latest findings. I learned quite a lot in the whole process and was quite impressed and pleased with the style and subject matter. Bor has some rather extended analogies that might simplify some of the ideas--but some of these analogies just go too far, and tend to obfuscate these ideas.

He smoothly balances expansive historical exploration with recent scientific research through stories of how various plant species are capable of migrating to locations throughout the world by means of air, water, and even via animals. Bor's theory of consciousness says that consciousness emerged to guide our mind's attention and working memory, to help with storing, recalling and processing the patterns we perceive in the world around us. As I remember reading somewhere, "not next week, not next year, not ever. Nov 19, Aaron rated it liked it Shelves: audiobooks. He also ignores the whole problem of the circularity inherent in using consciousness to understand itself. Good book if you want to get an overview of the state of the art of the science of awareness. Bor uses the processes of evolution to describe how consciousness developed in humans. He discusses this for quite a while, before making the analogy with organisms who reproduce offspring with slight modifications, some of which are useful innovations, while others are likely to be harmful. Bor on the side of the mechanistic view of conciousness and of the brain as a computational machine. I recommend this book for those who are interested in neuroscience, but do not have the desire to learn a new language filled with jargon.

Over years of practice, regular meditation seems to permanently change the prefrontal parietal network while reducing the activity of the amygdala. Bor presents a unique solution. Email required Address never made public. Schizophrenics also have a dysfunctional prefrontal cortex and inadequate working memory; however, contrary to ADHD patients, schizophrenics strive to discover hidden structures within their flawed consciousness stream, leading to delusions and hallucinations. Aug 17, David rated it it was amazing Shelves: biology , science , psychology. However Daniel in the Ravenous Brain clearly proves how this is not the case and human consciousness is in fact not as hard to understand as is the common conception. He also offers some fascinating explanations for a host of brain disorders: ADHD often due to a lack of sleep - which explains why it is eased by a stimulant like Ritulan , depression and schizophrenia. He inserts some of his personal experiences in an fMRI machine, which give the book a nice touch. These theories all have to do with the exchange of information across a dense network.

This is her story, after all, and we are engaged beyond expectation as she relates her struggle in building and running laboratory after laboratory at the universities that have employed her. Mancuso also tracks the journeys of several species that might be regarded as invasive. I don't want to drop the subject. However, after two weeks I've on I'm fascinated by the debate over where consciousness resides: am "I" something external and independent of the physical vessel I reside in, or instead just the product of neural activity? Consciousness is effectively an idea factory -- that choice mental space dedicated to innovation, a key component of which is the discovery of deep structures within the contents of our awareness. I didn't finish this book. Review Posted Online: Jan. That's where consciousness is.

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Contrary to researchers who try to detect particular regions of the brain that become active during conscious thought, Dr. At times dense and unforgiving, but a valiant effort to haul the study of consciousness out of the realm of myth and conjecture. The highly focused attention of autistics leads many to become highly talented in specialized areas. After an opening chapter dismissing many philosophical debates, Bor turns to the evolutionary background of consciousness, which he describes as a certain kind of processing of information that captures useful patterns in the environment. Not hypothetically wrong. View 2 comments. Dec 24, Eva rated it really liked it Shelves: non-fiction , kindle , mind , He indirectly answers two question, 1 what is it about humans that make us different and 2 will computers ever think.

We don't have to do a thought experiment. One example is the response of plants following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Share this: Facebook Twitter. Bor describes the anatomy of the brain in relation to that evolutionary development. Dec 04, Arminius rated it it was amazing Shelves: nook-book , science. Bor on the side of the mechanistic view of conciousness and of the brain as a computational machine. Mancuso also tracks the journeys of several species that might be regarded as invasive. He does explain a lot - he talks about what areas of brains light up when we think about different things.

The author is also an ardent supporter of meditation and a lesser supporter of medication. Various autism diagnoses might be helpfully thought of as being overly conscious - being too aware of everything going on around and inside one's head and not being able to squelch enough of it to get anything done. He also makes a good argument for the benefits of meditation. The Occipital lobe is responsible for our vision. They often continue to thrive in spite of dire obstacles and environments. All mental illnesses, he argues, can be reformulated as disorders of consciousness -- a perspective that opens up new avenues of treatment for alleviating mental suffering. Yet consciousness is subjective, personal, and famously difficult to examine. Nov 19, Aaron rated it liked it Shelves: audiobooks. Jul 22, Gary Beauregard Bottomley rated it really liked it.

To ask other readers questions about The Ravenous Brain , please sign up. He talks about how awareness of intention comes up to a third of a second after brain activity shows one is gearing up for movement specifically, before people whose brain waves were being monitored "decided" to move a finger, their brain had started the process. Sign In See Subscription Options. The book stands as a celebration of frontal lobe prowess and the beauty of our powerful pattern finding minds. Sign up for our email newsletter. Jul 26, Akhil Munjal rated it it was amazing. Our conscious is such an interesting topic. It is often difficult to determine if a patient in an apparent vegetative state due to severe brain damage is truly unconscious.

Bor sets the framework for his understanding of consciousness in the Introduction, then further developed in subsequent chapters. Bor makes a strong case for the value of meditation to help alleviate mental illness or stress, shown to create beneficial changes in the prefrontal parietal network, as well as improvements in attentional tasks and working-memory skills. Various autism diagnoses might be helpfully thought of as being overly conscious - being too aware of everything going on around and inside one's head and not being able to squelch enough of it to get anything done. But he says she does know what red really is, so let's drop the subject. When humans experience stress the amygdala a set of neurons which control emotions and stress increase in production. Such behavior may appear biologically wasteful, but, according to Bor, this search for structure can yield immense evolutionary benefits -- it led our ancestors to discover fire and farming, pushed modern society to forge ahead in science and technology, and guides each one of us to understand and control the world around us. Multiple objects, sights, sounds, smells and feelings can be grouped together to give rise to a scene or memory. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here It is responsible for sensory perception, coordination and motor control.