Brainwave Encephalogram

Memory in humans is the function by which we reconstruct past experiences and retain information. The properties and operation of memory has been studied for as long as mankind has existed. Philosophers, psychologist, psychiatrist and several other related disciplines have conducted studies on the processes involved in the operation of memory.

Simply put, memory is a concept that refers to the process and function of remembering. It is the sum total of what we remember and makes it possible for us to learn and adapt. Memory is the storehouse of things we have learned and retained from the act of living.

Memory is the recreation or reliving of past experiences created by the synchronous firing of neural connections in the brain.

In the past, memory has been thought of as a filing cabinet filled with individual memory folders in which experiences and information are stored.

The human memory plays an important part in the function and development of relationships. We know and remember the members of our families—both close and distant relatives. Society is rife with rules, laws and standards of behavior. Humans are able to function in society because of our memories. You can do your job because you remember your training and experience and you are able to connect memory to challenges and you are therefore able to perform you duties as an employee.

Memory also plays an important role in the psychological development of the human mind and psyche. Memories of past negative experiences often are the basis for current behavior.

Memories can be real or imagined. Hallucinations– whether the result of disease, aging or artificially induced by drugs—are often perceived as real experiences. In many cultures, these visions or hallucinations are taken as signs from the deceased or from whatever god you happen to believe in at the time.

The study of memory dates back to the time of the great philosopher Aristotle (384—322 B.C.E.). Aristotle wrote a paper on memory entitled “On the Soul” wherein he compared the human mind to a blank slate and concluded that the human mind is really born free of any knowledge and from birth begins collecting experiences as memories.

As computer technology developed during the ‘50s and ‘60s, the similarities between computer and brain processes became clear. This model has proven effective in explaining the operation of the mind and that of the computer. This model continues today in both hardware design and software programming even today.

Human memory has been the subject of many scientific studies over the years. These investigations have discovered that the human mind is capable of amazing recall and that we are just beginning to understand the function of memory in the areas of learning, aging and mental health.

Sources:

http://plato.stanford.edu

http://science.howstuffworks.com

http://www.human-memory.net/

Disaster Kits

Are you prepared for a fire emergency?

In mere seconds, a small fire can get completely out of control. In minutes, a house can be filled with thick, black smoke and your home can be fully engulfed in flames.

For the safety and well-being of your family, it is important that you be prepared for just such a possibility. Thinking and planning beforehand will help you to avoid needless injury and possibly death. By taking a few steps to prepare, your family will have a better chance of surviving a fire disaster.

The following information will help you in preparing a plan of action for a fire emergency.

1.  Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including basement and attic. Be sure to install smoke alarms inside each bedroom and adjacent hallways.
2. Test smoke alarms each month and change the batteries once a year.
3. Replace old smoke alarms every 8 to 10 years.
4. Plan an escape route. Include alternate routes in case one route is blocked by fire.
5. Perform a fire drill every three months so that all family members are familiar with the main escape route and all alternative escape routes. Practice following escape routes with your eyes closed until routes can be followed even when filled with smoke.
6. If you have more than one level to your home, buy and install collapsible escape ladders that are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved.
7. Check windows regularly to make sure they are not stuck or painted shut. Make sure screens can be easily removed. Use only security window bars that can be released and opened from the inside.

These steps and preparations will help you and your family be prepared for the possibility of a home fire emergency.

Accelerate Your Self-Development

The eye is an organ for perceiving light.

Millions of wise and learned men have pondered the question of reality for millions of years. Some consider reality to be the results of the perceptions of the senses. Man experiences reality through his interaction with and reaction to events and objects within his environment.

One person might look at an object and perceive it as out of focus or blurred because of distortions caused by the condition of the eyes. Another person might be eight- long or short-sighted,  resulting in an image that does not truthfully depitc the objecct. Another person might be color blind and perceive colors quite differently.

Even the sounds that we hear and the objects we touch can result in altered or imagined perceptions of objects as detected by the senses.

Another way to understand reality is to observe that the realities of the rich and the poor are quite different. The reality of an unemployed person is different from that of a homeless man.

Reality is so closely tied to the perceptions of the senses that reality must be reduced to a subjective assessment of a physical stimulus.

Reality is often thought of in the context of space. That is, whatever is going on around us at the moment is our reality. This might well be understating the matter, but for the sake of simplicity, let’s use this definition for the moment.

Each person, animal, tree, flower has things going on around it at all times. Does this mean that a tree has a reality somehow connected to the real existence of a man? That is to say, are they mutually inclusive. If the man has a tree in his reality, then the tree must therefore have the existence of the man in its reality.

One of the most important questions on the subject of reality is, Just what is reality made of? The only thing real about reality is our perception of it. For centuries, scientists believed that nothing was real, except for thoughts and ideas which were believed to be what all things are made of. Matter itself was notthought of as being existent or non-existent. Matter was viewed as merely a thought or a concentrated bit of information.

Reality can be viewed as both solid and, at the same time, insubstantial. That is to say, when we are interacting with it, reality is solid or real. But when we are not interacting with it, it becomes less substantial—a non-physical probability. This concept is similar to the Wave-Particle theory, which states. “When you are observing or measuring reality, it will be a particle of experience. When you are not observing or measuring it, reality is a wave of possibility.”

However we view reality—as something solid or as something that is insubstantial and therefore non-existent, it cannot be denied that there exists a reality in the life every person, plant or object in space.

It is through our senses that we detect and observe the things in our environment. Therefore reality must of necessity be comprised of the physical object and the attendant idea of the object.

And it is through the perceptions of the senses and the interpretations and functions of the mind, that reality can best be unsersstood

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality

http://www.whatismetaphysics.com/scientificviewofreality.html

http://www.tomgraves.org/3science

The question of mind has perplexed man for thousands of years. It is very difficult to define something that cannot be described or defined in any simple way. Defining mind can be as much of an intellectualy acrobatic challenge as describing the complex, and mysterious ways in which the mind works.

The question of mind often begins with the brain. The brain controls bodily functions by way of an intricate network of transmitters and receptors. And, of course, there are the electrical impulses that act as the current that keeps everything working properly.

Starting any discussion of mind with a discussion of the brain would do little to advance our understanding of mind. Who said that the mind resides in the brain anyway? Maybe the mind is the whole of the physical and other-than-physical part of the human being.

Mind is one of those paradoxes where the more you observe it, or try to measure it, the more you affect its state. It’s kind of like the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle—the act of observing affects the location and state of an atom of a particle.

In the case of mind, the act of reflecting on mind actualyl is a function of mind. But the study of the function of the mind has given birth to many disciplines from psychiatry to learning.  The study of the mind has given rise to many businesses that purport to help you to relax and to control the functions of the mind and the body in an attempt to broaden one’s intellect and learn to slow down and live.

The mind includes many functions from memory to aging.  Scientist study the mind in an effort to understand mental disorders.  Chemical imbalances often lead to mental and emotional dysfunction.  Psychiatry attempts to treat emotional and mental dysfunction by prescribing medicines that restore those chemical imbalances to normal levels.

Any discussion of mind must also include beliefs—both religious and otherwise—and religion. There are many religions that promote the idea of the integration of mind and body, and the self and the environment. That is to say that the body often manifests illness because of a misalignment if thoughts and the resultnt effects this has on the body.

As we soon realize, any discussion of mind encompasses many areas of life. The mind can be viewed simplistically as a matrix that functions to integrate the physical body, the environment,the thought processes and the emotions.

The mind has been considered as without limit—extending from person to person and from life to its environment. This boundless entity called mind is indeed the final frontier. Once man understands the functions and purpose of mind, mankind will come to realize its full and unlimited potential.

To the question, “What is mind,” there is no definitive answer. But the simple act of reflection on mind can lead to a better understanding of life at both the physical and other-than physical level.

It is impossible to tell when or where the next disaster might strike. Natural phenomenon like tornadoes, floods, hurricanes occur with such regularity and such frequency that it is important to prepare your family for survival.

Beyond the fear of the occurrence of natural disasters, there is always that simmering possibility for the breakdown of society. We’ve seen it before. Civil wars are razing around the world. What makes you think it couldn’t happen here?

If you think that m intent is to frighten you, you may be right. Sometimes it takes a good healthy dose of reality to clear the mind—set the thinking processes in motion.

Preparing for any disaster starts with a pan. It is best to write this plan down and have every member of the family commit the plan to memory.

Writing the plan down first, gives it physical substance. You can write down more than you can just remember. Draw out escape routes and establish a meeting place for all members of the family.

Cell phone, radio and television and other lines of communication might be out of service. So the most important communication tool you might want to consider is a set of walkie-talkies. These sets are inexpensive and sometimes have a range of three miles or more.

Immediately after a disaster, you will need to assess the size of the disaster. Does it cover a few city blocks or is does it cover the whole city or region?

One member of the family might be responsible for traveling to survey the damage. With a walkie-talkie, he or she can give immediate assessments of ongoing threats or rescue and recovery efforts already underway.

Your disaster preparedness plan must include certain basic items and supplies that will be absolutely essential to surviving an emergency situation.

A basic emergency supply kit should include the following:

• Water. Provide at least 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation purposes.
• Food. Provide at least a 3 day supply of food for each person in your party.
• Flashlights and batteries. Provide several for extended periods. You never know how long the emergency will last.
• Battery powered, solar, or hand cranked radio with NOAA Weather capability to stay abreast of weather developments.
• First aid kit. Purchase or assemble basic medical supplies like bandages, antiseptic, water purification tablets, splints, etc.
• Manually operated can opener. Survival knife, rope.
• Basic tools. Screw drivers, pliers, wrenches duct tape, electrical tape. Tool kit should be packaged separately from other supplies and easily accessible.
• Maps. A collection of local area maps will become indispensable if you need to move your group to locations for rescue/recovery.
• Solar powered charging kits for cell phones flashlight batteries, walkie-talkies and other communications equipment.

This is a partial list of the basics that you will need in the event of a disaster. Planning beforehand will enable you to tailor your needs to the number of members of your group, any pre-existing medical conditions and other contingencies.

 
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Cross

It’s funny how impending death can really light a fire under the old muse. For years I have called myself a writer (more to myself than to anybody else.) Let’s just say I’ve dabbled in the arts, though with little financial success. A couple bucks here and there for a 500 or so word article published by a website wasn’t really so bad.

I could whip out four or five articles in a couple of hours and be able to take my wife out for a nice steak and lobster dinner.

It was the good life, for me. I was not obligated to produce so; I set my own pace, writing about whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to do it. Over the years, I also fumbled miserably at writing long fiction. I have written the first and second drafts of two or three such tomes. But it never really got into the air.

From time to time I would fancy myself the next Stephen King or Clive Barker or Dean Koontz. The feeling only lasted a little while but it was a good feeling. During those moments of inspiration I would invariable write hundreds of pages to later throw them into the trash. This was valuable for me, though. It helped build my stamina a find and refine my voice. I have no regrets about my writing experience. None at all.

Upon recently learning that I have perhaps six more months to live, I became suddenly inspired to go out I a blaze of glory, so to speak. Anyway, this idea occurred to me. Maybe I could write a book about dying from a first hand experience.

I could maybe sell the idea to a publisher. I could bring my primary care physician into the picture to explain the more technical parts about what happens when you die. Maybe I could get a ghost writer to do the job.