This is a fantastic post and one that I've had to read through a number of times to process some of the concepts I'm not familiar with however, the idea that we store information in the brain, like that of a computer is one that I have never been comfortable with (if this were so then I would be deleting some past encoding experiences!). I have also seen an increase in ads on TV promoting apps or websites that encourage users to 'reprogram' their brains. I understand their has been some scientific developments in understanding neuroplasticity but I think the jump straight into TV ads advising people that they can live happier lives via online games is somewhat pseudoscience. I could go into a vast philosophical rant but I'm keen to read your next post, thanks for sharing such an in depth article!
Thanks for reading! This, and parts 1 and 3, were part of a blog series that I wrote for theadvancedapes.com some time ago. I never kept up with it, because, well, blogging takes a lot of energy and time, neither of which I have enough of (or maybe I just don't have enough good ideas to keep my own and others' interest). My understanding of the world leads me to believe that we don't understand much of anything about the relationship of mind and brain. I study neural plasticity professionally, and I love it, but we shouldn't make a leap from synapse to mind so readily. There is a preponderance of evidence that disagrees with, and provides counterexample to, the reigning theory of mind (which is basically that one's thoughts and memories are dependent specific neural configurations). Anyway, if a vast philosophical rant is what this post inspires in you, I'd love to hear it!