Unlock the Journey

Digital Brain - Is the internet replacing the human brain?

2011-10-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

A difficult question arises. What’s your first move? If you’re like me, you’ll grab your laptop, or pull out your smart phone and search for the answer to the question. It kind of makes you wonder how we got by without the internet. And an even bigger question to ponder; how is this affecting the strength of my brain? Is the internet dumbing down our cognitive processing power? By jumping straight to the internet, are we taking the easy road and using the internet in place of our own memory?

I wonder if these same questions arose with the invention of the calculator. In a way, it’s very similar to running to the internet for answers. Instead of going through the mathematical equations in our brains, we simply punch in the numbers and voila; instant results. Now obviously the internet far exceeds the calculator (in fact, by entering most equations in Google, you can get the answer using Google’s Calculator feature), but the concept is basically the same. We’re putting our minds to rest and relying on technology to give us the answers instead.

So is it a bad thing to let technology do the thinking for us? Is this truly damaging our brains? Are we at the beginning stages of a world ruled by technology like many science fiction films portray? It may not be as bad as we think. Columbia University psychologist Betsy Sparrow performed a study that tested the information retention of several subjects. The subjects were given certain bits of information, afterwards a message would display letting the subject know what folder the information was stored in. After the study, it was found that the subjects could remember where the information was stored, but often could not remember the information itself. I know that I can personally relate to this study. I have all of my information sorted on my own computer, as well as documents stored in online databases like www.dropbox.com. I also have bookmarks and tabs in my browser to resources that I use regularly. I know exactly where they are and what each one provides. In addition to the resources I save externally, I also save a list of websites that I know are valuable resources internally, in my brain (www.google.com to name one). So perhaps it’s not that we’ve become lazy-brained, maybe we’ve just found a better use for our memory. Knowing your way around the resources of the internet can expand your understandings of just about anything, far better than going to a library or even relying on a knowledgeable person. Because in person you’re only communicating with one, but online you have the option of seeking multiple sources, most with credentials that are available online.

The internet has truly reshaped the way we retrieve and retain knowledge. The very words I’m writing in this article are built from my interpretation of information and knowledge I’ve acquired from the internet. The information was found using my preferred search engine and the links have been provided below so that you can retain this information as well, if you so choose. As our technology has evolved from simple calculations to a World Wide Web of information, it may bring one to ask, “What can we expect next?” It’s believed that by 2020 we could have a computer with the processing power of the human brain – as of June 2011, the Japanese company Fujitsu produced a computer capable of about 40% the processing power of a human brain called K Computer - and possibly by 2055 we’ll have a personal computer with the processing power of all human brains. Is that a scary thought?

Are you embracing the future of information or do you fear the overwhelming power of a computer brain? If you have an opinion on this subject, please share in a comment on this post.

Sources:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=internet-transactive-memory

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/tech/k/

What I know / Don't Know

2010-11-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

There are many things I know, but still many things that I may never be able to fully understand.

As I walked into work today, I focused on the full moon. Wearing my glasses I was able to see the fine details in the moon. It’s still very new to me, although the moon has always been there, I can see it in a new way. Through my life, I’ve always know the sun was there, the moon at night, and the stars. It never really hit me what I was looking at until recently in my life. This glowing thing in the sky is far far away from me, and the only knowledge I have of it is built by other people’s observations and research. As far as my senses are concerned, they are just dots in the sky or a big lamp and night light. There are still many things in this world that I haven’t learned with my own senses, but I’ve read about it like different cultures, extreme poverty, the surface of the moon, the weight of gold, underground rivers, an iceberg, the list goes on.

I know how grass is cut, I know how bricks are laid, I know how electricity is run, I know how signs are produced and channel letters hung, I know how brochures and flyers are set up and produced, I know that woodwind instruments produce unique sounds through their shapes, and I know that guitars emit different sounds through different sized strings and compressed lengths, I know how to jump, run, handstand, I know how to create with wood, I know that back flips are possible once fear is surpassed, I know how light reflects off of molecules and bounces back to our eyes, I know the resistance of gravity and just how much force it takes to jump over an obstacle. . . . these things are confirmed by my senses and are fully understood.

I know that wireless technology works, I know that computers work, I know that satellites in orbit exist and make my satellite radio work, I know that cell towers allow me to contact anyone by inputting a code, I know that lasers read CD’s that hold information, . . . but I don’t fully understand it.

I know how to care for myself and my children, I know what makes my wife happy, I know what makes people happy, I know what makes people sad, I know how a divorced heart aches, I know how an addict thinks, I know how it feels to be a father, I know how to sin, I know how to be real, I know how to act like I have it all together, I know myself . . . to an extent, I know only what I can see on the surface of others through my senses . . . but I don’t fully understand people.

I don’t know if there is a spirit world, I don’t know why I do things I don’t want to do, I don’t know if there is a God, I don’t know if there is life outside of earth, I don’t know if asteroids and meteors are real, I don’t know if there are really other planets in our solar system, I don’t know that there are other continents on this Earth . . . these are all things that I’ve never sensed, but I have been taught about them and have even seen these things in pictures and video.

My reality is defined through what I know and what I don’t know. It’s what I don’t know that intrigues me so much, and causes me to look deeper into life. Will I ever know the answer to these questions? Some maybe not, but I do know that if I ignore them, I will be wasting my time. What better purpose is there in life than to pursue what you don’t know? Otherwise you will become stagnant and float through life, living as if you had all the time in the world. But the truth is, we don’t, there is a limit to our lives here on Earth and in the time we exist, we must capture the moment and seek the unknown.

What do you know? Better yet, what don't you know?

Social Traps

2010-04-23T01:10:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine at work made a comment the other day that pulled me into a common societal trap. She said, "That made my Monday" after hearing some good news. I responded with, "How do you 'make' a Monday" meaning of course that Monday's are traditionally the dreaded work day of the week. But if I am trying to live intentionally each day, why would I embrace this illusion that for some reason or another Monday's are excluded from days worthy of living full and happy? I understand it's the first day of the week and may possibly be more strenuous than the day before, however, it's still another 24 hours of my life, and every moment of my life should be intentional, heading in a positive direction.

This experience made me think deeper about why we react this way. Why do we resort to gloom instead of embracing the good things in life? Why do we try to 1up someone else’s bad day by flaunting our "even worse" day? Why do we strive to appear pitiful and worse-off? Although on the outside, it may seem we’re trying to make the other person feel better by comparing our worse day to their not-as-worse day, but in many ways it only feeds selfishness. People feel like they have to be sympathetic for you because you are in such a bad place.

So next time you’re faced with a social trap, take a moment to think first. There is always something to be happy about, so think +. You are alive and can do great things in your life. These social traps will only bring you down in life. Live your own life. Live on purpose!

A Jester Society

2010-03-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

The other day, I made a joke, after-which a friend of mine said, "Wow, Nate, you are human!" I chuckled at the time, but being the person I am, I had to think deeper about this comment. Those of you who know me know that I can be a pretty quiet person. Although I do keep to myself a lot (I spend much of my time in though about deep questions about our lives, the universe, etc.) I do have a sense of humor as well (I love listening to the comedy channels on Sirius and comedy movies. I'm a big fan of Demetrius Martin, Monty Python, & Jim Gaffigan).

So, when this comment was said, it got me thinking; are we defined as human only when we act like everyone else? We live in a society where if you can't entertain the person you're talking to, they become uninterested. So, by acting different than the society standards, you become "alien". Obviously this was a joke and I know that he wasn't actually suggestion I was an extraterrestrial or anything, but the foundation of the comment rings true in our society. I think this line that is drawn in society is limiting to some. We shouldn't feel isolated and alone for wanting to examine life in a different way. The greatest philosophers, scientists, writers, etc. all have something in common, they break out of the norm in search of something more, something beyond the limits that society sets.

Why is this so important?
Our lives are the most important things we posses on this earth. It is very important to know where we are and to constantly think about where we are going. We need to focus on what increases our lives. A constant sense of humor is often like watching TV; it's entertaining, but doesn't usually add much to your life. I'm not saying a sense of humor is bad, however, when you have to enter every conversation with a stock of jokes and punch lines just to keep it interesting, there's something wrong. Think deeper, talk about the things that draw your curiosity and add worth to your life. Not only will you be benefiting yourself, but also those around you who are stuck in the boundaries of society as well. Hop over the line and continue the journey! I'll see you on the other side.

The Art of Owning Nothing

2010-03-08T04:47:00.000-08:00

Financial freedom, it’s something many of us dream of, but never live to see. It is a dream that involved having zero debt, not owing anybody anything and fully owning your possessions. So why is it so hard to get on top of this heap of debt? One reason could be that we’re heading in the wrong direction. We desire more possessions, when really we should be taking some away. We want to live simple lives, yet commercials and ads are telling us we need more. Am I saying that you can’t have stuff? Not necessarily. I think that some stuff is good, but when it consumes your life more than enrich it, I think it has to go.

Take a moment and think about the things that consume your life . . . . Think about the friends and coworkers that you converse with. Think about the substances you put in your body. Are these things enriching your life? My guess is there are some things that aren’t. I believe that some of these things may be draining your life.

I encourage you; fill your life with things that push your forward. Drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances can cut your life short, as well as stress. TV and useless Internet browsing can leave your life stagnant, going nowhere. Did you know that the same internet you use to watch stupid people doing stupid things also contains things that will enhance your knowledge and understanding and add more to your life? One great source is through documentaries. You can go to sites like www.hulu.com or www.freedocumentaries.net and learn more about the world you live in.

So why is this so important? Why can’t we just sit on our couches and veg for the next years of our lives? We only live once, and if we are only living for the satisfaction of ourselves than we are not truly living. By living for ourselves, we simply exist.

There is an art to owning nothing. It gives a peace that surpasses understanding. You begin to find joy in relationships rather than money-consuming things. You begin to spend money wisely when you do spend it. It is when you begin to see beyond yourself that you can truly be financially free. Unlock your journey and push your life further than you ever thought possible.

The war between greed and peace

2010-01-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

We all desire peace. Deep down in the depths of our hearts we want that feeling of good. We see it in our movies, in our stories; good overcoming evil. Our world has become greedy. We are only looking out for ourselves, to include me. It is obvious that this desire for greed and peace can not coexist.

When will we learn?

Greed is temporary satisfaction, but peace spans beyond a lifetime. If there is no good force, no desire for purpose, then we become empty vessels floating to an inevitable doom. Although it may seem like we are getting the most out of life by collection our "toys", in the end you can't take them with you. By giving yourself fully to your creator and owning nothing, you will find your purpose.

We (being the only known life in our solar system capable of emotion and a desire to seek meaning for our existence) are fully responsible for the lives of our planet. What is stopping us from making a change and taking that responsibility? Our society feeds on greed; break free from its grasp. There is a better life for you, one with purpose. One that will span beyond your life here on earth.

World Religion Day

2009-12-20T04:05:00.000-08:00

Our world is full of different people with different perspectives and backgrounds. All of us have beliefs as to life and our purposes here on earth. For many of us, this is defined by our religion. January 17^th 2010 is World Religion Day. “The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions.” (www.worldreligionday.org). It’s hard to avoid the fact that our world’s beliefs can conflict at times. On this day we can stop and reflect on our commonalities instead of our differences.

The topic of religion can be very touchy. Anger and hatred between beliefs happen frequently, even within a religion. But why is this? Is it possible to look past our differences, and reveal what we all have in common? I had the great opportunity to meet with several people associated with different religions to receive their thoughts on World Religion Day and what it means to them.

Unitarian Universalist

Gaye Ortiz, a former Roman Catholic who later found Unitarian Universalism, shared her thoughts on this day. When asked if she found it hard to practice her religious beliefs in our society, she responded: The Bible Belt is a place where dogmatic beliefs are sometimes oppressive, and respect for other non-traditional (i.e., non-Christian) religious expression is sometimes lacking. But there are many people who are seekers for freedom of religion and appreciate the liberal faith home that Unitarian Universalism offers. The UU Church of Augusta is very involved in community and social action projects, like Spooky to be Hungry, and we partner with other faiths in projects like Habitat for Humanity and the Harrisburg Interfaith Garden.

We need to practice respect for all faiths and those who follow them; fear of the unknown is what makes us so distrustful, so we should seek to learn about other faiths and learn to work alongside each other to make the world a better place for all. There are many misconceptions about other faiths in this day and age but we all need to live together on this planet and work for world peace – it is not an impossible task!

Buddhist

Natalia Poppeliers was raised Unitarian Universalist but became a Buddhist. She considers herself to be of both traditions. Her responses: I sometimes find it difficult to practice Buddhism in our society for two reasons. The first is that because we are a relatively small percentage of society, there are many misconceptions about what Buddhism entails. The second reason is that is often seems that there are elements of our culture (particularly the focus on materialistic gain and a certain tolerance and encouragement of aggression) that do not fit well with the Buddhist path. Sometimes this provides a challenge.

We must recognize that, just as there are many roads to a destination, there are many paths to wholeness (in the religious sense). Our individual path may not meet the needs of others but it is no less valid. The key to acceptance and harmony between the religions must begin with dialogue, good-will, and an open heart and mind.

Methodist

Jessica Bolyard explained her religious background: I grew up in the Methodist church, really from the time I was born. I said I was a Christian, but I never really understood what it was all about; my family went to church together just because it was what we did every Sunday. I was baptized and confirmed when I was 12, simply because I was the "right age" and everyone my age had to go through the confirmation class then. I didn't fully understand what it meant to be a follower of Christ until I was 21, at which point I really feel that my life turned around. Since then, I've been on a pursuit for Christ and have sought to conform my life according to His will.

When asked how difficult it was to practice her religion on our society, she responded: I have never felt it to be difficult on a societal level. It has been hard for me personally, at times, simply because of the difficulty of finding the balance between being a positive witness and being someone people can't relate to. On a societal level, though, I have never found any sort of persecution or adversity. Much of this could be because we do live in the Bible belt, and it is almost expected that everyone has Christian beliefs to some extent. (I say that realizing that having "Christian beliefs" is very different from being a follower of Christ.) It seems to me that around here, telling someone where you attend church is akin to telling them what neighborhood you live in; it tells them a little bit about you, but doesn't elicit any sort of real response because the perception is that everyone attends somewhere.

Clearly, I believe that Christianity and the message of Jesus Christ are truth; if I didn't, I wouldn't practice it. However, it was never Jesus' intentions to alienate people based on their beliefs, and as such, it should not be my goal, either. The message of Christ is love, and that is what drives my relationships with others, regardless of race or religion or background. Peace and harmony, it seems to me, go hand in hand with love. There is room for people of all beliefs if an attitude of love supersedes any beliefs or creeds as we interact with others.

Baptist

Greg DeLoach, a local Baptist pastor, shared with me his perspective on the religions around us and how we should approach them. When asked if society makes it difficult to practice his faith, he responded: No, not at all. For starters, it’s kind of ingrained in the culture of our society. I’ve never lived in communities in America that were different than the Deep South, but even in other areas we are given the opportunity to worship freely, and I value the respect of other religious to do the same as well. If I’m invited on a civic level to pray or to do things that would in some way be religious or quasi religious, I try to be respectful that I’m speaking to a diverse audience.

We’re moving from an exclusive mindset to one of toleration. And I think that even toleration isn’t a higher ideal. To tolerate means that we’re just going to stand it because we have to to live together. My hope would be that we could make a movement to work together. I do mean that in a very comprehensive way. I believe that our church has a responsibility to work with not only other Christian groups, but also with Jews, Muslims, and even with no-believers. Recognizing that our faith is guiding us to make a transformative difference in the fabric of this culture, then any one desiring the same deserves our working with them. So it’s not toleration but engaging together for these common goals. I love the image in John 4 where Jesus in the middle of the day is at Jacob’s Well, and a Samaritan woman is there to draw water and he engages her in conversation in a very non condemnation standpoint. Even though she was ethnically on a different line and also practicing a faith that would have been considered in some ways compromised or in other ways corrupted of that day, he engaged in a conversation where she was. This is a model that informs me, as a Christian, about my relationship with others.

Muslim

Ahmad Nadeem Gill, the president of the Islamic Society of Augusta, shared his thoughts on this subject:

There are a lot of similarities within religions. No religion will tell you to steal, or do wrong things, or hit each other; every religion will tell you similar things. Sometimes people will, for their own benefit or own limited knowledge, extract certain things from beliefs which produce the different religions. But very simply, every religion tells that there is one God, you are responsible for your own deeds good or bad, and every religion tells you that there will be a heaven and a hell. Otherwise, if there is no day of judgment, no one would be checking on our deeds. There would be no boundaries. So you see there are many similarities within Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

In western society obviously there are good things and there are not so exciting things. My family and I are invested in this society. I am here and my kids were born here. We are ready to accept the person who is just like our own or act in a similar way, but we are always suspicious for someone who behaves a bit different, looks different. It is the nature of our society. But what we need to do is familiarize ourselves with each other. Once we familiarize ourselves with each other then we will know more about each other’s customs and why we worship the way that we do. I personally believe that as a God so mighty, He did not create just one path to live. I believe He intended for us to have separate religions. Our faces are different, our culture is different, our backgrounds are different, and so we have different tribes amongst our similarities. Think about it, if we all had the same face and had the same attitude every morning, then we would be machines. We are different so we can find each other and find comfort.

We need to learn about other religious and respect them. If I am traveling to a destination, I can go one of many ways, but they all end in the same point. I could say one way is better, but what is the point, they all end in the same place. So we need to learn about each other, and we need to have a tolerance. Unfortunately in this society, we focus more on negative things. And it has a lot to do with the media. Negativity is more interesting to viewers, so the media feeds that to the viewers. When I see something negative, it is my responsibility to inquire about it instead of making an opinion. It’s like the media and the war on terror. My daughter goes to school, and she wears a head scarf. Kids will jokingly ask, “Are you from the terrorist group?” And it is due to the media showing these things again and again. They use the religion to make their own point or to make their own agenda. That doesn’t mean that the whole religion is wrong. So we need to look for the commonalities; we all worship the same thing and we all believe in good, no cheating no lying, helping the elderly and the poor. What are the differences that we can’t just accept one another? Religion is meant to bring people together, but we make it into what we want and that causes it to push others away. If we can look at the similarities instead of the differences then we can find unity.

After meeting with Ahmad, he invited me to stay for lunch. The meal consisted of foods that were customary of his religion. As I enjoyed the hospitality of the people there, I met another man who was interested in sharing his thoughts on World Religion Day. His name was Sardar Yousufzai. He was the professor of the chemistry department for a local college. Here are his thoughts: In chemistry, I always teach one word to the students; neutrality. The sun is coming; the heat is coming to nourish you, to warm you, it gives you oxidation, visibility, etc. You have to be around it. In the same way, there are others around you. I am Muslim, and I am responsible for my own religion, but at the same time I want to understand what other peoples are doing, and mainly what is similar. I’m not looking to adopt their belief, that’s not my concern. It’s good to know why other people do good and what their faith is. It is communication that is important. I don’t know your beliefs you don’t know my beliefs, but we are communicating. And after communicating, we will discover something about each other.

Communication comes first, then understanding other’s religions. When you’re figuring out the human being you have to understand other human beings. Look for things that are common. Our goal, as Muslims, is to provide peace and harmony to society where we are, whether it be in U.S.A. or any country. And when your religion is not dominant you must look for common ground. So, the two things that are important are communication and understanding.

There seems to be an underlying message that appears in each conversation. That message is communication and understanding. It is good for us to learn why other religions do what they do. It is important for us as individuals; after all we are only one person with one perspective in life. It is also good for humanity in general. If we can learn to be more open with people of other beliefs, we will be contributing to the harmony that our world so desperately needs.

Doubt is Good

2009-11-30T19:10:00.000-08:00

We'll, not just any doubt. Constructive doubt, when it's in the context of searching for a truth, is a very good thing. By doubting, I don't mean claiming that something isn't true. I mean that by doubting you recognize that it is something that you can't fully explain, and so it remains neutral until revealed as true.

Take Noah and the ark for example; This is a story about a man who was instructed by God to build a boat a football field and a half long, half a football field wide, and 45 feet high. In this boat, Noah was to put seven pairs of every animal. Now, if you look at all of the different species in our world, and you figure the square footage of the boat it doesn't seem to match up. This fell in the realm of "doubt" for me.

-Now, personally, I don't think it is wise to stay in the realm of doubt, because by remaining stagnant in your doubt, it becomes a "fact" in your own mind that this event could not have happened. So I believe that until solid evidence is given that can prove either way, the doubt should remain plausible.-

Going back to the ark; If you take into consideration that the animals had only been on the earth for about 1500 years (according to the bible), and if you believe that animals change over time through adaptation, then at this time there could have been fewer species and may have all fit on a boat. Take bears for example, there are black bears, grizzly bears, polar bears, panda bears, etc. All of these animals have similarities that could have come from a primary source (the original bear). That being said, the ark becomes a little more believable. Now, I understand that doesn't cover all of the confusing questions of this event like "How was Noah able to live over 500?" and "Where did all the water come from that covered the earth?" and "If there were no rainbows before the flood, would Issac Newton's prism have failed to split the white light into the color spectrum prior to this event?". These questions should challenge us to look deeper. If we just settle for the surface, we'll remain in doubt, or worse off we could believe blindly with a fear of questioning.

So don't be afraid to ask questions. If you have an unsolved mystery that is important to you, do your research. Ask for others opinions; ask highly educated folk as well as the average joes. It's important to gather multiple perspectives on things, because we are only one person, and we only see one path ahead of us. So seek truth in all that you do, and continue down your journey in life!

Bowl of Cold Rice

2009-11-22T16:57:00.000-08:00

Today, I was given a half cup of cold rice in a Styrofoam bowl. It was an illustration; on average, a half cup of rice is all most people in our world eat on a daily basis. A half of a cup! If you're near a measuring cup, take a look at how small a half cup is. We are living in abundance in America. This illustration hit me hard this morning. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, how will I be effected. To be incredibly honest, before this illustration I would have stuffed myself to the brim just like every other year(and most day's for that matter), and I wouldn't have thought twice about starving people.

We've hidden the hungry and the needy in our society. We have disassociated them from us, as if they have some kind of contagious disease. Because of this disassociation, our society had become blind, and if the need can not be seen, then nothing will happen to meet it.

I'm beginning to see the importance of living a selfless life. If I only focus on "Numero Uno", then I will live a sad, unfulfilling life. My entire life would be a pursuit for myself, and when I die, so will everything I lived for. But if I choose to life for others, my purpose will continue even after I'm gone.

A selfless life will live forever, but a selfish one will be forgotten quickly.

So what can we do? Am I suggesting to give all your food away except for a half cup of rice? No. Be thankful! If you have the means to keep you and your family from starvation, than be thankful! And secondly, live generous. If you have an overabundance, share it with someone who could really use it. There are tons of ministries that have connections with people in need both here and internationally. And if you can't share your food or money, share this information. It is so vital that this blinder be removed from societies eyes so that they can see the issues around them.

One idea: Go to a Chinese restaurant (or any restaurant that sells white rice). Ask for a half cup of white rice only. If they question it, tell them the news. Tell them that on average, that is what most people are eating in our world.

Isn't it about time we did something about this? If we are living in overabundance, we are the ones who can help. What changes can you make in your own life to help those in need?

Will you choose the journey of a selfless life? Take your life deeper, unlock the journey!

Unlock the Journey

2009-11-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

Unlock the Journey? What does that mean?

We are all on some kind of journey in life. That journey could be a journey to fame, a journey to wealth, a journey to happiness. Often, in our journeys, we become stagnant. We stop and get comfortable where we stand. We exist . . . and that's it.

There is so much more to life than our constant moments of satisfaction. It is true that while we are stagnant we are content and comfortable, but that won't give us joy, fame, wealth, or whatever it is we're seeking in life. It takes motivation, energy, and sacrifice to make a life. It takes progress and a step forward to make a journey.

Take a moment to meditate (how often do we just stop and reflect?). Think hard about your life, your goals, your motives. Once you have that in your mind, think about the next step. Where does this journey take you? Are you headed in the right direction?

This blog is dedicated to all those out there who are on the journey of life; all those who wish to live with purpose. This blog is for those striving to unlock the journey!