So, I was sitting in class this morning and we were learning about the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system(s). Overall, these are part of the autonomic nervous system, which includes the parts of the body that are not under our control, including the heart and the lungs. Generally, the circuitry is relatively simple in concept, yet does include some more complicated features. As in, depending on the system, the sympathetic side of the system will be excitatory (as in, turn “on”) while the parasympathetic will be inhibitory (as in, turn “off”).
My word choice of “circuitry” was on purpose, of course, and that brings me to the point of the posting… I find it rather interesting how I developed interests in two radically different things that are completely related in function: computers and the brain. I’ve been interested in all things “tech” for many a year now, building new computers, installing alternative operating systems, etc…and now I’ve begun a graduate school journey largely focusing on the central nervous system and its function within the body. Just as computers talk in “1s” and “0s” (i.e. binary), the nervous system works very similarly where connections are either made or not made, allowing for basic functions like movement and memory.
I guess I just don’t know whether my interest in these seemingly disparate subjects came from. Was I first fascinated by computer circuits or neuronal circuits? Or, was my interest in some facet inherent to both? Or, on a larger scale, is this how all our interests and hobbies come together? Do people get interested in one subject and then learn about a related one…or do they get interested in some concept that ends up leading to the two different subject areas?
…or maybe this is just a stupid question… Regardless, these are thoughts I had in class and figured I’d share them… 😛
P.S. The subject heading is, of course, a Star Trek reference, where the “Borg” are a synthetic race of cyborgs representing the perfect marriage of organic life and machine. The more I learn about the nervous system, the more you realize that Man and Machine are more similar than we would otherwise realize…
Heh, always a Star Trek reference to be had…
I think you meant, “We, Borg.”
everything comes back to Trek!
First of all, Mike, there was a specific episode of ST:TNG titled “I, Borg,” where a Borg (Hugh) achieved individuality…the character later appeared in the season six finale and season seven premiere, “Descent.”
Secondly, only Star Trek comments?! …and I was even trying to spark fascinating discussion for once… 😛
Ok, here is my non-ST comment…man and machine are so closely related. Did man make machine to replicate himself in some way? Facination with the human body and how it works should be something everyone realizes. As Mark has discovered, doctors are too narrowing looking at the mechanics of the heart instead of also looking at the electronics of it. One of his doctors said that what Mark has is a zebra and too often doctors are told NOT to look for those.
As my brain is complete putty right now from overuse and underrest (is that a word?) it is impossible for me to be overly inciteful right now. But I will leave you with these simple comments: 1. Yay Borg!! 2. Boo bad heart!! 3. Yay brain!!
That comment just reminds me of Red Stripe commercials…
“Hooray beer!!!”
😛