BRAINS!!!!

So as I pointed out in my previous blog that I'm currently reading The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton. Now I've only just finished the second day or March 10, 1971 (For those who have not read it the book is comprised of five days March 9-13, 1971, which are also comprised of numerical sections). The section I wish to acknowledge today is March 10, 1971, part three. Dr. McPherson is taping his review of the surgery they placed on Harry Benson, while having it play on mute in the background until it is switched to a video of Benson in a psychological interview. I have not discovered the symbolism of Benson in the background other than it ties into the thoughts of McPherson who is only turning up the volume every so often. Before I go on I'll post a portion that intrigued me.

Now, however, in this operation we have created a man with not one brain but two. He has his biological brain, which is damaged, and he has a new computer brain, which is designed to correct the damage. This new brain is intended to control the biological brain. Therefore a new situation arises. The patient's biological brain is the peripherial terminal--the only periperial terminal--for the new computer. In one area, the new computer brain has total control. And therefore the patient's biological brain, and indeed his whole body, has become a terminal for the new computer. We have created a man who is one single, large, complex computer terminal. The patient is a read-out device for the new computer, and he is helpless to control the readout as a TV screen is helpless to control the information presented on it.

This is an excerpt from what McPherson is stating on his log. Later on in part six he talks to Benson during this discussion Benson mentions that "the human brain is becoming obsolete".

I know how this all seems a bit random to put in, but it comes from idea that is pointed out in my mind. While I was reading The Andromeda Strain also by Crichton one of the characters was going on about brains also (I'll cite this later and add more detail as I don't have the book next to me). He was stating that man would also be obsolete to his brain. In this segment though he discusses that the brain will out grow our bodies.

Both of these note two trends that could potentially happen with our brains. One we could be overcome with computers. This one doesn't seem very logical to me atleast not anytime soon. All computers need input which has to start with humans, not to mention if something ultimatly happens with a computer it would need assistance to fix itself or become obsolete itself. Two our own brains will eventually encompass our whole body and evolve to a state to live with out it. I find this a little more plausable. With our always vast need to know everything our brains will either take over much like the brains of Futurama or they will cause us to destroy ourselves.

I don't know if Crichton knew of the fact that he could spark a discussion of brains with his books, but he has. What I wish to know is does anyone else see this odd obsession? Maybe I will have more tomorrow as I have to go cook now. I'll have more in the next few days as I'm still reading The Terminal Man plus I wish to go on about my other reads.

Buh-Bai readies.

Frustration

So I originally started the past two or three hours in search of a reasonable online book club. What I've discovered is there is none to my catering. Its not that I'm picky, but I had specific ideas of what I wanted. Yes I know how that sounds but bare with me here. My list was actually quite simple in fact here it is.

• I needed a general group
• I didn't want it to do one book per month or week
• I wanted it in a discussion board set up...sort of, I'll get back to this
  
• I didn't want to join 7 groups just to satisfy myself

Ok so that third point is vague in what I'm trying to convey. I wanted it to be put into sections of authors and then each of their books. Simple enough yes, but most that I found like that were for a review not a discussion. Actually I found none that were discussion boards only found reviews. This makes me extremely sad.

Now I toggled with the idea of making my own reading group, but no one I knew would probably join. Online searches would probably not pick it up so it would be lonely ole me. So here's where this comes in. I had been toggling with the idea of starting a blog a few weeks back. Obviously it did not happen. So I want a blog and I want to discuss what I read. Hmmm.....

Mwahahaha here is my brain child. Of course I'll not only write about books as that could get to a bore to you guys and to me. I'll just write what comes to mind. As for my readings well you'll see some sort of a pattern. I'm getting married and plan on moving next year so I've decided to pack my bookcase away one book at a time. I have a bit of OCD tendencies, everything has to be alphabetized for me. I'm not going to go through the books like that but I won't be seperating the authors books. What this means is I've started with Michael Crichton so I will do the books I own of his first. I've already read Andromeda Strain and Eaters of the Dead. I'm currently on The Terminal Man and have State of Fear on another book shelf, but as I'm doing my paper backs first I will probably not read State of Fear anytime soon. I also own Prey, which I have read about two and a half years ago, so I haven't decided if I'll read that also.

So there you go my reasons. I'll also be writing a blog after this that is buzzing in my mind. I probably will be writing a few blogs with no order to them as to discuss The Andromeda Strain and Eaters of the Dead.

Ciao for now.