h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, monday was my 3hr exam for this year's module. 4 essay questions in 3 hrs. Not too bad, usual format of 1 fact based repetition (You hear a psychologist stating that Cognitive neuropsychology is boswellox, counter this showing an understanding of the criticisms and how the discipline has advance cognitive science) next 2 were fact and waffle ('are attentional processes sequential or parallel in nature' and 'discuss how models of LTM/STM (long term memory and short term memory) compare to psychological actuality') followed by a very waffly one ('discuss the various criteria that affect the processing of emotional stimulus'). So I think I did enough to pass, but we shall see, remembered most of the theories but not all of the attributions.

And the horizon thingy was a programme about consciousness and 'I' by Marcus du Sautoy (bloke who succeeded Dawkins as to the Simoni chair for public understanding of science).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nhv56/Horizon_20092010_The_Secret_You/
very interesting if you can get to iPlayer proggies. Nothing ground breaking within the discipline but well presented and put together (although he does get a bit over enthusiastic sometimes when he should be quiet and let the other person speak).

I watched the Horizon proggy last night. I thought it was just me who thought like that

I remember once seeing a brain operation and wondering why the brain was so different from the hard, white, coral-like structure the alive brain is like...pink and soft and throbbing and nothing like the shrivelled-up dead brain. How overwhelming that he donated (gifted/willed) his brain to science at the end

have to admit I was fully with him when he held the brain in his hands and saying what a privilege it was. I'd feel very odd doing that too!

Nah, you get used to it like any job. However the cut cerebellum is beautiful. It's called "the tree of life" and there is a reason aesthetically for that.

Oh I guess you would get used to it, but as first few times thing - the whole 'this used to be someone, with a name, and desires and aspirations and problems' and so forth. Kinda weird to consider. I guess there's also an aspect of knowing the answers are (or were) in there as to what makes us tick but knowing you ain't gonna be able to get them all out.

"However the cut cerebellum is beautiful. It's called "the tree of life""
Yes, I can understand that. Didn't know it was called that though - thanks for that! In the proggy although they showed a brief shot of it cut and sliced that was it, they didn't discuss it much.

I'm now wondering if DQ deals with brains for a living

a zombie DQ?

I'm not a zombie, just a hard w*rking

who handles brains?

I'd gladly discuss what I do for living, but not in a public forum.

It's got nothing to do with zombies, though

Fair enough DQ!


oh, shame, and there was me already to get my zombie survival kit out!

Well, it's Halloween soon, and they say they come out at night...

...or at least zombies tend to do so in the odd movies princess and her pals could be watching all night during weekends when they were in their teens.

I never got he hang on zombie movies.