1. What new learning or new things have you learned from the article The Future of the Brain?

The Future of the Brain covered a lot of aspects of our medical and scientific progress. What makes man different from any other living thing on the planet is his ability to reason, judge, be creative in other words, to rationalize. This small distinction has thrown us above any biotic organism by a mile. We do not live to survive like they do. We survive to live. Weve made countless innovations that slowly remove us from the burden of having to deal with our needs so we can focus on our wants. The mind is a powerful thing. And until today it remains one of sciences greatest mysteries. What we think and feel can even affect how our bodies involuntary functions. Science is all about discovering and developing patterns. Once something that throws off the pattern is discovered, a new pattern is made. The scientific facts of today may be the fallacies of tomorrow. Years ago, brain cells were thought to be unable to multiply. The new advances of today have discovered that adult brain tissue can actually regenerate, and brain cells can divide and multiply. Technology has been employed to make the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals more accurate. Soon, our advancements can lead to genetic engineers being able to create half-artificial humans. 2. What struck you in the article? Why? The article pretty much made me realize how far weve developed as a species. A few million years ago, we had to spend the entire day, chasing animals for our next meal. Now, almost everything we essentially need to survive is at our fingertips, leaving us a lot of time on our hands to focus on more complex concepts. The part in the article that mentioned Alvin Toffler and his futuristic views regarding his genetic engineering predictions in the new millennium is both partly fascinating and frightening. Being able to control our own evolution, who wouldnt be interested in that? But the scientific and ethic debates sure to come with this kind of development are already tearing me apart now before its even happened. A part of me would love to see us be able to acquire this kind of genetic control to improve the human mind and body in general. It would open up the possibility of a world wherein the standards for genius today is the standards for the average Joe, a future where the majority is an artistic prodigy, and having Manny Pacquiao-like athletic ability would be the norm. This would raise the standard of ability of the average human being to a whole new level. With that, there would be a possibility of even greater progress and development. Plus who knows what the genius of that generation of geniuses can do?! However, the ability of controlling our own evolution also seems to take the magic away from the expectant parents wondering what their coming infant will grow up to be. Theyd already know since they had pad for their childs desired abilities. The world were used to is a world where, as children, we venture out to the unknown and discover our own potentials and interests; and as we grow up, we work hard to develop our skills, go beyond what we are, and be able to do what we want to do. This fact is magical. This symbolizes mans essence of being the climber of his own mountain. He works to better himself. His abilities are from his own sweat, not from some biologists test tube. 3. How do you predict/ what is your prediction of the brain in the future? Its interesting to ponder on how the human populace is leading itself to its own future. How we live our lives will ultimately affect how the brain will operate in the future. The children I know these days are taking on a vegetative lifestyle: fixated in front of televisions, computers, or gaming consoles 24/7. This can lead me to say that our species is developing itself for a future of a higher understanding of the digital world, but with degenerated

physical and athletic abilities. On the other hand, I observe many adults joining in on an exercise revolution, aiming to condition their bodies, and some getting into the adventurous lifestyle. With this observation, I may say that were gearing ourselves up to develop into a species with a more developed physical makeup along with a more intellectually-upgraded brain. Our brains may also soon have to adapt to the environment we live in and the transformations it is undergoingor will soon undergo. Imaginatively, the predicted climate changes may result to us developing gills a million years from now! Or perhaps well just develop to having a tolerance over a wider range of temperatures. In the end, I know there will be a better future for our brains. The recent technological and medical advancements look promising. Whatever that may be, I only hope well never be complacent with that and still aim to be greater.