Monday, July 7, 2014

New Scientist: "Consciousness on-off switch discovered deep in brain"

"ONE moment you're conscious, the next you're not. For the first time, researchers have switched off consciousness by electrically stimulating a single brain area."
Scientists have been probing individual regions of the brain for over a century, exploring their function by zapping them with electricity and temporarily putting them out of action. Despite this, they have never been able to turn off consciousness – until now.

Although only tested in one person, the discovery suggests that a single area – the claustrum – might be integral to combining disparate brain activity into a seamless package of thoughts, sensations and emotions. It takes us a step closer to answering a problem that has confounded scientists and philosophers for millennia – namely how our conscious awareness arises. (read more)

13 comments:

Dad Bones said...

zzzzz....Ha. That's the switch I use,too.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Can this switch be triggered with the Clapper?

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

(1) There was an episode of Star Trek TNG where the issue was whether Data was alive. We learn he has an on/off switch.

(2) There was an episode of The Twilight Zone where some guy had to stay awake forever because everything would cease to exist if he ever fell asleep. He was considerably distraught over the situation, understandably.

(3) I think maybe it was Descartes who thought that the human soul is in the pineal gland. Seems kind of dumb by modern standards but you never know.

Unknown said...

Evi - lol. the clapping wars would have us all asleep.


ricpic said...

Wow, what a godsend this could be for all us insomniacs.

Aridog said...

The Clapper has so far only been installed in one person, Barack Obama. You clap your hands and he becomes awake and starts giving a long winded speech.

It has been found to have a flaw, however, as when you clap again he he doesn't turn off...just keeps talking. Only Valerie Jarret has the right pudgy hand clap tone to shut him back up.

This keeps VJ very busy as the Obamster keeps hearing a clap and thinks it is adulation and off he goes again...

The Dude said...

They all have the clap, near as I can tell.

The rails, too, based on what they say.

deborah said...

"although tested in one person"

Fascinating if this pans out.

Aridog said...

Apparently "tested in one person" is now scientific enough to get published?

Has any though about the negative consequences of the ability to "turn off or on" human consciousness? Or animal for that matter?

If this proves to be a repeatable phenomena, peer reviewed and exercised by multiple labs, it will scare me more than anything so far in my life...including being shot at by men trying to kill me.

Forget about "Manchurian Candidates"...we will soon have "Manchurian Citizens."

bagoh20 said...

I suggest that if a woman wants to marry and be irresistible to men who are looking for wives, she should get an implant in this area that can be operated by a remote control. Advertize your upgrade and watch the proposals flood in.

Aridog said...

OT...when I saw the name "Koubeissi" I first thought of the 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo who teaches near my house. He can certainly turn off your consciousness.

Aridog said...

Bagoh20...a wife who can be quieted by a simple clap of the hand? Yeah, that will draw a crowd.

PS: Not a good idea really, wives and girlfriends save men from themselves more often than not. Just sayin...

Aridog said...

Long long ago I discovered a method to silence a raging German Shepherd Dog(or the average Pit Bull Terrier, too)....just open a baggies of Italian Sausage slices and wave it around...instant STFU and "Hi, I am here to help you eat all that stuff!!" Instant Golden Retriver from GSD, ABD, APBT, etc. ... every time. Foolproof. Not so much with hostile Akitas...they'll eat your dang arm if excited :).

PS: Unless trained to avoid any food of any kind no matter what from anyone but you, the handler ...e.g., it still works but just for you. My old dog "Zoya" confounded many people including veterinarians over this trained characteristic. If I was asleep no one could approach within 25 feet period...no food would deter the protective instinct reinforced by training. If you train a dog, teach it something useful, eh :-)