Brain Waves and Mind States
I must have presumed that everything in life was pretty much understood either by the adults around me or by those further afield, because my safe, secure five-year old world was gently shaken one evening after dinner when Mum read an article from the newspaper.
Half a decade earlier, some scientists (Kleitman and Aserinski) had discovered that the brain produces big, long delta (low frequency, high voltage) brain waves during deep sleep. They also said that REM (rapid eye movement) occurs when we dream (faster frequency, lower voltage).
Of course, we all tried it out on one another, taking turns being the one to be awakened when our eyelids began to flutter. Sure enough, each of us had been in the middle of a dream. I was instantly convinced that every thought and every emotion must have a different kind of brainwave.
Equally fascinating to me though, was the realization that this knowledge was only recently acquired. I marvelled at the fact that in all of history, these particular conditions had never existed until now. It let me know that much knowledge was still very young, and I found it exciting to be alive in this particular era hearing about this new knowledge about the brain. It was the first time I wondered what my purpose might be.
Every time I saw another instance of adult ignorance or unfairness, I was reminded of how little was really known and understood.
Bio VII
posted by Winter Child @ 2:49 p.m.
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