Week 7- Neuroscience + Art

This week was super interesting as it talked about the relationship between computers and consciousness. I really liked the question Professor Vesna posed of wether computers have consciousness or not; “Are machines expanding our consciousness or are we becoming slaves to the machines?” (Mind Intro Video). This is something that I also wonder, we have such a heavy reliance on machines and technology, and I often wonder if this is hindering our own mental capabilities. She then questioned if the mind could be controlled, explaining that she believes so.  I however am a little more sceptical about this, as I do not really think the mind can be controlled.

I believe the research done into this idea of technology on the brain is really fascinating, however it is relatively new. As discussed in the lecture by Professor Vesna, the technology of the study of the brain has only been recently discovered, because so much of the recent past in this field has been into how the brain functions. Vensa also states “the brain itself has only been studied for about a century” (Neuroscience pt 1 video). I like to relate this to my major psychology.  The father of psychology Aristole believed that most of the real thinking was done in the heart and not the brain. But now we know that the technological advances have proven otherwise.  While I don’t think mind control is possible I do think that there are ways we can alter our mind.  College students these days choose to take drugs, and this can have a large impact on the brain.  It is usually their choice however there are instances where projects are used to “discover pharmaceutical mind control” (Neuroscience pt 3 Video) by giving people LSD without there consent.  I believe this is not okay and whilst I agree with Professor Vensa that mind control could eventually happen I also believe it should not come at the expense of people without their consent.
 
A mapping technique that illuminates the brains of two flies.  
This is a beneficial way for neuroscientists to track neurons and their connections


Project MK-ULTA, CIA's projects and work wiht mind control. 

Sources 
Arasan, Mani, and Jeff Cush. "Brain & Consciousness." Artificial Brain and Artificial Intelligence. N.p., 25 Dec. 2016. Web.

DNewsChannel. "Could We Upload Our Consciousness To A Computer?" YouTube. YouTube, 15 June 2015. Web.

Greenwood, Veronique. "Fly Over the 'Brainbow'." MIT Technology Review. MIT Technology Review, 22 Oct. 2012. Web.

Ssm5398. "MKULTRA." Conspiracy Theories. Penn State Edu, 2 Feb. 2017. Web.
.
Uconlineprogram. "Neuroscience-pt1.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Mind Intro Video. University of California, Los Angeles, May 14, 2017.


Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Neuroscience pt 3 Video. University of California, Los Angeles, May 14, 2017.

Comments

  1. Austin RappMay 22, 2018 at 5:50 AM

    It was really interesting to hear about these topics from the point of view of a psychology major because it is surely so relevant what you have learned at UCLA. A good point that you made was that people should not have their minds controlled without consent. I think that this may become a huge issue if mind control becomes possible and it would open the door for crime. I don't see a whole lot of benefit coming out of it.

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