The cerebellum is an interesting portion of our brain. It is responsible for a clear and quick response for motor signals. It is divided into sub areas which are know as the archicerebellum, paleocerebellum, and the neocerebellum. Each is respectively responsible for vestibular balance, muscle control, and coordination. Hypothetically, if we could imagine the brain as an airplane, the cockpit would be the cerebellum. It acts as a regulator and coordinator for the nerve impulses in the muscles which drive our bodies to carry daily physical functions.
If the cerebellum can control every muscle in our body, I wonder if its purpose for control will ever exceed its limitation to human body. Before artificial intelligence becomes prevalent in society(something we very far from) I believe that the unification of our brain with foreign systems such as computers will come about. This will give us the ability to control external objects without even moving anything in our body which will benefit us in exploration in space, oceans, wars, etc. There are almost an infinite number of reasons why the unification of the brain with external objects won't ever happen but 1000 years ago there were almost an infinite reasons why the Iphone was not possible.
Interesting observations. Like you said a thousand years ago people would hardly believe we could in the year 2010 talk to other people anywhere in the world through invisible rays. It would sound like magic to them, and it actually even now if you think about it, seems unbelievable the things we can do with modern technology.
ReplyDeleteI can forsee the day when microchips are embedded into the brain to help people with mental diseases or other brain issues. Maybe, more likely than that is the ability we'll have to grow a new brain, or new muscle, of any design we want. It's frightening, but totally possible.
Check out this link of what people in the 1900s thought the year 2000 would be like : http://www.paleofuture.com/blog/2007/4/24/postcards-show-the-year-2000-circa-1900.html
Sri