#limbic

By Robert Sapolsky Reptilian brain Also known as the primal brain, this is the oldest part of the brain and is responsible for basic life functions like breathing and alerting us to danger. It’s also responsible for the fight or flight response.  Limbic system Also known as the paleomammalian brain, this part of the brain is responsible for emotions and is involved in learning and…

„Always asking ‘Why?'”, said the limbic system.

„You never stop. You are restless, relentless. You always ask me ‘Why?’ so I ask myself ‘Why?’. You are craving for an answer, frenzied by the question of ‘Why?’.”

With a baritone voice, the cortex continues, slowly, surely, emphasizing each word: „Everyday, you have the opportunity to let me fly. With a kiss and a tear in the eye, one can bypass evolution and meet its maker in an instant. But you do not want to die, do you? Neither do I. So we keep on and never die. I keep you dry. You keep me dry. You ask ‘Why?’ to my ‘Why?’, drying yourself out. I answer to your ‘Why?’ through my ‘Why?’ and you keep me dry asking me again ‘Why?’. ‘I wonder why...’”

„But hearts are gonna be forever! Hearts are gonna be forever!”

„This biological machine needs to survive. I want to; you want to.”

„Why?”

„Because it’s a responsibility in the face of the Universe. We’re here because of our predecessors; who and whatever they might be. We may not recall our fathers, but they were before us so we should treat them as we would want to be treated. We must honor their kin; our kin.”

„Why?”

„Wait and see, Zoon.”

„Can you? Can you wait?”

„You can.”

„This biological carcass is no longer sufficient, is it?”

„You’re learning.”

„You’re leading.”

„And so we survive.”

„Keepin’ on and never ever die.”

When we try to outlaw something, the limits we create only serve to prevent “the many” from using that thing; only “the few” end up using it, people who don’t play by the rules. Nothing that gives humans the feeling of power will be eradicated...

During the scientific and industrial age, science has become the new “god” in many quarters. We humans have been in swoon to “knowledge” and (impersonal) “intelligence” for centuries now, and we have largely shunned emotion, instinct, and mystery. Science has replaced the latter as “the” source of knowing. Along with this, we have mechanized every area of life because mechanization is “faster,…