For so many many centuries, the universe and consciousness have been two of the greatest mysteries for many philosophers and scientists. Interestingly, physicists like Francis Crick and Christof Koch among many others have engaged to this fascinating area of research. In "Future of the Mind" Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, also approaches this subject. What is consciousness? Is it possible to be explained by the laws of Physics? and, with such an advance in technology, what can we expect of this topic on the future?
The book is divided in three major parts: Book I (The Mind and the Consciousness), Book II (Mind Over Matter) and Book III (Altered Consciousness) and I will mention a few thoughts on some topics of each book.
Book I
As in many books that approach this complex and fascinating subject of neuroscience, "The future of the mind" introduces the reader with basic generalizations of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Also, some background history beginning with the famous Phineas Gage case that led to the understanding of the important role that the frontal lobe plays on behavior, also the study of Wernicke and Broca's patients to understand language, Joseph Gall's pseudoscience of phrenology and Dr. Penfield's homunculus which is a generalized map of the motor cortex we still find useful today in medical texts. These cases are important because they mark the beginning of the era of Neuroscience. Honestly, I would have loved a bigger chapter that included more neuroscientists such as the Nobel laureate Ramon Ramon y Cajal's work on neurons or the first psychiatrist Dr Meynert, who was Freuds professor at School of Medicine in Vienna leading to one of the most important theories of the mind we've had and which the author does not discuss.
Kaku also introduces the reader to the evolutionary history of the brain (reptilian--> mammalian--> human), being the neocortex our highest evolutionary structure involved in higher cognitive functioning. The introductory information given is very accurate but very generalized and you can easily find it in many books related to neuroscience.
So, where are we standing today in neuroscience? How are we able to understand how our brain works and what are we still missing? The many useful high technology devices that have been created to understand our brain are thanks to the four forces that govern our universe, some of this machines are: MRI, fMRI, DBS and optogenetics, all of these based on the electromagnetic force except PET scans which is governed by the weak force. It is worth noting that as new technological devices are invented so the analogies regarding our brain functioning, such as the hydraulic model, the telephone model and now the computational theory of the mind.The author does not leave behind and also creates an analogy of subconscious as the CEO obviously representing the prefrontal cortex... Our rational thought, the area that plans and helps you take decisions.
Although Kaku doesnt talk about Freuds Theory of Mind, what i did find interesting was his "space-time theory of consciousness" defined as:
"Consciousness is the process of creating a model of the world using multiple feedback loops in various parameters (e.g., in temperature, space, time, and in relation to others), in order to accomplish a goal (e.g., find mates, food, shelter)."
According to this idea animals create their goal based more on environment and space and humans base more this model on relation with time.
He gives this theory three levels of consciousness, which mostly applies to the evolutionary structures of our brain. Level I will be that of the reptiles and level II which includes the limbic system essential for relations will be that of mammalian brain. Finally, level III that of the human brain defined as the following:
"Human consciousness is a specific form of consciousness that creates a model of the world and the simulates in time, by evaluating the past to simulate the future. This requires mediating and evaluating many feedback loops in order to make a depiction to achieve a goal."
Based on this definition, we use our model or view of the world by analyzing previous experiences and memories of people or events and use all this to predict the future and therefore make the decisions we would consider appropriate for a favorable outcome. If this space-time theory is accurate, Kaku says that it can give us a definition of self awareness:
"Self awareness is creating a model of the world and simulating the future in which you appear"
Book II. In Mind over Matter, Kaku approaches Telepathy, Telekinesis, Memory and Intelligence.
On memory: What do you think of the idea of downloading a memory or perhaps learning a new complex skills (Matrix style) and molding our intelligence with new software? The possibility to create or experience new memories, or sharing it just as we upload our pictures through the web, live a new trip or love experiences, or the memories of loved ones already passed away, will that lead us to lose the difference from our innate self and fake memories??? Would this ever be possible? I do think of the amazing possibilities it could bring for patients suffering from amnesia or also it's exciting to know the use of optogenetics to activate or shut down memories such as in PTSD patients. What has the function of memory provided in our evolutionary process and why are they so important to us? That is of the ability to predict the future and act and take decisions according to these experiences,This is the essential reason of why humans are intelligent.
I also applaud Kaku approaching the prion like proteins topic involved in Alzheimer's (tau amyloid proteins) and the CREB genes role in memory formation... quite accurate but I insist, this is another topic which I would have loved he expanded more with detailed information. Sometimes, it did seemed like reading a special-edition science magazine.
Book III. Altered Consciousness: Dreams, mind-control, artificial intelligence, altered states of consciousness, reverse engineering in the brain and the alien brain.
On the chapter Altered state of consciousness, which I really enjoyed, Kaku approaches OCD, Schizophrenia and Hallucinations with the sufficient neuroscience behind each disorder and talks about where are we placed right now regarding management and the possibilities of how science will approach them in the future. Once again, he gives us a definition of most forms of mental illness based on his space-time theory of consciousness:
"Mental illness is largely caused by the disruption of the delicate checks and balances between competing feedback loops that simulate the future (usually because one region of the brain is o reactive or under-active)"
Some hospital today make use of DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation), a small probe inserted into a brain and applying electro shocks like a pacemaker, many disorders like depression, Parkinson's and epilepsy or even comma patients are being treated. So far DBS and pharmacotherapy, have been the best way to manage these cases but not the optimal state, sometimes only to ameliorate symptoms. Molecular reductionist approach has also helped understand the neurobiochemistry of many disorders and the main target that can guide new and more specific treatments. Now, the BRAIN initiative is expected to complete a detailed map of the brain at neural level with the possibility to understand the exact pathophisiology behind disorders like Alzheimer, Parkinson's, dementia or bipolar disorders and hopefully, the upcoming technology can give us a better approach to help many of these patients in a successful way. Could you imagine the possibility of a paralyzed patient to move thanks to the use of a microchip inserted to his brain?
In summary, the information given by Michio Kaku is accurate and I could probably stop at every topic and discuss many thoughts i have in mind related to neuroscience, from evolution to artificial intelligence, but i should leave you with something to read by yourself. His space-time theory of consciousness is good and useful and he tries to demonstrate its application throughout the book. Also, Kaku uses many analogies and examples with books and movies including Star Trek, Star Wars or Planet of the apes, A space odyssey 2001 and many other fictional characters to place the reader on the topic and it was quite funny to see his geek side, especially if you like them. So, what can we expect in the near future regarding treatments and technology? Is there really alien intelligence out there? Is it possible that Artificial Intelligence could ever develop consciousness and take decisions for us like Hal 9000? Would we continue evolving and give a big step towards the next Homo evolutis or Star Child or have we reached our limitations?
Read the book and allow your mind imagine all the possibilities that science could give our human race in the future!
A fantastic Voyage!