That's a really interesting point you just made. Movement works in an inherently different way from concept elaboration, or recalling.
Most movements, particularly those part of the sympathic system do not even reach our conscious level of our brain - and are not elaborated by higher functions. If they are - as when you try to center a basket with a ball, you will be aware of that - therefore it seems that they are done automatically. That is partly true, in the sense that the lower parts of the brain elaborate them. As for the figurative recall it's interesting that you suggested the brain works that way, because most of our stimuli are elaborated in terms of images, and so it is very tempting to think that the brain works on images. In a way it is true I think. But I prefer to call them maps.. in that sets of neurons.. maps of neurons.. interpret what we 'see'. There are tons of different types of stimuli and concepts, and their difference is not as obvious as one would think.. that is why there are ppl who 'see' sounds or 'hear' images... particularly deaf and blind ppl. Also keep in mind that of the incredible amount of info that reaches us through our senses, we only elaborate a small percentage. I bet that if you close your eyes now, you won't be able to repeat word by word, this email. But you can surely repeat its 'meaning' because that is what the brain extracts. Same goes for words, pictures, sounds.. Have I bored anyone enough yet? ;-) > It strikes me that the prime example of this is movement. The brain > doesn't, I suggest, go through searches in producing movements. When we want > to play a "backhand" or a "forehand" or "throw a punch" or "kick", we more > or less immediately recall a rough, holistic figure of that movement, > (mainly kinaesthetic, partly visual), which is fluidly adaptable to the > precise physical situation and relevant objects - "along these lines" so to > speak. We don't search through lists of alternatives. Motor memories are > important because they are probably, evolutionarily, (no?) about the first > form of memory. > > Who, if anyone, is arguing for anything like this idea of the brain having > special powers of figurative recall? > ------------------------------ > *agi* | Archives <https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now> > <https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/> | > Modify<https://www.listbox.com/member/?&;>Your Subscription > <http://www.listbox.com> > -- A true friend stabs you in the front. - O. Wilde Einstein once thought he was wrong; then he discovered he was wrong. For every complex problem, there is an answer which is short, simple and wrong. - H.L. Mencken ------------------------------------------- agi Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/ Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=108809214-a0d121 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
