Neuroscientists at the University of Southern California have proposed a
simple explanation for the pleasure of grasping a new concept: The brain
is getting its fix. According to researcher Irving Biederman, the "click"
of comprehension triggers a biochemical cascade that rewards the brain
with a shot of natural opium-like substances.
One wonders then why the under-25 denizens of the burned-out cores of
today's cities (case in point, downtown Buffalo NY) seem to not have this
addiction. Perhaps loud rap music destroys the cells necessary for the
production of these substances, negating The Pleasure of Finding Things Out.
"...natural opium-like substances." Hmmm. Allow me to be the first to say:
"Knowledge should be the opiate of the masses!" ;)
--Kyle
