Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Render a guess: Our need to create

I've recently discovered Oliver Sachs. About a month ago my physics teacher told me what with my love for reading and my secret passion for neuroscience I should pick up a book by Oliver Sachs. Well a lack of money prevented me from buying a book. However, in psych our teacher had us watch Awakenings, an adaptation of one his books. This movie was remarkable. Well, I went back to talk to Mr. Dempsey, my physics teacher, about it and he told me about a man who after undergoing some trauma had an intense need to paint. Now that is what he does...all of the time. He paints, he creates. Well, by some freak coincidence I went home and turned on the Science Channel to The Secret Life of the Brain which was an episode on that very same guy. Well, I've always had a secret passion for neuroscience but now its even more prominent.

So, why am I writing about it? Because I want to write about people and their scientific need to create. Cool, huh? I'm not sure what form this writing will take. A poem, a short story...maybe even one day a novel, but I will write about it.

Maslows Hieracrchy of Human Needs says that our first needs are our physicological needs. Feed ourselves, hyrdate ourselves. After that we move on to safety; this is why we have shelter. Beyond that is our sense of belonging. For this, we make friends and have families. Then comes our esteem, this is how we fit in our lives according to ourselves and other. Lastly, when all of these other requirements are met, we create. But when our brains are altered by some outside force our needs, our requirements are reordered. Lighting, injury, surgery all influence our priorities. And the best part? Scientists dont even know why.
...but artists can guess.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Best foot forward

This weekend has been pretty awful. At one point, I escaped from my house in attempt to find some peaceful solitude. I was going to write, but decided I didnt want to taint my notebook with negativity. So instead, I just sat by the creek and cried. I felt much better afterwards, but then I had to go home. That was a mistake. *sigh* I never thought I would look forward to a Monday! Nevertheless, I can't wait...
There is no point in this ramble today other than I just wanted to type something. I could explain away my weekend, but I've been trying not to reflect too hard on all that...badness. I know who I am. Thats good enough for me. So, best foot forward!