From: Dan Adams (danadams@yahoo.com)
Date: Wed May 31 2000 - 15:28:06 MDT
--- Ken Clements <Ken@Innovation-On-Demand.com> wrote:
> Anders Sandberg wrote:
>
> > Well, since I'm such a fan of James H. Austin's
> _Zen and the Brain_ I
> > would like to suggest it. It looks at the
> neuroscience of Zen, a quite
> > interesting synthesis attempt.
> >
>
> I have been slowly working my way through this book,
> and would like to hear
> more on what you got out of it.
>
> -Ken
I read that book (*very* slowly) about a year ago and
was amazed by how insightful it was. There were parts
that were sketchy as to their relation/significance
but, Austen can hardly be blamed - he's got an
pre-modern, mystical account on one hand, and a
science in its developmental infancy in the other.
The dude deserves some kudos! It struck me as a sort
of techno-sutra in parts (but, that was probably
intentional/unavoidable - quite enjoyable).
**five minutes elapses**
I've just pulled it off my shelf and am glancing
through it. I'd forgotten just how comprehensive the
content is! The discussion/explanation that could
soooo easily degenerate into Dan-style pedagogy is
strongly supported by a wealth of experimental data.
Anyone who has a copy might glance over it again, give
a page number, and suggest a topic... ;-)
His discussion of the altered states created by
foreign substances (see "The fleeting truths of
nitrous oxide", p.407 in the '98 MIT paper edition -
the first two sentences are the only reason I had my
wisdom teeth removed ;-)
Well, enough for now - I'm late - I think I'm becoming
dependent on transhumanist thought.
BEST,
=====
-------
Dan Adams
Boston College
617.782.4050
"I cannot articulate enough to express my dislike to people who think that understanding spoils your experience...How would they know?"
- Marvin Minsky
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