The Summer Thus Far, 16 June 2010

Getting here late...

So I got here a week later than Jenna and Jessica because of jury duty and living 3000 miles away from school. That said, I've caught up (I hope, anyway), and I can't wait to push farther into our research concerning the brain, education, and science.

What I knew/ expected...

I knew this institute would be of particular interest to me not only because I enjoy science, not only because I believe in an interdisciplinary approach between the Sciences and the Humanities, but also because the brain is a fascinating piece of the body. My own brain is a mystery to me, occasionally giving me interesting experiences and perspectives of my environment that concern or thrill me. Having been diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety, and having been improving upon those feelings bit by bit for three or four years now, I know that my personal brain experiences are a little different from the other people around me.

Work so far...

That said, I think differing perspectives concerning the brain and education, the ways in which mood and state of mind affect how one learns, are very interesting. While I've been pushing that way in my mini-project on Multiple Selves and Plural Personalities, I would like to explore the concept of the "depressed artist" further. I know that I was always more prolific when writing and painting before I started treating my mood disorders, and I know that many famous artists have dealt with depression or bipolar disorder...

Things to push further...

It would be interesting to see which parts of the brain are active when one is in those mood states and to see how they affect the perception of the world and of the way knowledge is filtered and stored. After all, looking at "quirky" brains in order to find out more about "normal" brains is one of the best ways to figure out how we work.