Notes on Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain by David Eagleman
Some organisms can thrive in vastly different environments. This book explains how they do it.
Instead of being programmed, or hardwired, to do countless tasks, brains are livewired to take advantage of whatever is available. They learn how to work with peripheral input (sensory) and output (motor) devices by using them and getting feedback. The shape of the devices is irrelevant: what matters are the data. It is possible to see and hear through touch, to see through sound, and so on. As a consequence, a new type of sensor can yield a new type of feeling (qualia).
In a way, brains are general-purpose prediction machines constantly creating and updating models of the world. When their predictions are accurate, the data might not be represented in order to save energy. For example, we usually do not notice the weight of our shoes even though our brains get data about it. When something unexpected happens, however, the data are represented. This is why we notice pebbles in our shoes.
To predict away as many things as possible, brains need information. Therefore, they have developed infotropism—they use their peripheral devices to go where the information is. If one or more of these devices is damaged, brains rewire and keep going. We do not die when we lose an arm; we learn to live without it. Conversely, if a new device is introduced, e.g., a third arm while wearing virtual reality goggles, brains quickly learn how to use it.
We are only beginning to understand how all this works. David Eagleman imagines an exciting future where we can build livewired machines and buildings, effectively substitute and enhance our senses, and even create new senses for our species. While this sounds like science fiction, he might not be far from the truth. The question is how long it will take us to get there.
