Preamble

                 A Statement of Purpose of Sorts

With the rapid progression of science, a new dominion has emerged, one where man can readily manipulate the beautiful underpinnings of the natural world. When existing in a society where whole organisms can be broken down into parts, molded to our liking and rebuilt, is it inevitable that we become irreverent of the natural world?

As a neuroscientist, I work in a field where we are considerably far from any complete understanding of our muse, the brain. It is possible to be in constant wonder of this organ as we have little knowledge of how the molecular details translate to complex functions. On the other hand, it is very easy as a scientist to become bogged down by the details (neuroscience has a barrage of those details!) to the point that one completely forgets how wondrous the whole thing is. 

So yes, even when practicing something as exciting as brain science, we can easily slide into a distanced state, risking our connection to the bigger picture.

What I have found most helpful, is taking time out each week to read, reflect and bring myself back to the enthusiastic state I had when learning neuroscience for the first time.

A neuron grows extensive branches along the surface of a plastic dish as it searches for neighbors to form connections with. (RE Mott, 2009)

I started this blog for that reflection, and to start a dialogue with others regarding neuroscience, scientific policy, the practice of science, and 'the bigger picture'.

So here it begins ....