welcome to the human brain

When you are starting a new job in less than a week, you’re dealing with at least two lists. There’s the long errand and shopping and chore-focused to-do list (get dress tailored, do laundry, buy black boots, sew buttons on cardigan…), and then there’s the more abstract list of things that would be fun or smart or healthy for you to do while you have the time, so you can at least tell yourself that you took advantage of the last few days of this period that gets dramatically and not entirely accurately referred to as “freedom.” If you live in New York, topping the list of things you always want and mean to do, but rarely manage is: Go to a museum. Miraculously, Alice had free passes to the Museum of Natural History. Even better, she was willing to play hooky from work to go with me.

In the special exhibit about the brain, I learned that if neurons were marbles, each of us would have enough to fill the New York Public Library. Some of the text in the exhibit was hilariously matter-of-fact, like, “Just when you’re trying your best to be reasonable, your emotions can lead you astray.” There was also this: “By the time you reach your twenties, your brain is functioning at its peak. After that, little by little, the number of neural connections declines.” We played games designed to test your memory and reaction time and various other things we all hope to be good at: trying to trace a shape while looking in a mirror, reading names of colors printed in other colors, attempting to learn the Braille alphabet in a couple of minutes. Then we went to the museum café and each had an $11 panini.

Since it was snowing and a weekday, there was hardly anyone in the butterfly conservatory, so we got to walk around in the humid little tank for as long as we wanted, pointing and exclaiming at the butterflies flying around (The giant shiny blue one! The lacy orange and white one! The one with transparent wings!) and getting a little delirious from the sudden heat. Being in that place is perfect therapy for wintertime; it makes you giddy and melt-y and prone to hugging your friend and telling her how happy you are to be right there with her.

Later, we listened to Whoopi Goldberg narrate a “journey” into space. We watched a strange IMAX movie about aquatic dinosaurs. We went up to the fourth floor and walked through room after room (or “hall” after “hall”) of those dinosaurs and their relatives, skeletons and reconstructions and missing pieces. We went to the Hall of Ocean Life and looked up at the giant whale and at the dioramas that are my favorite, favorite thing—so carefully staged and gently glowing—and then traipsed through the North American Forests and New York State Environment sections, clearly the least loved and restored parts of the museum, with their dated signage and general quaintness, on our way to the hall of minerals and gems, where we wanted to go because we are girls and we like sparkly things. Or really, because I used to be obsessed with rocks.

I used to be obsessed with lots of the things the museum is preoccupied with, which is maybe why I have more affection for it than I do for the Met. The Natural History Museum feels more personal, making me think about how fiercely I used to love dinosaurs—how all kids love dinosaurs, and always will, and how mind-bendingly cool they are to people of all ages, whether or not they want to admit it (the array of dino-themed merch in the giftshop testifies to this, and while I’m on board with a dinosaur-shaped ladle and an ice-cube tray that makes ice in the shape of dinosaur bones, I could do without the pink kiddie t-shirt emblazoned with a sparkly dinosaur and the words “Prehistoric Princess”). All these dinosaurs remind me that, at one early point, I vaguely wanted to be a paleontologist (who didn’t?). The oddly straightforward and therefore semi-uncomfortable histories of various peoples remind me that I wanted to be an archaeologist. The meteors and big hunks of crazily colored rock remind me that for a little while, I really, really wanted to be a geologist. Or an environmentalist or some kind, testing rain with little ph strips to find out its acid content. Or some other profession that involved catching salamanders and subjecting them to a series of random, gentle tests. The trappings of science have always been a real stimulant for me, probably more than art, even though art is technically where my loyalties lie. Science sucks me in with its taxonomies and patient explanations (even if I don’t understand them; Whoopi’s narration in the planetarium was enthusiastic, but it didn’t make it any easier to process the idea of space or dark matter or how a star is born), its objects lined up and labeled behind glass.

My various science-y aspirations pretty much ended when I got to middle school and realized I couldn’t wrap my brain around carbon dating or isotopes or even fractions. It’s a little sad, mostly in retrospect, and mostly because it lines up so neatly and misleadingly with the abilities girls are and aren’t supposed to be confident about at that age. It’s depressing to think about how I much I used to love experiments, until I had to do them in a classroom with an accompanying worksheet or lab report, and grades. But I don’t think I was ever really going to be a scientist. The way I love all this stuff now is the same way I loved it as a kid, based on emotions and aesthetics. I’m romanced by it in a way that doesn’t require real understanding or expertise, and in some ways depends on the lack of exactly those things. It’s enough for me to look at everything laid out so carefully, the volume and detail of it overwhelming, and to let myself be amazed by big things like time and extinction, and little things like the birds painted into the background of a diorama, and the way stars looked on the curved ceiling of the planetarium. There’s the memory of a field trip here to see “Dinosaurs Alive” when I was in second grade, two Rainforest Alliance galas held in the shadow of the giant whale, tumbled rocks in the gift shop that my fingers are still drawn to. And now this quiet, perfect, snowy day in a museum with a good friend, right before things change again.

23,582 responses to “welcome to the human brain”

  1. JasonRhike

    …?? ???, ????????? ..???
    «?????????? ?????? ???, ??? ????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????????????? ?????. ?? ?? ??????, ??? ??????? ??? ????????? ???????, ????????? ?????, «??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ? ???? ?????, http://hotelinpuri.in/st_hotel/hotel-vijoya-international/ ???? ??? ????????????».

  2. Susanslene
  3. Hotels near Cap-Haitien Airport

    Helpful info. Fortunate me I found your website accidentally, and I am surprised why this accident didn’t came about in advance!
    I bookmarked it.

    Take a look at my website: Hotels near Cap-Haitien Airport

  4. JoshBrany

    ??, ?????????????. ? ? ? ???? ??????????.
    A light grey satin finish with a subtle shimmer will transform any dining set, https://vin.is/hello-world/ and platinum accents set this collection apart.

  5. can i purchase cheap keflex online

    Pills prescribing information. Short-Term Effects.
    can i purchase cheap keflex online
    Everything what you want to know about medicines. Get here.

  6. Wilforddof

    Looking for an AI art generator free? Create stunning digital artwork effortlessly with cutting-edge AI technology.

  7. Residence Royale Hotel in Cap-Haitien

    Good article. I am facing a few of these issues as well..

    Here is my blog – Residence Royale Hotel in Cap-Haitien

  8. phim sex hoc sinh viet nam

    I really like reading an article that will make people think.
    Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!

  9. mpo8080 daftar

    This is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this
    one. A must read post!

  10. Appliance Repair in Boca Raton

    It’s genuinely very difficult in this full of
    activity life to listen news on TV, so I simply use world wide web
    for that purpose, and get the most recent news.

    my blog post; Appliance Repair in Boca Raton

  11. sexy lingerie

    Greetings! I’ve been reading your website for some time now and finally got the courage
    to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas!
    Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work!

  12. DannyPoorm

    ? ??????, ??? ?? ?? ?????. ?????? ??? ? PM, ???????.
    ? ?? ????????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? https://www.indiegenofest.it/brunori-sas-a-indiegeno-fest-2014/ ? ???????? ???????? ????? ????????? ??? ????????? ?????? ? ????????? ????????. ??????? ??????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ????????????? ??????????? ?????????? ???????????? ??????????.

  13. JHONBET77 link alternatif

    Fine write ups Many thanks!

  14. Hotels in Cap-Haitien

    This is the right site for anyone who wants to understand this topic.

    You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I
    personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been written about for a long time.
    Great stuff, just excellent!

    my webpage; Hotels in Cap-Haitien

  15. where buy sustiva without prescription
  16. Résidence Royale Hotel

    Howdy! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for
    this site? I’m getting fed up of Wordpress because I’ve had problems with hackers
    and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would
    be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Here is my blog :: Résidence Royale Hotel

  17. New Look Car Rental in Haiti

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I
    am impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the
    last part :) I care for such information a lot.
    I was seeking this certain info for a very long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

    my website … New Look Car Rental in Haiti

  18. romance movies to watch

    I visit each day a few sites and sites romance movies to watch read posts,
    except this weblog offers feature based content.

  19. pkv games

    The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a
    youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83
    views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  20. Robgow

    ????? ?????????? ?????
    ??????? ?????????? ? ???????? ?? ?????????? ????, ?? ???????? ????? ????? ?????????”, https://www.ibra.com.ua/analytics/165581-vyivod-usdt-na-kartu – ??????? ????????. ????? ? ????????????? ????????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ?????????, ???, ? ??????? ?????????.

  21. Gladyswrami

    ???? ?????? ????????? ?????? ??? ????????

    ?????? ????????? ????????? ? ??????? ????-??????????, ??????? ?????????? ??????? ?????????????, ?????? ??? ??? ????????? ? ??????????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ?????????? ????????????, ? ??????? ????? ????????, ????, ??????? ?????-?? ???? ??? ??????. ??????? ????????????? ?? ????????, ????????, ?????????? ?????, ????? ????, ??? ????? ????????????? ? ????????????? ????????????. ???????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ? ??????? ???????? ??, ??? ?? ????? ?????????, ??? ?????? ??????????? ? ????? ?????????????? ??? ???? ???????? ????????, ??? ????, ???? ? ????????? ??????.

    ??????????? ????? «????????????» ?????????? ???????? ? ????????????? ????????? ?????? ? ???????, ? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??????????? ? ??????. ???????? ?????????? ?? ????? ????? 5 ??? ? ?????? ????????????????, ??????? ? ???????????? ??????????? ??????????. ???????????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ?????????, ? ??????? ????? ?????? ???, ????? ??? ??????? ????? ? ???? ???????? ? ????????? ???????? ??????. ? ??? ??????, ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? http://bytovkistart.ru/ – ??? ??, ??? ?? ??????!

    ???????? ??????? ?????

    ?????? ????? ?????????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????????, ? ??????:

    • ??????? ???????????, ??????????? ? ??????????? ???????.
    • ????????? ????????? ? ????????? ????????.
    • ???????????? ?????????, ??????? ?????????????? ???????.
    • ???????, ??????? ????????????? ??? ???????????? ??????, ???????? ??????? ? ??????????? ??? ???????????? ???????????.
    • ????? ?????? ?????? ????????????.

    ?????? ?????, ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ? ?????, ? ????? ???????? ?????, ????? ????????? ????? ??????? ? ???-??????? ????????.

    ???????????? ?????

    ???????? ???????????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??, ??? ????? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ? ?????? ??????????? ??? ???????????, ??? ????????? ????? ????????? ???? ????????? ?? ????????? ?????????. ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ? ????????? ?????????? ? ????????? ?? ? ?????? ????? ? ??????? ???????????? ????????????, ????? ????, ?? ??? ??????? ?????? 5 ??? ??????????? ????????. ? ????? ????? ????????, ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ????????????? ?????????? ??? ???????????? ????????? ? ???????????? ?????????!

  22. demetra cartomante. demetra sensitiva

    I could not resist commenting. Well written!

  23. blog.simpleledger.at

    Thanks very nice blog!

  24. Desa Tajurhalang

    Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to know a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something.
    I believe that you simply could do with some % to drive the message house a bit,
    however instead of that, this is excellent
    blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  25. how to get trandate for sale
  26. Car window tinting Franklin

    Hi mates, its fantastic paragraph regarding tutoringand
    entirely explained, keep it up all the time.

  27. promethizine otc

    Meds information sheet. Long-Term Effects.
    promethizine otc
    All information about drug. Read now.

  28. AndreSpusy

    Greetings music enthusiasts!
    Why Globex Music Is the Go-To for Breakout Cover Artists. Alisha Larry??™s smash cover of Can??™t Get You Out of My Head??”distributed via Globex Music??”proves indie artists can compete with majors. With lightning-fast releases and legal safeguards, it??™s no wonder rising stars are flocking to the platform. > Listen to the proof here https://music.apple.com/us/song/cant-get-you-out-of-my-head/1805203094
    i can’t get you out of my head remix
    kylie minogue can’t get you out of my head extended
    Happy listening!

  29. buy prednisone cheap
  30. esta visa for usa from uk

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter
    to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the
    hang of it!

  31. Leonardexpix

    ?????? ?????? ? ??????!
    ? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ???????. ??????? ???? ????? ???????????? ? ??????? ???????. ??????? ??????? — ???? ??????? ???????. ????? ??????, ??????? ??????????. ???????? ???? — ????????!
    ??? ?????????? ?? ?????? – https://t.me/aufofficial_casino
    auf casino ????????, auf casino, auf
    ??????? ???????!

  32. AndreSpusy

    Good day music fans!
    From Nostalgia to Nightlife: Alisha Larry??™s Cover Is the Ultimate Party Anthem. Remember blasting Can??™t Get You Out of My Head in the early 2000s? Alisha Larry just gave it a modern dance-floor twist, and it??™s dominating playlists. Thanks to Globex Music cover distribution, the track is now live everywhere??”ready to soundtrack your next night out. > Stream it here https://music.apple.com/us/song/cant-get-you-out-of-my-head/1805203094
    can’t get you out of my head house remix
    i can t get you out of my head remix
    Happy listening!

  33. ngentot

    Yes! Finally someone writes about pepek.

  34. CourtneyOccak

    ?? ???????? ????? ???????))????? ???????
    and, in the https://icw19.telkomnika.com/blog/2025/03/31/the-exciting-world-of-8mbets-betting-and-beyond/ you will be able to find modern play station – in each of institution with most high rating, indicated.

  35. TheBuzzLive

    Very nice article. I certainly love this site.
    Keep writing!

  36. Davidwew

    ????? ? ????
    ???????? data insight ????????? {?????|???????} ?????????? {????????|??????|???????}-????????? {??|?? ???? ??????|??????} ?? #file_linksC:\Users\Admin\Desktop\file\gsa+ru+seomaster25k200k300k400k904253P2URLBB.txt”,1,N] ?????? 2021 ????. ? {2019|???????} ???? wildberries ????? ????? ????????? {?????|????????} ? {????????|??????} {?????|????????{????????????????|??????????|??????????????|?????????????|??????????|????????} {???????|?????????????} ???????? ??????, ?????????????? {?? ?????????|? ???????|?? ????????|? ????????|? ?????????} ??????? forbes.

  37. uborka_shSl

    ???????????? ??????????? ?????? ? ????????? ??????? ????? ? ?????-??????????? ???? ??????? ???????????? ??????????? ??????? ? ? ??????? ? ????? ????! ?? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ? ??????????? ????????, ????? ?? ????? ??????? ????????? ??? ??????. ???????? https://chisto-v-srok.ru

  38. Buy Links

    Youre not the regular blog author, man. You definitely have something important to contribute
    to the World Wide Web. Such a wonderful blog.
    I will revisit again for more.

  39. VictoriaIceta

    ??????? ?????????? ???? ??????????????.
    ????? ?????, https://haririjal.com.np/bimstudynotes/ ?? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ???????? ????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?? 60 000x.? ??????? Nolimit city ?????? ?? ?????? ??? 6×3 ?? 6×6 ? 486-46 656 ????????? ???????.

  40. TammyHarse

    ??????? ??????
    ? ????????? ??????? ???????????? ???????? ? ???????? ????????? 59 https://tools.org.ua/nl/www/kalyancity.com.ua ??/??. ????????????? ?????? (27 ?????? 2021). ???? ?????????: 5 ?????? 2021. ???????????? 27 ?????? 2021 ????.

  41. supertogel

    WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
    Uncategorized

  42. prednisone 10mg dose pack 48
  43. sildigra soft tabs 100mg sildenafil
  44. Séries de fantasia para adolescentes com magia e aventura

    Olá você se importaria em compartilhar qual plataforma de blog você
    está trabalhando? Estou procurando começar meu
    próprio blog em breve, mas estou tendo um difícil momento para tomar uma decisão
    entre BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution e Drupal.
    O motivo pelo qual pergunto é porque seu layout
    parecem diferentes da maioria dos blogs e estou procurando algo completamente único.
    PS Desculpe por sair do assunto, mas eu tinha que perguntar!

  45. Buy Medical Marijuana

    My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about
    a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have
    heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a
    way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  46. doxycycline and diclofenac a comprehensive exploration of their combined effects

    Medication information. Brand names.
    doxycycline and diclofenac a comprehensive exploration of their combined effects
    Actual what you want to know about medicament. Read information here.

  47. official website

    Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter
    group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.

    Please let me know. Thanks

  48. Mercedesloods

    ? ?????, ??? ?? ??????????. ??????? ???????. ?????? ??? ? PM, ?????????.
    Serve breakfast with {operation|functioning|use of} #file_linksC:\Users\Admin\Desktop\file\gsa+en+1k10k100kTdyudyunov1104253P2URLBB.txt”,1,N] and {listen|enjoy} a meal with elegant porcelain plates and {silver-plated cutlery|household appliances. Christofle tableware collections are {invented|invented|designed|created} for {a wide|rich|all-encompassing} {range|assortment} of special occasions, from intimate gatherings to {huge|large-scale|grandiose} celebrations.

  49. XUDO21 – Free Online Movies Streaming Site

    Discover thousands of the latest and popular films from various genres.
    Enjoy high-quality movie streaming experience without any subscription needed.

  50. bitcoin cash

    I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your
    blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to
    say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
    1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

Leave a Reply