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. buy prednisone online 10 mg canada
  2. Georgesox

    Source:

    - ??????18.??

  3. buying lopressor no prescription

    Drugs information sheet. Brand names.
    buying lopressor no prescription
    Everything news about medicament. Read information here.

  4. JesseAlbus
  5. BrandonNon

    ??? ???????? ????. ? ??? ???????????.
    ? ???????? ????? ???????? ?? ?’???????? ????? ?????? ????????? ??????. ? ???????? ?????? ?? ? ????? ???????, http://bbs.yongrenqianyou.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=4234124&do=profile&from=space ? ??? sweet bonanza ?? ????????? ????? ?? ?????????????.

  6. ??? ?????

    It is the best time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time
    to be happy. I have read this publish and if I may just I wish to recommend you some interesting things
    or advice. Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
    I want to learn even more things approximately it!

  7. rajasatu88

    Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.

    The clearness on your publish is just nice and
    that i can assume you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Fine together with your permission let me to grab your feed to stay updated with coming
    near near post. Thank you one million and please continue the
    rewarding work.

  8. pkv games

    Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg
    it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident
    they will be benefited from this site.

  9. Erikreeme

    ? ?? ????? ???????
    ???????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????????? ?????? ? ????????? ?????, https://telegra.ph/Kompleksnaya-reabilitaciya-obeih-chelyustej-s-primeneniem-skulovoj-implantacii-04-08 ??????? ?? ??? ?????????? ???????????? ?????????.

  10. rajasatu88

    Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this amazing site needs far more attention. I’ll probably
    be back again to read more, thanks for the advice!

  11. Soniajesty

    first, desktop sites have blue screens, which gives a chance users to view several versions of bets, odds, https://feadanismanlik.com/2025/04/23/experience-the-thrill-of-1win-aviator-a-new/ and markets at the same time without resorting to excessive scrolling.

  12. SarahWAb

    ??? ??????? ????? ????
    Our agents have been selected and trained to have chance to provide our partners with https://ibanner.bannerch.org/comprehensive-guide-to-enclosed-car-transport/ taking into account their needs.

  13. where to buy cheap kemadrin tablets
  14. SCATTER HITAM
  15. ?????

    queen,art the fairest in all the land.???? ????

  16. estrelas bet

    Aposte nos Jogos Mais Populares do Cassino estrelas bet!

  17. JesseAlbus
  18. website

    Hi are using Wordpress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but
    I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you
    need any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  19. JesseAlbus
  20. JesseAlbus
  21. Williamundup

    ????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ? ??????? ???????????????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????? ???????? ? ????????????, ?????????? ? ????????????. ????????? ????, ????? ? ??????? ???? ? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ????? https://vyzov-santehnika-almaty.kz/

  22. JesseAlbus
  23. JesseAlbus
  24. JesseAlbus
  25. JesseAlbus
  26. MiriamSer

    ????????? ?? ?????? ? ???? ???????, ?????? ? ?? ?????? ????? ??????.
    fur erhalt/Erledigung zusatzliche/gro?ere Informationen/Daten uber eigene/unsere https://zvknrw.de/ betonred besuchen Sie diese/unsere Seite/Adresse. Das Team von betonred bietet umfassende/globale umfassende/globale/universelle/universelle umfassende Unterstutzung Passagiere uber verschiedene/alle Arten Kanale.

  27. MiriamUnani

    The use of stem cell transplantation in autism helps to modulate immune responses by inducing anti-inflammatory processes and reduction of https://stemcellcarepricing.com/.

  28. Justinquini

    accessing your account account at betwinner is an immediate and comfortable process at Betwinner http://sigolamping.com/?p=504381. First you need to log in to your account/account on resource.

  29. Williamundup

    ????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ? ??????? ???????????????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????? ???????? ? ????????????, ?????????? ? ????????????. ????????? ????, ????? ? ??????? ???? ? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????????? ?? ??? ????????

  30. Phising dan penipu

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this excellent blog!
    I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to
    my Google account. I look forward to fresh
    updates and will share this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  31. WilliamKed
  32. JesseAlbus
  33. can i get cheap inderal pills
  34. where to get cheap trileptal price

    Pills information sheet. Short-Term Effects.
    where to get cheap trileptal price
    Everything about medicine. Get information now.

  35. shart303

    We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site provided us with useful information to work on. You have performed an impressive process and our entire community will probably
    be grateful to you.

  36. where buy generic persantine online
  37. Devinhooca

    ????????? ? ???? ????????. ? ???? ???-?? ???? ? ??? ???????? ???? ????. ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????????.
    users can post on main page a panel with current trades, charts, orders, https://myunomobile.com/mastering-the-market-a-deep-dive-into-crypto/ and publications primexbt. Diversification – gives a chance to visitors to diversify their trading algorithms, chasing several traders with different approaches.

  38. Phising dan penipu

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.

    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
    Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.

  39. Williamundup

    ????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ? ??????? ???????????????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????? ???????? ? ????????????, ?????????? ? ????????????. ????????? ????, ????? ? ??????? ???? ? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????????? ?? ??? ??????

  40. Link Alternatif Iontogel

    Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after looking at some
    of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly delighted I
    stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!

  41. TammyWelty

    in other words , participants in the game who make http://giannipatteri.ilbello.com/parimatch-aviator-uznajte-vse-sekrety-uspeha-v/ can monitor by dealing your cards in Blackjack or Baccarat in rhythm mode real time. The bonus increases to $1,650 upon replenishment of the balance in the amount of from 150 bucks and more.

  42. Mattpaf

    ?? ?? ?????. ?????? ??? ? PM.
    ??? ??????? ? ????????? ???????????? ???? ??? ????, ? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ????????????. ?? ???? ???? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ????? ? ????????? ??????????, http://guestbook.os-ms.de/ ???????????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ??????????.

  43. can you buy generic periactin tablets
  44. Mayrax

    ??, ?????????????. ? ? ? ???? ??????????. ??????? ??????? ???? ??????. ????? ??? ? PM.
    ???????????? – ????????? ????????? ?????????????? ???? https://delvalcremation.com/thumb1/ ?????????. ???????????? ???????????? ??????-?????? ????????? ? ????????? ? ???? ????????? ????? ?????.

  45. where can i buy dutasteride without prescription

    Drugs information. What side effects can this medication cause?
    where can i buy dutasteride without prescription
    All what you want to know about drugs. Read information here.

  46. can you get generic bystolic no prescription
  47. Brianpails

    If you??™re interested, this article is a must-read http://mop.5nx.ru/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1853

  48. Phising dan penipu

    I want to to thank you for this excellent read!!
    I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you
    saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post…

  49. Everetttox

    ???????? ?????? ??? ??????????? ??-????-????????? https://alglaah.com/index.php?threads/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AB%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%81.2676/#post-214728, ??????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ??????? ????????? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ??. ??-?? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??????, ???????? ???????? ??????? ? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????, ???????? ??? ????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ???????.

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

    ? ???????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????????????? ? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???????????:
    ???????????? ??????? ?????
    ???????
    ????????? ????
    LIVE-?????? ? ????????? ????????
    ??????? ? ??????? ????

    ????????? ????? ????????? ???????, ???????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ?????????????.

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

    ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????, ?????????? ???????? ? ???????????? ?????. ?????????? ???????? ???????????? ??????, ??????? ? ???????? ??????? ? ???????????? ???????????.

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

    ? ??? ? ?????? ?????? ? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??????????????. ???? ??????? ????? ??????????? ???????????????? ????? ?? ????, ??????? ?????? ????????????? ??????? ??????? ????????.

    ??????? ??? ?????????????? ??????? ?????, ?????? ??????????? ????????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?????????. ????? ???? ?????:

    ?????????????????? ???? ????? ? ??????????? ???????
    ?????????? ???? ? ??????? ???????
    ?????? ?? ??? ????? ? LIVE-??????
    ??????????? ?? ???? ?????? ? ???????? ???????????

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

    ????? ?????? ???? ? ????? ??????????? ??????? ???????, ?????????????:
    ??????????? ?? ??????????? Telegram-?????? ??????
    ????????? ???????? ????????????
    ???????? ???????? ?? ???????? ? ???????????? ????????

    ????? ????? ???????????? VPN ??? ??????????????????? ??????????, ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ? ?????????? ?????? ?????.

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

    ?????? ???????? ??????????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????, ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????????? ? ????????????.
    ?????? ????????? ??????????????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ? ???????? ??????? ?????.

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

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

    ??????

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

  50. VictorWag

    ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ????????? ?????? ?? ???? ? ?????? ?? ????! ??????? ?????? ????? ???????, ??????? ? ???????? ?????? ?? ???????? ???????. ???????????????? ???????? ? ??????? ???? ???? ???????. ?????? ???????????! ?????? ???? ???! ?????????? ? https://himchistka-divanov-spb24.ru – ????????? ?????? ????????

Leave a Reply