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The notion of the brain as boxes inside of boxes inside of boxes ad infinitum as generators and transmitters of inputs and outputs is interesting. And to me, it makes sense. But I have to admit I was a bit dismayed when I first found out we wouldn’t be learning much neuroanatomy. I think it would be very interesting to learn about what these boxes are and which ones are generally believed to process and generate which outputs and inputs. How do these different compartments interact with one another?

    We did clarify, however, that we would be examining the building blocks of the brain, the neurons and I’m excited about this. The asymmetry of the neurons makes them clear input/output mechanisms, receiving inputs, transmitting them as outputs… But, as many of us are asking, where do the inputs and outputs come from? Are they generated by neurons? Is there an input/output creating mechanism in each “box”? What “creates” and transmits atypical messages, causing seizures, low production of serotonin, ADHD, etc.? We all have many questions about the information we were presented with last week and I think these questions will be more than sufficient to continue our exploration of the brain. Perhaps we don’t have to know what every little part of the brain is thought to do. Not yet anyway. For now I’m ready to just see where our questions take us.