Ctrl…Alt…Delete: Cerebrum Reboot
CTRL, ATL, DELETE: CEREBRUM REBOOT
Disclaimer: The text below is not written by, nor or for professional informational use for neuroscience and or computer science application. Though such terminology is included, it is also the metaphoric view of this writer’s approach to reprogramming the supercomputer of the human body, in particular, the cerebrum functions of the brain.
In reading this passage, the activation of the occipital cortex is processing the visual content presented including words and letters. The frontal lobe of the neocortex has engaged in transforming the meaning of the words and sentences to establish the big picture. The parietal lobe then recognizes activity has begun and begins governing the sensory combinations and comprehension[1]; reading has ignited. Now the activation of the temporal lobe initiates the tedious tasks of processing sounds of the words on the page. However, the reading is taking place in silent mode (not audible). Now one must determine what portion of this passage is vital to the remainder of this blog? Will this blog lead to a more profound explanation? Alternatively, does it stop here?
While reading, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Adler and Van Doren, the only thing that came to mind was CTRL, ALT, Delete; it is time for a hard reset since portions of this cerebrum needs a manual reboot. The user has been pre-programmed to inaccurately gather information forcing the cerebrum to function in an abnormal state analyzing and processing large amounts and at times inappropriate amounts of unnecessary information. It is time to terminate all reading applications and reboot the cerebrum (operating system).
SPECIAL OPERATION DISCOVERY (CTRL)
Being faced with the challenge to edit this way of thinking has its benefits and its disadvantages. The discovery that there is no one application fits all; reading in a different perspective gives a broader ability to expand. At this point, the cerebrum has experienced an influx of information. Conversely, with the new addition of information on reading, it has paused slightly in the frontal and parietal lobe where the reasoning and comprehension have commenced. No longer is the bigger picture clear and precise. Thus, the special operation’s key is initiated to make an adequate move for updated information and inclusion of the reading levels given by Adler and Van Doren, including elementary reading, inspectional reading, analytical and synoptic reading.
The techniques of highlighting, linking references and synthesizing were in the foundational arsenal of the user, on the contrary, the diverse levels of reading did not make it on the radar. The user always addressed reading in one particular fashion; read the book through entirely using the techniques but never adjusting to recognize all books should not be interpreted the same. In the book, it states, “Every book should be read no more slowly than it deserves, and no more quickly than you can read it with satisfaction and comprehension.”[2]
MODIFYING THE PROCESSING SYSTEM (ALT)
As a child, the phrase “reading is fundamental” resounded loudly in the hallways and classrooms of every elementary, middle and high school. The more time dedicated to reading, the more knowledge acquired. If a book was too complicated or above grade level; encouragement was given to read with an accompaniment of a thesaurus and dictionary; for they were the keys to greater understanding and greater vocabulary. If comprehension did not occur during the first read; the second read guaranteed understanding. Besides, it was a good doctor that said “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”[3]
For someone who loves to read and digest every word and every syllable; who loves to engage in the writing and get lost in the translation so to speak; this transition is challenging. However, though it is challenging the desire to keep up with the demands of higher education deems it necessary to make the adjustments.
In graduate school, the eight-week semester required for students to read at least five to six 300 to 500-page books and write a two-page critique for each book as well as discussion board of 300 words or less. The task of reading was substantial yet rewarding since the information provided in the books were intriguing, insightful and thought-provoking. Consequently, the critique in itself provided an ongoing issue. The reoccurring question greeted every critique, “How is it possible to take all of the information learned and put it into two-pages?’ The amount of information accumulated during the readings caused a standoff with the limited information needed for the assignment.
Perhaps if the read of Adler’s book occurred before or during graduate school, then the task of a two-page critique would have been less complicated.
DELETE USELESS FILES
With the modifier and special discovery key, there is one final addition to include to make the reboot complete. It is the delete key function. Determining the information to keep or to send to the trash box is the hardest step in the rebooting process. Nevertheless, with knowledge comes the responsibility and power to change. Old information and new information collide as the processing system allows the virus scan and the clean system programs to run in the background. Some emotional factors and conveyed fundamental truths of reading are on the line. The user’s fingers gently give a touch of pressure to each key; CTRL, ALT, DELETE. As the user’s fingers are released simultaneously, the realization sets in that the stalled programming has been interrupted and the reboot process has begun. The system reboots, and it asks if the previous application should be reopened. The NO response is selected, no a new and refreshed edition of application is chosen to explore.
Reading may be fundamental, but how to read is vital.
[1] Gary Null, Reboot Your Brain: a Natural Approach to Fight Memory Loss, Dementia (New York: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., 2013), 17-18, http://images.contentreserve.com/imagetype-100/1486-1/{95bf6e1b-12dc-4ba3-93c5-85c3ef0d0eba}img100.jpg.
[2] Mortimer Jerome Adler, How to Read a Book, touchstone hardcover ed. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2014), 43.
[3] Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut, I Can Read It All by Myself (New York: Beginner Books, 1978).
About the Author
Shermika Harvey
5 responses to “Ctrl…Alt…Delete: Cerebrum Reboot”
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Loving the picture….
Excellent, creative approach! It sounds like you have been talking to my husband about his PhD program in Human Development. It is fascinating and extremely helpful to understand the magnificent mind we are going to be engaging, most likely, in new ways.
Deleting Useless Files seems to be the number one thing I am working on this semester. Delete all the things that are now useless and time wasting, and prioritize those things that are NOT useless. Good for reading and for life!
This was so good, Shermika! I loved the creativity in it! In fact, I showed my husband who is a software solutions analyst, (basically the sweetest computer nerd ever) and he resonated with your work!
Well done!
Thank you Shermika, it was good reading from an IT specialist point of view and see how to better organize the knowledge from books in our minds a much better and productive way, while setting aside the less useful information.