Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson frequently discusses the human brain with wonder and respect. According to him, it is a sophisticated organ that contains all of our memories, thoughts, and experiences.
Think of the brain as an old library with thousands of books. Carefully placed on its shelves, each book symbolizes a memory or an experience. Every memory in a person's brain shapes who they are and how they interact with the world around them, much like every book in a library adds to the collective knowledge of a community.
The notion that our brains are not merely informational archives but also the core of what makes each of us distinct is reflected in Carson's viewpoint. This complex library inside of us is impacted by every choice we make, emotion we go through, and interaction we have. It demonstrates how incredibly intimate and essential memories and experiences are to a person's identity.
As a neurosurgeon, Carson has had the honor of witnessing firsthand the brain's ability to be both delicate and resilient. The idea that one's entire life story is contained within this three-pound organ frequently amazes him. This respect for the human brain highlights both its profound influence on how our lives are shaped and its physical complexity.
Carson's perspective essentially exhorts us to recognize the extraordinary depth and potential of our own minds. Our memories add to the intricate fabric of our life story, much like each book in a library tells a piece of a larger story.