8. EvolutionOnly actively moving creatures evolved a nervous system. So, the evolution of consciousness could be the result of the brain internalising movement. The process of internalisation can be seen in shark embryos, which undulate rhythmically inside the egg to ensure the even distribution of oxygen necessary for tissue development. At this stage of development, the movement is generated solely by the muscle cells, which have not yet been innervated by motoneurons. When the motoneurons migrate from the spinal cord to the muscles, the electrotonic coupling of muscle cells ceases, allowing the brain to take control of motricity. The motility properties of the muscles are embedded into the neuronal circuits of the spinal cord, where they become integrated into the vestibular system, which monitors the effects of inertia acting on the organism through gravity and momentum. By altering interneuronal pathways, central pattern generators co-ordinate rhythmic movement. Simply visualising a motor skill can modify the neural substrates for its physical performance. Mental practice is encoded into the neural networks, strengthening the same activation patterns triggered by the physical training. Visualisation is frequently used by performers to hone their skills. Even muscle strength increases, i.e. without the physical activity you would think was necessary for muscle growth. This undermines the notion of a metaphysical plane of consciousness, suggesting instead that the mind has evolved out of the structural coherence of consciousness and physiology. The development of spatial structure in the embryo has been found to involve a chemical reaction, which is analogous to standing waves. Using a staining technique, morphogenesis can be seen in the early embryo, in the form of a periodic banded pattern. This pattern indicates alternating concentrations of morphogens, which chemically mark the tissue, identifying which cells belong together. The mechanism, known as reaction diffusion, involves a continuous process whereby morphogen P catalyses the production of more morphogen P, plus morphogen S, which inhibits morphogen P. The physiological development of the organism is thus marked out, distinguishing bones, muscles, internal organs, etc. Camouflage patterns have also been attributed to reaction diffusion. The stripes of the zebra and the spots of the leopard show how morphogenesis exploits periodicity for evolutionary advantage. The extent to which this process is analogous to standing waves is easily appreciated when comparing patterns of animal skin colouration and sand vibrating on a steel plate. The sand accumulates at the nodes of vibration, to reveal the geometric character of the harmonic resonance. Many patterns found in living organisms can be replicated in this way. The underlying argument is that the evolution of biological form is founded on generic physical forces, which presumably served as morphological templates within which genetic selection could operate. While the similarity between so many physical and organic forms suggests such a connection, the case is rather more compelling if one considers that many organisms have morphological features that are similar to physical forms despite being genetically unrelated. For example, a 3D logarithmic spiral found in seashells is also evident in tidal-washed kelp fronds and in the shape of our own skin pores. Natural patterns and processes are often applied to the development of new technology. This approach to design, called Biomimicry, enables designers to take advantage of the millions of years of incremental variations that have been made through biological evolution, to gain insight into the underlying principles determining naturally evolved shapes. For example, a highly efficient fan blade has been designed using the 3D logarithmic spiral, common throughout the natural world, because this shape optimises the flow of water or gas across its surfaces. As with naturally evolved shapes, the activity of design draws on the spatio-temporal structure of Being, to produce something new that extends the experience of Being. Consequently, the surfboard designer’s ability to invoke the link between spatial and temporal relations validates the surfing metaphor as a tool for visualising the spatio-temporal structure of experience. The ability to shift one’s perspective toward the spatial end of the scale might have evolved for self-defense. A clear sense of your own physical presence is vital when faced by danger. Whenever circumstances become unpredictable, the mind is guided more by observation than expectation, to ensure an accurate assessment of the immediate situation. By contrast, when circumstances are predictable, the characteristics of a situation can usually be inferred, without having to interpret every detail. Our ability to deal with situations can be represented in the surfing analogy by how suitable a surfboard design is for the shape of the wave being ridden. The degree to which these two features are complementary represents the familiarity of a situation and, hence, the ability to anticipate change. A surfer has a number of options when riding an unsuitable surfboard and these represent different approaches to uncertainty. Apart from the extreme examples discussed earlier, such as paddling away from the surf break to the safety of deeper water, a more subtle approach concerns the position of the surfboard on the wave. When the response of a surfboard is uncertain, the best option is to reduce penetration, which reduces the influence of the surfboard upon direction. This is like trusting one’s intuition. But, it takes discipline to recognise how the forces in the wave are being translated into the path followed by the surfboard. That is why meditation is such a valuable tool in self knowledge. Admittedly, a rational approach to uncertainty will probably succeed most of the time. But, no matter how successfully we reason our way through life, we cannot expect that ‘our design’ will meet every contingency. There will be occasions where we require a deeper sense of direction, so that we can let go of reason and feel at ease with however the future looks. Previous : Next |