Superior Processing Power of the Human Brain Overwhelms Advanced Artificial Computers
Rewritten Article:
Stalwart of Brain Science: Svyatoslav Medvedev's Pioneering Journey
[Image courtesy of MAMAKI FILM @ Youtube]
On May 7, the city of St. Petersburg bids farewell to Academician Svyatoslav Alliluyevich Medvedev, a neurophysiologist with a penchant for unraveling the mysteries that lurk within our brain. A theorist of speech, creativity, pain, deception, and even meditation, Medvedev leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape the discourse on the human brain.
Once a political entity, Medvedev helmed the Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences for nearly 30 years. A transition from the realm of politics to the study of the brain, Medvedev defended his candidate and doctoral dissertations in cognitive activity before eventually passing away on May 2, aged 77.
KP.RU and Medvedev's colleagues remember this exceptional scientist, his remarkable research, and the questions that drove him.
- The Brain: An Enigma Wrapped in Mystery
Without a doubt, the question of how the brain works remains an enigma deeply rooted in the annals of science and medicine. Yet, colleagues are confident that Svyatoslav Medvedev made significant strides in unraveling the enigma.
The study of the brain was still in its infancy in the 1980s, with research on the activity of individual neurons in human brains taking shape. However, it was not until decades later that the field began to flourish worldwide. In the 1990s, pioneering studies using positron emission tomography (PET) were conducted, with a series of innovative approaches to treating brain diseases following suit. Medvedev was at the forefront of these advancements, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the brain's complexities.
- The Brain, an Orchestra in Harmony
Until Medvedev came along, the general consensus surrounded a rather simplistic view of the brain – where specific areas sparked the activation of neurons. Yet Medvedev posited a more intricate model of the brain, spiritually akin to an orchestra, with various parts intermingling to produce the symphony of our minds. "The brain works like an orchestra," Dr. Yuri Kropotov, head of the laboratory of neurobiology of actions at the Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences, echoed, "with musicians interacting to produce music."
Medvedev's investigations led him to collaborate with Tibetan monks, exploring the brain processes underlying their meditation practices through the most cutting-edge techniques. "The brain is difficult to study," Medvedev admitted in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda. "It has around 100 billion neurons, each with 10,000 contacts. Information exchange from neuron to neuron doesn't happen at the speed of light, like in a computer, but at the speed of sound in water - about 1400 meters per second. Yet, despite this, the brain is more powerful than any supercomputer. Why? How does it all work? It's a mystery."
DO UNUSUAL ABILITIES EXIST?
Renowned for his empirical approach, Medvedev addressed the topic of psychic abilities head-on. When asked about the potential of psychics, the academician reiterated his skepticism - they don't exist. Though, he maintained an open mind, acknowledging the unexplored nature of the subject. "Yes, he studied things like Tibetan monk meditation, Vanga, and Kaznacheyev. But that's because he always sought the unexplored," Dr. Kropotov asserted.
- "Unveiling the Mystery of Vanga"
Despite his mother's, Natalia Petrovna Bechtereva, interest in mysticism and her trust in Bulgarian seer Vanga, Medvedev was no stranger to the sceptics who scrutinized his mother's pursuit of the unexplored. Still, his work demonstrated a genuine curiosity and willingness to consider unconventional approaches to understanding the human brain. For instance, Medvedev sought to understand the brain processes involved in Tibetan monk meditation, a phenomenon that was mostly unexplored at the time.
Yet, even as he approached the frontiers of science and mysticism, Medvedev remained grounded in his pursuit of scientific evidence. "The phenomenon of Vanga is not entirely inexplicable," he said, "it just hasn't been explained yet. I've studied many people who claimed to be extrasensory, but it was always a sham! I've never seen anyone prove their abilities. I asked many of them to tell me how many matches were in a box in front of them. None guessed correctly. Many astrologers came to my institute. None passed a simple test: describe a person's medical history based on their birthdate. The number of hits? Zero. My mother, Natalia Petrovna Bechtereva, loved to communicate with extrasensory people. Once, they tried to 'see through' my daughter. The 'human X-rays' didn't see her five-month pregnancy."
MEDITATION AND BRAIN FUNDAMENTALS
In his later years, Medvedev's work began to shift towards the exploration of the effects of deep meditation on the human brain, traversing uncharted territories where science and mysticism intertwined. Embracing an empirical approach, Medvedev collaborated with the Dalai Lama XIV, launching the "Fundamental Knowledge: Dialogues between Russian and Buddhist Scholars" project and venturing to Buddhist monasteries in India. He even brought monks back to Moscow to study their brain activity under the most advanced scientific conditions. Yet, he emphasized that his approach was purely scientific, viewing the subject matter as an uncharted frontier rather than a spiritual quest.
"It's an extraordinary turn for an academic scientist – studying scientific methods of deep Buddhist meditations, including pioneering research on the most mysterious one – post-mortem meditation," emphasizes Academician Anokhin.
"He proposed a method of registering electrical activity in the brain during meditation," says Yuri Kropotov. "They got amazing results, published in prestigious journals. Tibetan monks – that's his unfinished project. He tried to understand the peculiarities of brain organization in these people. As it turned out, their brain differs from the norm. Is this due to long meditation, or are they genetically different and that's why they became monks? He didn't manage to find the answer to this question," recalls Yuri Kropotov.
Medvedev's work on post-mortem meditation, or "tukdam," remains a testament to his unwavering curiosity and his commitment to exploring the unknown territories of the brain. Post-mortem meditation, a practice where the body of a monk maintains its posture and external appearance, often for several weeks, after death, is a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists and meditation practitioners alike. Medvedev's collaboration with the Dalai Lama and his team of researchers marked a significant leap forward in understanding this fascinating practice, making them the first to actively study its psychological and biochemical aspects.
Indeed, it is not every day that one encounters a scholar as remarkable as Academician Svyatoslav Medvedev. His work, grounded in rigorous scientific research, yet driven by an insatiable curiosity, serves as a testament to the power of human inquiry and the boundless mysteries that lie within the human brain. His legacy endures in the many lives he touched and the questions he sought to answer – questions that, though unresolved, continue to stimulate dialogue and inspire new generations of researchers to delve deeper into the enigma of the human brain.
- Academician Svyatoslav Medvedev, a neurophysiologist and a stalwart in brain science, made significant strides in understanding the enigma of the human brain during his nearly 30-year tenure at the Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
- Prior to his death at the age of 77, Medvedev was known for his empirical approach, taking on complex topics such as psychic abilities, yet maintaining skepticism while acknowledging the unexplored nature of the subject.
- In his later years, Medvedev's work shifted towards exploring the effects of deep meditation on the human brain, especially in collaboration with Tibetan monks, venturing to Buddhist monasteries in India, and launching the "Fundamental Knowledge: Dialogues between Russian and Buddhist Scholars" project.
- Medvedev's work on post-mortem meditation, or "tukdam," in conjunction with the Dalai Lama and his team of researchers, marked a significant leap forward in understanding this fascinating practice, making them the first to actively study its psychological and biochemical aspects.
- In a world brimming with advancements in science, medicine, health-and-wellness, technology, space-and-astronomy, and neurobiology, Svyatoslav Medvedev's pioneering journey in unraveling the mysteries of the human brain continues to shape the discourse and inspire new generations of researchers.
