Most Intelligent Nation?

Obviously these stats don't give us an accurate answer to the question posed due to the variety of constraints, but interesting to check out nonetheless. Must be all those damn RPGs and fish!

Why Consciousness?

I found an interesting article I would like to pass along about the possible use of consciousness. The author states that consciousness comes from the necessity of having volitional movement in order to adapt to our rapidly changing environment. He postulates that without volition there would be no consciousness and vice versa.

Now how does quantum physics play into all of this? I wonder whether consciousness is some kind of constant quantum state observer choosing the reality that we experience. If this be the case then there's no wonder why mindfulness (nonjudgmental awareness of ones thoughts, perceptions, actions, and essentially volition) brings us closer to an Ultimate Reality in which psychology, physiology, physics, and spirituality explain so nicely as a unified whole.

REM and NREM sleep

Just like how Neo from the Matrix learns via computer software, REM sleep is a virtual realm where you learn, practice, and memorize language and motor skills. The epiphenomena of this learning process, aka dreaming, may be recalled at times, but seems unimportant since you're not suppose to really be aware of them in the first place. It's kinda like waking up in your dream when what you're really suppose to be doing is sleeping in your dream.

And since REM is for these procedural kinds of memory it would only seem natural that NREM is for the consolidation of declarative memory. These studies are still in the works and I am anticipating exciting findings very soon.

The Brain Food Store

So I decided to eat more "brain foods" to increase efficiency in cognitive functioning and protect this wrinkly gray mass from future risk for dementia. I have a handful of blueberries and walnuts every morning. These provide me with the omega 3 and antioxidants that I need to break down those nasty free radicals that like to fuck shit up. I also gobble down my poorly cooked eggs and slug down my cup of coffee to increase the pumpage of blood into my brain.

Feeling mentally revitalized, not caring if its a placebo effect or not, I head out the door with head and mind held up high ready to take on the cognitive challenges of the day!