Magical!

[xZx]

Wow, it's a while since I've been here, last time I was around this place was still called Flyology...My name's Zoe, or just Zo but I was always known on here as Z.

I'm a student at university studying neuroscience and english, I love art and science in equal measure. I have no idea what I'm going to do with my life, which could be a bit worrying, other people seem to have it all planned out but that's never felt right to me...I like to feel free, I'm not fond of boxes or labels, I used to call myself a hippy but I'm not so sure these days, I still identify with a lot of hippy philosophy but I also understand the world is so much more complex than I used to think it was...I've changed I think since I was last here, I'm certainly more mature, and I drink less, which is a good thing.

When I was here before I spent most of my time hanging around the galleries putting up artwork, hence not having a huge post count, I've never been much of a talker, I've always preferred to express my thoughts through images...I find it more comfortable. I love music, I'm not too fond of hippity hop rap stuff but I'll listen to pretty much anything, I like rock music and folky type stuff, I know a lot of people didn't like them but I was gutted when The Darkness broke up, I think the world would be a better place if more bands wore glitter.

That’s about it for now… let the probing commence!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Where abouts are you studying? Interesting combination of subjects, why neuroscience and English?
Yeah, I quite like the Darkness too. My dad was Justin Hawkins's English teacher! And my brother was in a highschool band with Dan. They're about the only famous things to come from where I live, well until Lil'Chris I suppose, but he seems like a goit and I think my dad teaches him too.

And feel free to pop your art work in UK Arts, Crafts and Creativity forum, would love to have a look at your new pieces. :)

[lithium]

Hello welcome back I vaguely remember seeing you around before when I used to be showmet. English and neuroscience is a very strange combination, are they joint subjects rather than major/minor for your degree and do you know anyone else doing that combination?!

Who's your favourite author or book and ... what's the most interesting thing you have learned in neuroscience?

[dapablo]

The more you think about it the clerer that xZx becomes, I've asked about if anyone else might also.

May I boldly say a welcome return then ?

After reading your introduction I take it your single, so, do you like innuendo ?

[phoenix_indigo]

Zoe, welcome (back) to the forums. Love your name, btw, has always been one of my faves.

I've been gutted too that the Darkness broke up. My hubby and I's "song"(s) are two Darkness songs. He got me into them and I'm really sad that they had to break up. Hopefully one day maybe they'll reunite.

What's your favourite movie? Why?

[xZx]

http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gifLot's of questions! yay!

I’ll answer the uni related ones first... I'm studying at Keele, in Staffordshire. Why did I pick those subjects, erm...well partly because I could, Keele has a dual honors system where pretty much everyone does two joint subjects, and they manage to accommodate almost any combination. I chose those subjects because they're the things I’m passionate about, I love studying literature and I love writing, but I also have a love of science, I think too often people get put into the box of either being an arty type person or a sciencey type person, and that never really worked for me, so I went somewhere where I could do both! I don’t think I'm the only one, I know there are other people doing english and biology, and a couple of those might be doing neuroscience.

Peace-Phoenix, your dad taught Justin Hawkins, and your brother was in a band with Dan? That’s very cool!

Lithium, my favourite author or book...well there are lots, my favourite author at the moment is probably Iain Banks, but it changes frequently! The most interesting thing I’ve learnt in neuroscience, that's tough! Probably something to do with how the two hemispheres of the brain work together, and how they function in people who, for medical reasons, have had the connections between the two halves severed.

Dapablo, yep you can take it that I'm single, do I like innuendo?...Well I'm known for finding alternative meanings in things, so yes I guess I do!

Phoenix_indigo, thank you! I quite like my name too, my mother picked it because it means life, and I apparently was a lively baby! My favourite movie?...hmm I love movies that make me laugh, think or cry...but out of those I think I like laughing best so my favourite movie has to be 'This is Spinal Tap' If only for the 'but this one goes to 11' line.
I think I've answered everything...thank you all for such a warm welcome back...http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/newsmilies/3/set12_b/sunny.gif


-Z

[lithium]

The most interesting thing I’ve learnt in neuroscience, that's tough! Probably something to do with how the two hemispheres of the brain work together, and how they function in people who, for medical reasons, have had the connections between the two halves severed. I'm just reading Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate and he mentioned that. If you give left and right hemispheres different instructions in such cases, the person will carry out both instructions independently, and when the person is asked to justify his behaviour, the left hemisphere will come up with a "coherent but false account" explaining why he did something when he obviously has no idea why it happened, even though the right hemisphere was acting rationally and independently on instructions!

Do you believe that the conscious mind is "the spin doctor, not the commander in chief" as Pinker claims? Do we have free will at all?

[xZx]

I'm just reading Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate and he mentioned that. If you give left and right hemispheres different instructions in such cases, the person will carry out both instructions independently, and when the person is asked to justify his behavior, the left hemisphere will come up with a "coherent but false account" explaining why he did something when he obviously has no idea why it happened, even though the right hemisphere was acting rationally and independently on instructions! I've come across quite a few studies that came out with results like that! It's a fairly weird business really and it seems the more studies that are done the more weird and wonderful things we discover...there are some great articles out there by Michael Gazzaniga if you're interested in this split brain stuff...


Do you believe that the conscious mind is "the spin doctor, not the commander in chief" as Pinker claims? Do we have free will at all? Now that's what you call a question...I believe that the mind is the product of evolution, and that we as creatures are driven by instincts that have proved useful in our evolutionary past. Do we have free will...do we have the ability to control and contradict those drives or is our ability to act totally derived from underlying biological systems? Honestly, I'm not sure. I think at the moment our understanding of what consciousness is and how it arises in the brain is just too small. I'd like to believe we have free will...but then again I'd like to believe in leprechauns…I think it’s likely that the level of free will we think we possess is far greater than the level of free will we actually possess.

[daisy_chain]

Hi. I'd like to believe in leprechauns too. And I do believe in glitter wearing bands. I'm not very good at deep and meaningful questions, so, how do you like your toast?

[xZx]

Hi. I'd like to believe in leprechauns too. And I do believe in glitter wearing bands. I'm not very good at deep and meaningful questions, so, how do you like your toast? Well done, with lots of butter, and maybe some homemade marmalade.... Mmmm toast...I think I might have to go and make some now :)

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's your favourite band? Have you seen them live?

[xZx]

What's your favourite band? Have you seen them live?
Ooph that's hard, erm, I don't think I have a favourite band...it varies with my mood...

Someone once asked me which band I would pick if I could only listen to one bands music for the rest of my life and I said Led Zeppelin...so I'll have to go with them, and sadly I'm far to young to have ever seen them play live.

[Moon_Beam]

Ooooh I have soo many! I will always hold GNR, Bon Jovi and Starsailor close to my heart!

Right now I am back into Gogol Bordello - brilliant!!!!

[daisy_chain]

If you could be fluent in any language in the world, which would you choose?

[xZx]

If you could be fluent in any language in the world, which would you choose?I'd quite like to learn Chinese...just because one my best friends is bilingual and speaks Chinese. To me it seems like such a weird language... it's so different to English...I'd love to know what it's like to flip from one language to another so easily. My friend even says he thinks in two languages, which is something I can't get my head round. When he gets drunk he falls asleep and sleep talks to two languages as well, I'd love to know how that works.

[daisy_chain]

Chinese would be amazing, especially writing it as well. If you were a superhero, what would your power be?

[xZx]

Chinese would be amazing, especially writing it as well. If you were a superhero, what would your power be? Well, I'd quite like to be able to fly, but when you think about it, it's not all that useful… So I think I'd like to have super strength or something, that way I’d always be able to open stubborn pickle jars and stuff.

[daisy_chain]

Flying would be useful, think of all the time you'd save not being in traffic, or walking anywhere. I think it would be quite tiring though, so strength is a good one to go for. What has been your biggest fashion disaster so far?

[xZx]

What has been your biggest fashion disaster so far?Oh dear...there were a few when I was a kid...I had a mahoosive fringe when I was about 8, but mostly that was my mother's fault. Erm the worst thing I've ever chosen to wear is probably the whole 'goth' get up when I was about 15, too much eyeliner and purple hair...not a great look on me, I think I looked like a muppet.

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's the most selfless thing you've ever done?

What's the most selfish thing you've ever done?

[lithium]

How do you think your studies in neuroscience inform your study of literature, and vice versa?

Sorry to bang on about university:D It was 50/50 whether I would do humanities or science when I was doing my a-levels and neuroscience is a field that fascinates me:)

[Peace-Phoenix]

It was 50/50 whether I would do humanities or science when I was doing my a-levels and neuroscience is a field that fascinates me:)
Same for me. Such a shame that you have to make those really big life changing decisions so early on. I wish I could have continued sciences alongside my literature/social sciences path....

[xZx]

What's the most selfless thing you've ever done?

What's the most selfish thing you've ever done? The most selfless thing, hmmm...I don't really know, I try to live my life day to day as selflessly as possible, without getting walked over by other people. I make an effort to give my time and money to good causes whenever such things are going on at Uni especially, but I can't really think of a specific act of selflessness...I suppose the most selfless thing I've ever done is generally to make a purposeful effort to put others before myself, I don't always manage it, I am selfish sometimes, but I do try to be aware of my level of selfishness and to keep it in check.

The most selfish thing...I'm quite protective of certain things that are of value to me and as such I don't like sharing them...My guitar for instance, having bought it so I didn’t have to be nice to my brother and borrow his, and certain books or albums that mean a lot to me. I'd have huge difficulty sharing them with someone even if I knew it would make them happy...I'd probably let them have it, but I'd be overprotective, which I know makes me sound a bit daft.

[xZx]

How do you think your studies in neuroscience inform your study of literature, and vice versa?
I like this question! I find it really useful to study both...In terms of the skills required to pass the courses I'm on, a lot of the scientifically minded neuroscientists have real trouble when it comes to writing essays... just because they don’t often have to do it, especially if their other subject is some form of chemistry which for quite a few people it is...I think a lot of scientists suffer from not being able to communicate their ideas, so its nice not to have a panic attack at the thought of writing something.

In terms of studying literature, I find it’s often very useful to have a decent knowledge of various scientific theories and concepts. Literature so often comments on scientific discovery and the fears which it may create in society, I think one of the most important things literature can do is to question the power and ethical implications of science. However, at the same time I seem to keep coming across people studying (or teaching) literature who seem to have no idea how the science they're passing judgment on actually works, there's sort of an attitude that either you do an arty subject or a science…a lot of people seem to like classing themselves as one or the other. Not that I think everyone needs a science degree to consider ethics etc, but it would be nice to meet a few more people out there who at least admit what they do and don't know, and who take a genuine interest in science, like you guys!

Did that turn into a rant? What I meant to say was something along the lines of, ‘Yes, having knowledge about one field is very useful in others, even though it wouldn't always seem obvious, the skills are often transferable. It also means I don’t sound like a bullshitting loon in English tutorials when someone starts a debate about something scientific that they don’t really understand but don’t like the sound of, often because they think it’s against their particular religion.’ http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/newsmilies/leaving.gif

[daisy_chain]

What do you want to do with your neurosciences and literature degree?

[Peace-Phoenix]

Are you religious yourself?

[xZx]

What do you want to do with your neurosciences and literature degree?Good question, I dont really know! It depends what grade I manage to come out with. I'd quite like to carry on and do masters in some area of neuroscience, but I need to get through this degree first!

[xZx]

Are you religious yourself?
Nope, I'm an Atheist. Religion has never appealed to me, my parents both consider themselves agnostic, so I was never brought up to follow any particular religion...Honestly, I don’t really understand religious people, I mean I get why people feel the need to believe in God etc, but to me it'd be like believing in, I don’t know...elves or something.

I guess I was born without the 'God' gene, which in itself makes me think there isn't a God. I don't go in for any of this spiritual stuff either...I figure if it's real it can be tested and proven, at which point it'd become science and probably lose it's appeal for the majority of believers anyway. Half the board might hate me now…Did I mention I think religion is the root of most of the world’s evils…?http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/newsmilies/leaving.gif

[Peace-Phoenix]

I won't hate you for that, I agree with much of what you just said. Of course science can't prove everything at the present time, we have to acknowledge that. But we should also recognise that given a lack of proof, the assumption of the non-existance of supernatural entities is the more logical position than belief in their existence. It is also an assumption I would make, that if all variables were observable, science could provide all answers. Religion has caused a lot of social and political problems over the ages. I don't think it is the root of most of the worlds evils, being the socialist I am I'd go with neo-liberal capitalism on that one, but I would say it has had a net negative effect rather than a net positive effect....

[lithium]

It is also an assumption I would make, that if all variables were observable, science could provide all answers. This is something which irritates me about those who make claims about a spiritual realm which is by definition not observable and measurable to us (not necessarily religion-heads, but those who insist on some extra-physical spiritual something). If there is some spiritual realm which in no way affects our lives or the universe and is not observable then it's utterly meaningless to posit its existence! But they usually claim that it does have influence in some way on our lives... and as soon as it does, it becomes, by definition, observable and measurable!

[lithium]

Did that turn into a rant? What I meant to say was something along the lines of, ‘Yes, having knowledge about one field is very useful in others, even though it wouldn't always seem obvious, the skills are often transferable.I think you're right. Science can be very important in illuminating some aspects of cultural theory, that's why I think popularisers of science like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Steven Pinker are so important; the split between the humanities and the sciences is very unhelpful, and it could be said that 20th century philosophy, literary theory and social science carried on as if Charles Darwin never lived! Too long the humanities have been in thrall to mythmakers like Freud and Marx, and I firmly believe the new sciences of mind and behaviour are capable of shedding light on the way we understand ourselves, our society and our culture.:)

To carry on in the deep and meaningful vein ... what's your favourite food?

[Peace-Phoenix]

They should start shaving with Occam's razor....

[xZx]

To carry on in the deep and meaningful vein ... what's your favourite food?I'm rather fond of a good curry, but my favourite food would be...CHOCOLATE! http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[xZx]

They should start shaving with Occam's razor....Hahahahaha!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Are you a political person?

[xZx]

Are you a political person? ...Well, I take an interest and I vote. I think it's important to be aware of what's going on in politics; I have opinions on most of the major issues going on at the moment, although none of them are particularly controversial. I don’t really consider myself to be a political person, but then again, compared to many of my friends, who don’t vote and just don’t care, I suppose you could say I am.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Who have you voted for in the past?

[xZx]

Who have you voted for in the past?In the last election I voted Lib Dem.

[lithium]

In the last election I voted Lib Dem.I voted tactically for the libdems in 2005 because they were the main opposition to the sitting Tory MP in my constituency and because of their stance opposing the Iraq war.

Why did you vote libdem, do you think you would again, and what do you think of Ming the Merciless compared to Kennedy?

[xZx]

I voted tactically for the libdems in 2005 because they were the main opposition to the sitting Tory MP in my constituency and because of their stance opposing the Iraq war.

Why did you vote libdem, do you think you would again, and what do you think of Ming the Merciless compared to Kennedy? I voted Libdem for similar reasons, at the time I was involved with someone who was in the army and just about to get sent out to Iraq...so it was something that I not only cared about, but that I felt involved me personally.

Would I vote for them again? It would depend on the situation at the time, I'd say it's a strong possibility. I never really liked Kennedy, it's not so much that I disliked him, I just always felt that he didn't give much of an impression as a leader. I prefer Ming, If only for the Ming the Merciless jokes, but I'm not sure I'd want him leading the country, not that it’s likely anyway. Saying that...I'm not sure I want any of the current potential leaders leading the country. http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif

[Peace-Phoenix]

Do you have any pets?

[xZx]

Do you have any pets?Yup, a very stupid but lovely cat called Minky, she likes eating spiders.

[Peace-Phoenix]

I'd love a cat like that as I can't stand spiders, especially big ones. My dog, Wesley, he likes eating flies, which is really helpful in the summer when the plagues of Egypt are unleashed....

[xZx]

heh, well she's not very good at the big ones...she flattens them with a paw and then leaves them there...so I still see them and jump, I should've said, she likes eating small fat spiders. I wonder if I could train a cat to eat flies? hmmm

[lithium]

I voted Libdem for similar reasons, at the time I was involved with someone who was in the army and just about to get sent out to Iraq...so it was something that I not only cared about, but that I felt involved me personally.So I take it you were against the Iraq war? Do you think there is such a thing as a just war?

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?