Split second decisions.
There are moments in a some professionals lives, when they have to make extremely crucial decisions, in the blink of an eye. They do not have the luxury of careful deliberation, weighing the
pros and cons, or exercise the 'Phone a friend' option. The stakes are high, unit of time is in milliseconds, the mind is in a state of flux,frayed nerves, adrenaline coursing the veins, beads of sweat erupting on the brow,and the heart pounding away.
These decisions are almost impossible to be channelized through the conventional neuronal circuitry. The latency period of these pathways is too high for their deployment in these extreme situations.
The left brain (or the right brain in left handed individuals) works on an algorithm that's logic based. It functions on a sequential, step wise logic based protocol. Flow charts, that cascade seamlessly, as real time data is simultaneously processed and analysed. Cognition, perception, interpretation, reference to existing database , prediction of the progression of the problem, quick appraisal of available resources and then effecting an action. All this takes place really fast, and yet certain situations don't permit this intellectual opulence.
Amidst all the political rhetoric that is flowing thick and fast with respect to the air-strikes, the sheer ingenuity, deftness, and sharpened reflexes of the pilot who was simultaneously defending our skies and also chasing the enemy intruders merits special consideration. When traveling at supersonic speeds, remaining on course, determining the next move, tracking the enemy aircraft, making sure you aren't entering hostile territory, and coordinating with formation members and the base. All these activities have to go on concurrently. What might be referred to as parallel processing in computer language. The amount of data that's generated, has to be sieved through, retaining only the relevant bits, fractioning ones attention to simultaneously track 5 to 6 variable parameters, reigning in those fears and emotions, and keeping a very stoic, unflinching countenance. The left brain at some point makes way for the intuitive right brain. This right brain works a bit differently. It probably eliminates sequentialising, deploys global, holistic cognition, that might even pick up suprasensory vibes. At a heightened state of cognition, there might be some unorthodox sensory faculties, that kick in. This intuitive system might even include the dense neural network in the gut. Might explain the term- 'Gut feeling'.
As a Neurosurgeon, there are moments, whilst operating, when the time available to execute a life saving manoeuvre is a fraction of what is available in other settings. The eyes detect the problem, the brain interprets the event, predicts the consequences of the problem, refers to the database of experience, chooses an option out of the possible alternatives, calculates the feasibility and consequences of the proposed action, and then executes the action. Any motor act involves the use of multiple joints and muscle groups with dexterity and precision. The possibility of each motor act being subservient to such a complex signal processing system might possibly lose precious milliseconds.
Instinctive responses are the RAM of our hard disc. They possibly bypass this intricate network. They are life saving. They comprise the fright and flight components of innate responses. The fight response involves suppression of fright and flight, and thereafter strategising, either intuitively or then logically.
The intuitive fight response is the characteristic virtue of a Victor. Most incredibly heroic acts are the outcome of this largely incomprehensible, inexplicable phenomenon. Often times, analysing why a particular step was taken, defies all reason and calculations.
Like the pilot of the MIG Bison, who chose to chase the intruder into his territory, after having locked his missile on the intruder's far superior aircraft. He dismissed the fright and flight response. The intuitive fight response took over, and what followed was a series of manoeuvres, that defied instinct, bypassed the in series logic of the left brain, and of course, create history of sorts.
Dr Deepak Ranade.
There are moments in a some professionals lives, when they have to make extremely crucial decisions, in the blink of an eye. They do not have the luxury of careful deliberation, weighing the
pros and cons, or exercise the 'Phone a friend' option. The stakes are high, unit of time is in milliseconds, the mind is in a state of flux,frayed nerves, adrenaline coursing the veins, beads of sweat erupting on the brow,and the heart pounding away.
These decisions are almost impossible to be channelized through the conventional neuronal circuitry. The latency period of these pathways is too high for their deployment in these extreme situations.
The left brain (or the right brain in left handed individuals) works on an algorithm that's logic based. It functions on a sequential, step wise logic based protocol. Flow charts, that cascade seamlessly, as real time data is simultaneously processed and analysed. Cognition, perception, interpretation, reference to existing database , prediction of the progression of the problem, quick appraisal of available resources and then effecting an action. All this takes place really fast, and yet certain situations don't permit this intellectual opulence.
Amidst all the political rhetoric that is flowing thick and fast with respect to the air-strikes, the sheer ingenuity, deftness, and sharpened reflexes of the pilot who was simultaneously defending our skies and also chasing the enemy intruders merits special consideration. When traveling at supersonic speeds, remaining on course, determining the next move, tracking the enemy aircraft, making sure you aren't entering hostile territory, and coordinating with formation members and the base. All these activities have to go on concurrently. What might be referred to as parallel processing in computer language. The amount of data that's generated, has to be sieved through, retaining only the relevant bits, fractioning ones attention to simultaneously track 5 to 6 variable parameters, reigning in those fears and emotions, and keeping a very stoic, unflinching countenance. The left brain at some point makes way for the intuitive right brain. This right brain works a bit differently. It probably eliminates sequentialising, deploys global, holistic cognition, that might even pick up suprasensory vibes. At a heightened state of cognition, there might be some unorthodox sensory faculties, that kick in. This intuitive system might even include the dense neural network in the gut. Might explain the term- 'Gut feeling'.
As a Neurosurgeon, there are moments, whilst operating, when the time available to execute a life saving manoeuvre is a fraction of what is available in other settings. The eyes detect the problem, the brain interprets the event, predicts the consequences of the problem, refers to the database of experience, chooses an option out of the possible alternatives, calculates the feasibility and consequences of the proposed action, and then executes the action. Any motor act involves the use of multiple joints and muscle groups with dexterity and precision. The possibility of each motor act being subservient to such a complex signal processing system might possibly lose precious milliseconds.
Instinctive responses are the RAM of our hard disc. They possibly bypass this intricate network. They are life saving. They comprise the fright and flight components of innate responses. The fight response involves suppression of fright and flight, and thereafter strategising, either intuitively or then logically.
The intuitive fight response is the characteristic virtue of a Victor. Most incredibly heroic acts are the outcome of this largely incomprehensible, inexplicable phenomenon. Often times, analysing why a particular step was taken, defies all reason and calculations.
Like the pilot of the MIG Bison, who chose to chase the intruder into his territory, after having locked his missile on the intruder's far superior aircraft. He dismissed the fright and flight response. The intuitive fight response took over, and what followed was a series of manoeuvres, that defied instinct, bypassed the in series logic of the left brain, and of course, create history of sorts.
Dr Deepak Ranade.
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