Among the various fascinating objects in the universe, human brain seems to top the list as mysterious and unfathomable. Scientists over centuries are trying to understand many phenomena in the nature. However, few remains as “Hard questions or problems” that no reasonable explanation can be offered. Workings of the brain stands one among them. Though biologists, neuroscientists, physicists, mathematicians, psychologists and computer scientists are putting relentless efforts to understand, it still evades and continues to be an enigma.

Brain is a substance made out of matter like the body. But with extraordinary abilities. Among them thinking ability makes it stand out. From thinking feeling and perceiving becomes the added faculties. These then paves the way for learning, memory and recollecting. Though these three looks like three fundamental channels it can facilitate a variety of expressions that human beings use from time immemorial. The combination of these has brought in innumerable talents, expressions, innovations and abilities to know and document differently. Thus humans have learnt to narrate. The narratives again are so multifaceted starting from simple story telling to complex descriptions. That apart, the varied abilities of brain have programmed individuals as different types, though structurally all remains absolutely similar. This in effect has created all sorts of differences as individuals, individualities, inclinations, abilities and proclivities. Some are more intellectual, some rational, some devotional, emotional, logical and analytical. All these exists in various combinations and proportions. Many more are perceptive becoming artistic in many ways. Such wide range of possibilities that are possible purely by the ability of thinking and imagining. The gamut of all these functions put together can be labelled as “intellect”. This is the innate beauty of the brain.

The abilities and capabilities are innumerable and unlimited. Yet the constraints in the world can limit all or many of these functions. There is no definite method or process to nurture these faculties. Therefore each one will end up promoting one or two or more in their life time. Not realising the constraints are artificial one gets limited in their abilities most often. Each human being has an innate desire to achieve many things.

This is possible by clear thinking that generates right feelings and right perceptions, without distortions. Misinformation can certainly mislead the thinking ability. Human race is bogged down with such unwanted and un validated information with misconceptions leading to distorted thinking. The energy support and fatigue seems to be another major constraint that determines such thinking and abilities. Some get tired even with simple tasks. The limits of tolerance is so widely variable among individuals. Ultimately it is the thought process that makes or breaks an individual. However, it is difficult explain even today what determines the right thought process, what influences the innate faculties of brain and how the individual choices are made. No doubt each one has their own choices in every aspect of life.

Modernisation has put the brain activity on the thread mill constantly. Rapid gains, volume generation, and mass productivity has become the goal, if not the need of the hour. To cope with the situation machines were brought in, as assistance and support to begin with, to enhance the capacities later and finally going towards replacement with machine learning and artificial intelligence. Machine learning has become the order of the day. Thus storage ability has improved, big data and analytical ability is enhanced and the fatigue has been overcome.

But they remain still the machines with no thinking ability. So one should use them judiciously without hampering human abilities. Newer technologies certainly offers great advantages. But there is a risk of losing our own innate abilities over time quietly. For example, before the era of mobiles each one was able to remember many telephone numbers. With mobiles today one can’t remember their own mobile number. Many such examples can be quoted. I feel certain abilities are gained and many are lost. We need alert ourselves in proper usage of the emerging technology without compromising our inherent and innate talents. The only other choice is to evolve and be advanced ahead of technology. More than innovation lot of research should happen in implementing and usage of these technologies.

Protecting the human intellect is equally important if not improving it further. The safety and efficacy brought in by the technology is unquestionable. But no technology can think independently based on the situation and alter the decisions appropriately as on today. So human intervention is mandatory in all the critical areas so that decision making will remain perfect. Technology can effectively assist this process. Till we evaluate the roles completely technology should remain as assistance and not to be considered as replacement.