Human Consciousness: The Final Frontier by Tara

Human Consciousness: The Final Frontier by Tara - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

Do dead people have rights? Since scientists could revive pig brains, could we revive humans too? What scientific advancements are necessary to create the "Modern Zombie?" These were questions I pondered in my Radio Commentary for speech and debate about cryonics, where people freeze their bodies in hopes of future revival. The idea of revivable, transferable consciousness caught my attention and sparked my fascination in neuroscience. For the next two years, I continued to study our brains, but as some of my questions were answered, only more appeared. However, there were few resources for people my age to gain a deeper understanding of neuroscience. I met with my fellow brain-iac friend to create the opportunity we always wanted—to meet and learn from neuroscientists.

We started the process of creating a neuroscience conference: finding a venue, brainstorming interactive activities, emailing an endless list of professors, calling organizations and universities for speakers, meeting with professors to target presentations toward youth, and more. Once we organized the logistics of the conference, statewide publication became a challenge. I emailed science teachers and local newspapers, messaged schools’ Instagrams, called school districts, and drove across cities to distribute flyers. Throughout the lengthy process, the outpouring of support I received from the professors and organizations I contacted surprised me—even if they couldn’t attend themselves, they connected us to colleagues, offered advice, and provided uplifting encouragement. After months of planning, the day of the conference finally came, with students from all over the region attending. As the speakers finished their presentations, a wave of hands raised for questions. Students, including myself, received the answers we yearned for, and began to better understand the nature of research at the frontiers of neuroscience.

Nevertheless, I was frustrated to find that many of my questions were unanswerable. The most fundamental mechanisms of humanity—consciousness, dreams, and the cause of most mental illnesses—remain utterly unknown. Yet the neuroscientists’ eyes glimmered with excitement when confronted with these questions, discussing the secrets that might be unearthed from the hidden wonders of our brains. Slowly, I began to understand the feelings of early astronomers who first learned of the infinite universe among the stars. The great unknown is chilling, but exhilarating. Scientific knowledge has never been a concrete archive of answers, but rather an ever-changing guide to navigate the fear, wonder, and thrill of our existence.

The terrifying mysteries of neuroscience are far from a disappointment, but rather a testament to the potential advances ahead. These mysteries have inspired me to major in neuroscience, joining the field of innovative voyagers to answer my questions and uncover more questions to answer. With each discovery, we’ll ignite breakthroughs that spark interest in future generations, entwining ourselves in the mesh of human consciousness long after we’re gone.