Pavlov's Dogs

It's so weird how such responses are tied to certain stimuli. Bell ringing = salivating dogs. But it does hold merit either way. No one has to tell you to not stick things in the electric socket. Even if you tell a kid don't do it, they will still stick forks into it. But, most kids will do it only once, and from that day forth, will never do it again. You don't have to remind that kid that electric sockets are dangerious. They'll remember that sensation, and if you bring them near a socket, most likely they will squirm and try to run away.

As we get older, it's interesting to see what will bring about such responses. Smells, sights, sounds, touch, taste, whatever. The other day, I was listening to some old music on my harddrive, and it reminded me of ramen. Eating ramen in the dorms on a cold rainy day. And all of a sudden, i wanted ramen. It was just interesting to randomly go through some of my super old stuff i haven't heard in a while, and see what kind of memories are tied to certain songs. Most line up correctly, sad songs will not so good times, and upbeat songs for happy times, but every now and then, i'd come across a song with an upbeat tune, but be tied to a melancholy memory. Weird how the brain works.

Which leads to wonder about all those people on the subway with headphones glues to their heads. They're living with a constant soundtrack to their lives. Blasting their commute away whatever they happen to be listening to. What happens in a few years if they decide to play back whatever they were listening to now? Would they be flooded with memories of being smooshed in a subway car full of smelly people, being banged around as the subway made it's way between stations? I dunno about you, but that's something i'd try not to remember. It kind of makes me think of what i'm listening to, and what i'm doing at that moment. Will whatever happens be forever tied to that certain tune, thereby making me despise that particular song if something bad happens? What if I like that song?

Makes one wonder. After all these centuries of study and exploration of the mind and how it works, we always end up with more questions than answers. Sure, we've made progress. We no longer just cut people open and start cutting out parts which we think are "bad". But is that really progress? Who's to say if that's progress. I think some mysteries are better left unsolved. Think pandora's box. In the meantime, i'll just sit here and enjoy some more music