Spiders 3: The Terrifying Conclusion!

So, did you like this diversion into the realm of physiology? I sure did. If you want to write emotion, you have to understand it. And now I know more about fear.

The human mind, when you really take the time to think about it, is an amazing thing. It evolved, from a few cells whose purpose was to use past experiences to anticipate future problems to an organ capable of controlling vital functions without its creating even being aware of it. One malfunctioning piece, though increasing vulnerability, does not necessarily bring about its end.

In fact, we humans can alter our brains if we want. We can learn new information to use, we can communicate with others, we can teach ourselves ways around the mental road blocks we are all built with. From our brains we have created beauty, learned about the quantum foam of the universe, carved out cities that outlast their inhabitants by centuries. All this from a few cells, from a unicelled organism, from some amino acids, from random proteins, from primordial ooze, from high energy, self-replicating molecules, from molecular gas collapsing into a star, from gravity constantly pulling things and making them interact with each other.

Amazing.

Sources

Speigel, Lee. “Scientists Study Woman With No Fears.”

Dec 19, 2010. http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/19/scientists-study-woman-with-no-fears/?icid=main|aim|dl1|sec3_lnk1|190886

Batra, Kadambari; Safaya, Anil; Aggarwal, Kiran. “Lipoid proteinosis (Urbach-Wiethe disease): a case report from India.” Ear, Nose and Throat Journal. Sep 1, 2008. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lipoid+proteinosis+%28Urbach-Wiethe+disease%29%3A+a+case+report+from+India.-a0186320446

Medterms.com definition: Basement membrane. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=39157

“Lipoid Proteinosis (Urbach-Wiethe Disease).” [http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webderm/downloads/cases/15.pdf]

Siebert, Michaela; Markowitsch, Hans J.; Bartel, Peter. “Amygdala, affect and cognition: evidence from 10 patients with Urbach–Wiethe disease.” Brain. August 22, 2003. http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/126/12/2627.abstract

Samiullah, Javeria; Neelofar, Marium; Samad, Fatima; Nabi, Ghulam; Ghazal, Saadia.

 “Urbach-Wiethe Disease: Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Abbottabad, Pakistan.” J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2008. http://www.ayubmed.edu.pk/JAMC/PAST/20-4/Javeria.pdf

Prasad, P. V. S.; Sahoo, G.C. “Lipoid Proteinosis (Urbach Wiethe Disease)—A Case Report.” Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. Volume 52, Number 2, 172-173. http://www.springerlink.com/content/lht6u307267q2409/

Part 2

Black, Harvey. “Amygdala's Inner Workings.” The Scientist. Volume 15, Number 19, 20. October. 1, 2001.

H. Kluver, P.C. Bucy, "Preliminary analysis of the temporal lobes in monkeys," Archives of Neurological Psychiatry, 42:979-1000, 1939.