3 days in Berwick-upon-Tweed for an a-n writing bursary, what a gift. Away from home offers a different perspective on everything – a critical adventure free from everyday responsibilities. Pushed into survival mode living out of the back of a car and sleeping in a hostel bed (ensuite bathroom though), everything becomes significant. How much do we see and how much does the brain fill in?
Dr Lars Muckli from Glasgow University Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology says, “The brain’s main function is to minimise surprise – that is what it has evolved to do… Memory and the predictive power of the brain combine in a very powerful way to allow us to anticipate our surroundings.” http://phys.org/news/2011-04-eyes-brain.html
Back home, too much of unwelcome significance is crowding in. An appraisal of my filtering system is obviously needed. Going away and coming back has much to recommend it.
