My New Year's Resolution: I will write something every single day and post it for everyone to see.
#3: Turbo Teen was the ultimate life form
Earlier I listened to the beating heart of my girlfriend as she drew in one breath after the next. It was an amazing thing just thinking that we're all assembled from similar parts that function in more or less the same way, yet there's still so much variety among us. I can't help but marvel at the amazing thing that is the human body. It is a miracle first and foremost, truly and without a doubt, but ultimately it is a machine.
Most machines are comprised of refined ores and collected oils, while the human body is made of squishier things and assorted humors. The materials involved do not change the fact that we are all machines comprised of many moving parts.
The more I think about it, the metaphor of the human body being a car is spot-on. Some of us process fuel better and efficiently. Some are created larger while others are designed to be smaller. You can modify or neglect the exterior as much as you like but it doesn't affect how the engine runs.
Before she went to bed, my girlfriend marveled at an app on the human brain she downloaded to her iPod Touch. She showed me how you could view a 3-D model of the old noodle from any angle, and all the different parts were labeled. She also mentioned how the program included case studies showing how if one or more parts aren't working properly it can throw the entire body off.
The brain does so much that we aren't even aware of. Many of the functions, if left up to us consciously, would likely result in death by forgetfulness. Breathing and the beating of our hearts are simply the most obvious ones, but there are so many more. I don't know how to repair a wound to my finger outside of a bandage, but really that bandage is just an aid to whatever my brain and body need to do. Somehow my brain is able to coordinate all the systems in my body to fix what I broke.
Apparently, and this is simply a rumor I've heard, scientists may have accidentally found a way to tap into the true potential healing ability innate to almost all human beings. It supposedly happened while some folks were testing an immune system-inhibiting drug. Now, I don't know the practical applications or general need for such a drug but we do live in a time where there is a need for a drug to stop one from shaking their legs. The drug was tested on lab mice, as is commonly done, and each mouse that was administered the drug was marked by having a hole punched into one of their ears. After a few hours the researchers returned to check on the mice only to find that the punches had regrown and healed over. Somehow, without the limits of their immune system the mice were able to regrow what normally can't be — that is cartilage — and also heal at a faster rate. The potential application in humans would mean things like amputees regaining lost limbs or perhaps, given the proper conditions, someone regrowing an organ. The major problem, though, would be the risk of infection while undergoing such a treatment.
Back to my point, the human body is an amazing machine with an incredible piece of software running it, and is capable of feats that we have yet to fully understand or comprehend. We'd do well to take care of our equipment and maintain it. Not to mention we should be sure to keep our software up to date, too.
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