It’s all in the mind

Memory is usually defined as the ability to store, retain and, when necessary, recall information. But memory is more than just an incredibly complex function of the human brain. It is what makes us human, even more so than our personalities. Without it, we would not know ourselves, our homes or our friends and family, and we would never be able to learn anything. Our memory is what makes us able to take part in society and allows us to look back on all the things that have happened to us in our lifetime.

It is not yet known what the capacity of human memory is. But it is known that it is so large that we cannot fill our brains completely. Whatever we do there will always be room left for more information. This does not mean, however, that it is always easy to recollect the information we have stored in there, which is why, in the modern world, we often store a lot of information digitally. Phone numbers are kept on our mobile phones, for instance. And a wealth of information is stored on our computers, MP3 players and numerous other digital devices.

Now a group of scientists in Britain are looking into ways that we can store everything to do with our lives on just one small portable device. It would be a bit like the black box recorder on aircraft but a fraction of the size. This device would be capable of keeping health records, work records and bank statements. It would also carry every digital photograph or video taken in a person’s life, every telephone conversation they ever had and every email they ever wrote. In short, it would contain every aspect of their life on a hard drive.

The possible uses for this kind of information storage system are endless. One obvious example would be in a medical emergency, when doctors would have a patient’s records at their fingertips. Also, no one would ever need to physically remember what they were supposed to do that day, whether it be for work or in their social lives. And old age people would have their whole personal history available to them. And the police might just find such a system useful in helping them solve crime.

Yet this is, without doubt, a sensitive issue. A research project in the United States, similar to the British one, had to be discontinued because of the outrage it caused among human rights groups and the general public. For one thing, many people object to the idea that there would no longer be such a thing as a private life, as the authorities would know everything about us. Also, even nowadays, identity theft is a problem on the Internet. In the future, this could be much worse with a system that knows absolutely everything about you.

Many people are already familiar with some of the possibilities of such a system, from the world of Hollywood films. This is perhaps why many are so suspicious of any kind of device that could record and store every piece of information to do with a person’s life. In the film Total Recall the plot revolves around whether the lead character actually ‘possesses’ his own memories or whether they were put there instead. This theme is also central to other big blockbusters.

Although many people may have understandable reservations about how information systems could be used in the future, it doesn’t mean scientists should stop working on them. It is the job of scientists to investigate all ideas and possibilities for human progress. If we don’t allow them to, we will never know what we may have missed out on. Hollywood might just be wrong about how we will use such knowledge in the future.

Activities

1. Read and translate the article.

2. Give Russian equivalents:

− to define (as);

− to look back on smth;

− to look into smth;

− wealth of information;

− in short;

− fingertip;

− outrage;

− to be familiar with smb/smth;

− to be suspicious of smb/smth;

− to have reservations;

− to miss out on smth.

3. Match the words they go with in the text and translate the word-combinations into Russian.

1) complex device

2) human device

3) human records

4) human function

5) mobile emergency

6) digital brain

7) portable lives

8) health life

9) bank project

10) medical phone

11) social statements

12) sensitive issue

13) research rights

14) general character

15) private public

16) lead systems

17) information progress

4. Complete the sentences with the following verbs.

1) My grandma how many years earlier she had been a nurse.

2) The research project was because of lack of money.

3) Scientists are the possibility of a portable memory device.

4) Tim couldn’t exactly what had happened before the accident.

5) We already have some of our personal information on a microchip in our passports.

6) Karen didn’t a single memory from before the crash.

7) If the police had everyone’s personal information, it would be easier for them to crimes.

8) The plot of the film around a character called Jack.

9) Our personal history may be on a device like a flight recorder on an aeroplane.

10) The secretary a copy of all the company invoices.

5. Give English equivalents:

− принимать участие в чём-л.;

− случаться, происходить с кем/чем-л.;

− объём человеческой памяти;

− раскрывать преступление;

− прекратить, остановить что-л.;

− незаконное использование (кража) чужой личной информации.

6. Choose the best answer. Give reasons.

1) The writer considers that memory is …

A) a skill that people have to learn.

B) what makes people friendly.

C) as important as our character.

D) how we understand the world around us.

2) The writer thinks people use digital devices because …

A) there is no space left in their memory.

B) they need to keep phone information.

C) it is difficult to remember everything.

D) it shows others how wealthy they are.

3) What are the British scientists attempting to do?

A) design a new kind of video camera.

B) build equipment for aeroplanes.

C) reduce the size of computers.

D) improve information technology.

4) The writer uses the phrase ‘at their fingertips’ (paragraph 4) to show …

A) how the information system will be used.

B) how information will be instantly available.

C) how fast doctors will be with their hands.

D) how doctors will treat patients in the future.

5) Why does the writer think people opposed the study in the United States?

A) It would encourage people to steal.

B) It would resemble the British project.

C) It would affect their right to privacy.

D) It would restrict government freedom.

6) Why does the writer mention Hollywood films?

A) to explain what people are worried about.

B) to show what kinds of film are popular.

C) to defend the story lines they contain.

D) to make it clear how they reveal the future.

7) The writer feels it is important to …

A) be cautious about new information systems.

B) encourage advances in scientific research.

C) ignore the ideas shown in Hollywood films.

D) keep strict control over scientists’ work.

8) What is the writer’s attitude to the British scientific project?

A) It is unnecessary.

B) It is dangerous.

C) It must be stopped.

D) It may be beneficial.

7. Divide the article into three logical parts the content of which can be defined as follows.

1) The function and capacity of the human memory.

2) The portable device the British scientists are working on to store the person’s entire information and its possibilities.

3) The advantages and disadvantages of using that kind of device.

8. Say no more than 3-4 key-sentences on each part of the article.

9. Say in one sentence what the purpose of the article is.

10. Express your point of view concerning the article you have read.

11. Render the article making use of Activities 6-10.

12. How useful do you think the device described in the article is? Why do people have reservations about it? You may use the reasons given below.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 754