A line from Professor Norman
One neuron, you're alive. Two neurons you're moving. And with movement, interesting things begin to happen.
More lines from Professor Norman
6 quotes
Professor Norman
Now let's examine a special case, the only living being that uses its brain better than us: the dolphin. It is estimated that this incredible animal uses 20% of its cerebral capacity. In particular, this allows it to have an echolocation system that is more efficient than any sonar ever invented by mankind. But the dolphin did not invent the sonar — it developed it, naturally. And this is the crucial part of our philosophical reflection we have today: can we therefore conclude that humans are more concerned with "having" than "being"?
Professor Norman
And it is going through time that seems to be also the only real purpose of each of the cells in our bodies. To achieve that aim, the mass of the cells that make up earthworms and human beings has only two solutions—be immortal or to reproduce.
Professor Norman
If its habitat is not sufficiently favorable or nurturing, the cell will choose immortality. In other words, self-sufficiency and self-management.
On the other hand, if the habitat is favorable, they will choose to reproduce—that way, when they die, they hand essential information and knowledge to the next cell, which hands it down to the next cell, and so on. Thus knowledge and learning are handed down, through time.
Lecturing on his newly published research
Professor Norman
For the moment it's just hypothesis, I confess. But if you think about it, it's troubling to realize that the Greeks, the Egyptians and the Indians had notion of cells centuries before the invention of the microscope. And what's to say about Darwin whom everyone took for a fool when he put forth his theory of evolution? It's up to us to push the rules and laws, and go from evolution, to revolution.
Professor Norman
If you're asking me what to do with all this knowledge you're accumulating, I say, pass it on … just like any simple cell, going through time.
Professor Norman
Time is Unity.
Scenes with Professor Norman
3 scenes
Professor Norman
But now we are entering the realms of science-fiction, and we don’t know any more than the dog who watches the moon.
Professor Norman
Yes?
S Student
But what would happen, if for some reason we ignore, somebody unlocked 100% of the cerebral capacity?
Professor Norman
One hundred percent?
Professor Norman
I have no idea.
Lucy
[on phone]
Professor Norman, my name's Lucy, I just read all your research on the human brain — we need to meet.
Professor Norman
[laughs]
All my research? Wow, I'm very flattered young lady, but I find that hard to believe. I must have written no less than—
Lucy
Six thousand seven hundred thirty four pages. I can recite them to you all by heart, if you wish.
Professor Norman
Are you one of Emily's friends? This sounds like one of her silly jokes. Is she there with you?
Lucy
[suddenly appearing on his television screen]
No, I'm on my own.
Professor Norman
[stunned and puzzled]
Who are you?
Lucy
I just told you.
Professor Norman
[still hesitant and puzzled]
Uh, Lucy, right? Yes. Sorry.
Lucy
I read your theory on the use of the brain's capacity. It’s a little rudimentary but you're on the right track.
Professor Norman
[meekly]
I thank you.
Lucy
Professor, my cells are reproducing at a phenomenal speed, several million per second. I'm having trouble precisely evaluating the time of my death, but I doubt if I'll last more than 24 hours.
Professor Norman
[as Lucy prepares to inject herself with all the remaining CPH4]
All this knowledge, Lucy — I'm not even sure that mankind is ready for it. We're so driven by power and profit. Given man's nature, it might bring us only instability and chaos.
Lucy
Ignorance brings chaos, not knowledge. I'll build a computer and download my knowledge in it. I'll find a way for you to have access to it.
Professor Norman
Yeah … I just hope … we will be worthy of your sacrifice.
