While trying to develop a theory of consciousness, Dr. Giulio Tononi has experienced a personal level of consciousness while going under for surgery. Interested in marking the time of lost awareness, Dr. Tononi tried to convince the anesthesiologist to allow him to temporarily block the muscle-blocking drug. In doing this, the Dr. would be able to lift his finger as he would loss consciousness; thereby, signaling the anesthesiologist the precise moment he lost awareness. Unfortunately, the Anesthesiologist did not comply. Thank God for minds such as Dr. Tononi’s. His ingenious ambition to explore the awareness of the mind is an endeavor that has not been researched much by others. His development of a theory of consciousness will help put a measuring stick to the perplexities of when the human brain is aware. Right now, doctors can only ask the simple questions of whether or not the patient can hear them. Dr. Tononi is working on a way of seeing the activity of the brain as an indicator of awareness during commas or epileptic seizures. Also, his findings may aid in the determination of whether or not the patient is experiencing any pain during the seemingly unconscious state. Currently, he has discovered that the brain relies on integrated information in order to maintain awareness. If the network of integrated information known as phi has isolated parts, then awareness is not present. Dr. Tononi Integrated Information Theory, in my opinion, holds water; for, seizures force many neurons to turn on and off which in turn disrupts awareness. That is why patients don’t remember the episode. May his spectacular theory grow from infancy to adulthood and ravage the scientific world.
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