(provisional) Title: Humpty Dumpty & the Emperors new Genome - Brain/ body complexity and the challenge to reductionism.

It is already 46,000 words long, with several illustrations. The final version should have between 50,000 and 60,000 words and up to 30 illustrations, some of them coloured (though shades of grey may be acceptable). Estimated completion date: Autumn 2010.

Is a genome of only 23,000 genes sufficient to explain the complexity of the body and brain? This popular science book examines this question as well as related aspects of the brain/ mind / consciousness debate. Some startling conclusions are reached, as there appear to be only a few megabytes in the genes and non-coding RNA of the Genome, whilst there are maybe terabytes of information in the body-brain system. That is even before the environment augments brain complexity through the learning process. This is the implication of genome decoding which has not been emphasised in the literature. Hence it is time that the implications of the loaves and fishes effect were openly discussed, since precise studies in this area are lacking. In contrast to most work in the field, which remains curiously vague about the precise information content in the genome, this book presents simple calculations to estimate genome complexity and brain / body complexity. It compares the two and examines proposals that attempt to explain the discrepancy. Alternatives to purely genetic or epi-genetic theories are explored.

The related question of how the mind arises from or is connected with the brain is also addressed. Mechanistic models favoured by die-hard defenders of the now discredited behaviourist school of thought are examined and found wanting. The importance of subjective consciousness is emphasised and the implications of a new form of dualism are discussed. Processes such as perceptual binding and free will are examined. Arguments are presented against the widespread assumption that free will, the self and even time itself are but illusions.

The evolution of the human body, brain and mind is re-examined and some of the assumptions of old-fashioned versions of Darwinism questioned. Was conflict and struggle the main driver behind evolutionary change, or did cooperation and altruism play an equal or greater role? The importance of consciousness in the evolutionary process is emphasised.

In addition to the themes already listed, there is also a brief overview of some of the most important areas of modern science. Revolutionary new developments in power generation and quantum gravity Theories of Everything are discussed using inside insights I have obtained from personal contact with some leading figures in the field

Forest again after many weeks

Well, as few blog posts of late here goes: First morning cycle through forest for many weeks. Residues of melted snow that last night had formed muddy
accretions have now more or less dried out leaving imprints of bike tyres. A concert of woodpeckers, song birds and ducks replaced the drone of traffic I had ploughed through heretofore.
The woodpeckers remained heard and not seen, as is their prerogative, in 2 of their usual haunts. In that sense all was right with the world and spring was returning to this
4,000,000,000 year old area. Unbelievable ages had wheeled and passed....

I went to the demo in Dublin end Jan - did you spot me at the back in the audience? It was a good demo and I don't see why the media is not convinced - though Sean admitted it was more for engineers really.

In Feb more than 20 groups from all over the world came to test the test rigs of the demos.
The results were positive and begin March will be summarised at a press conference or similar and they hope for publicity from that. None too soon, as Obama wants to build reactors etc. In the forum we've gone over to solid state and I think I have the best idea for that. It is fairly easy to test if you have the right materials, I'm hoping to get confirmation of this soon from those with the wherewithal.

That makes 3 ways to free energy - the KE gains of the PM rig, the KE & electric gains of the e-Orbo and now pure electric gains in solid state.
So busy behind the scenes at Steorn. We were also busy at ESOC preparing for Cryosat-2 launch this week but now there's a delay to mid March. Probably will be another St. Pat's day sat, as Goce last year. I've done a few dotting of i's and crossing of t's in the pop-science book. May just splash it out on Lulu rather than look for a serious publisher as haven't time for that, between Steorn, job & family