A question of will
The issue of free will has perplexed theologians and philosophers for centuries - now neuroscience enters the age-old debate

Try this: At a moment of your choosing, flick your right wrist. A bit later, whenever you feel like it, flick that wrist again.

Most likely, you'd swear that you, the conscious you, chose to initiate that action, that the flickings of your wrist were manifestations of your will.

But there is powerful evidence from brain research that you would be wrong. That, in fact, the signal that launched your wrist motion went out before you consciously decided to flick.

''But, but, but,'' you'd probably like to argue, ''but it doesn't feel that way!'' [read more]

thanks to boingboing

This reminds me of some Phish lyrices. Maybe Trey had it right after all.

Driver

i'll tell you about the driver who lives inside my head
starts me up and stops me and puts me into bed
he opens up my mouth when it's time for me to talk
fires up my legs when he wants me to walk
keeps my eyes open most of the day
adds to my memory the things that people say
when he makes decisions i dont have to wait
but sometimes it seems he's got to much on his plate
like this morning when i woke up and he dressed me in this shit
that looks a little ragged where he drug me through the dirt
i'm moving through this life and i'm thinking about the next
and hoping when i get there i'll be better dressed
keeps my eyes open for most of the day
adds to my memory the things that people say
when he makes decisions i dont have to wait
i'll tell you about the driver who lives inside my head