Dot Com

A few times lately, I've thought about how the internet's a little like the human brain. Not that I'm an expert on the brain or the internet. I got my worst final grade ever in my college Neurology class, although I confess that passing this class was one of my proudest earthly accomplishments. I framed my C+. And when it comes to the internet I don't think I could ever explain or truly understand how it all works.

I fondly remember Grandpa S who, in his last years did not own a computer but was aware of the rising sun of the internet via commercials on TV. He was curious and suspicious of all things DOT COM and in fact the phrase became a sort of curse word for him. "What is wrong with this DOT COM can opener?" I also remember our own pathetic attempts to explain it to him one Christmas. Grandpa: "But what do they mean by 'ONLINE'???" And one person's reply: "Just tell him it's the INTERNET!" That clears things right up.

But, back to the brain thing. Think of all the times you remember something, a pattern, a picture, a link or a story that you neglected to bookmark but want to access. And then, just like the connections in your brain, you follow certain pathways and links to get there. Oh, if I go to this person's blog, I'll find this link which will take me here and then I can find the link to the picture I want. That sort of thing. Sort of like the way your brain retrieves information, right? Hmmm, maybe. Maybe there was a reason I got a C+.