Everything that is expressed and recorded externally, such as cell phones, computers, memos, books, and drawings, is an extension of the brain. Our brains aren’t just inside our bodies. This concept is important because extending the ego greatly influences how we see the world. We pay close attention to topics that involve us personally. Self-relevance is a key factor that drives our lives. Personal relationships and possessions get a lot of focus, while other areas seem less important. This is due to a feature of the human brain called ‘selective cognition.’ As civilization advanced, humans delegated parts of the brain’s functions to machines. It was inevitable to make good use of these tools. We should take an interest in the Homo Faber. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
The reason pencils can be writing instruments is due to pencil lead. The material used for pencil lead is graphite. The graphite element is carbon (C), and four carbon atoms are combined. One carbon atom can have four bonds and can combine with another element. Diamond is similar to graphite, with four carbon atoms. However, diamonds have four carbon bonds that create a strong covalent bond with other carbon atoms, while graphite has only one weak bond. We can write or draw with a pencil because of this loose combination. When you apply pressure to the pencil with your finger, this weak bond in graphite breaks, leaving some of the crystals damaged. Don’t view it merely as a pencil; it’s a diamond’s cousin. The degree of consanguinity is very, very close. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”