Identity

Austin cleared his throat. Given the choice between being with books or people, he'd always choose books. You could always tell what a book thought without needing to have a confrontation. People, on the other hand, defensively clung to their need to be right no matter how flawed their thinking.

The only barrier to apprehending the truth is our own unwillingness to see the world as it is instead of how we prefer it to be.

They followed the hallway until it jogged left again. Took the turn at a run. Deserted except for two patients: One, a bald Asian man who stood in a doorway doing nothing. Just beyond him, a teenage boy sitting in a wheelchair backed against the wall. He watched them without expression. Just another day for a patient without much of a mind. Austin veered to the left side of the hall to keep distance between them. “Keep going, don’t stop,” he whispered. The Asian patient lifted his arm and pointed at them as they passed but addressed the boy in the wheelchair. “Jacob. Look, Jacob. Two birds running.

What is it, then, that comprises our deepest selves and gives us worth?

We all get to discover who we really are at some point, and when we do, it can be quite unsettling.

People, on the other hand, defensively clung to their need to be right no matter how flawed their thinking. “Consciousness enabled by our particularly well-developed brains is what sets us apart,”he managed. He continued with a little more confidence. “Homo sapiens have a uniquely evolved neocortex, prefrontal cortex, and temporal lobes that make us capable of abstract thought, language, problem solving, and introspection.”“Our awareness makes us human then?”“No. It’s not simply a matter of passive awareness. Even slugs and plants have a level of sentience. It’s our ability to harness the power of our minds to gather knowledge, organize it into something relevant, and advance to a more evolved state. Our thoughts are the gateway. We think, therefore, we are.”“And how can we trust our thoughts?”“It’s a matter of intelligence and careful observation. You said yourself that ours is a universe of observable phenomena. The only barrier to apprehending the truth is our own unwillingness to see the world as it is instead of how we prefer it to be.”The professor’s lips nudged into a smile. “Perhaps. Well said, Mr. Hartt.”He turned toward the class. “Our time’s up today. For next class, please read chapters twenty through forty-five. And”—he glanced up at Austin—“be sure to arrive on time for the discussion.”Austin nodded as he stood. “Mr. Hartt, a word with you please?”Dr. Riley said, stuffing his papers into a leather briefcase