I first got interested in the brain through computers.

In the ancient world, when the first great philosophers sought to understand the nature of the human mind, they looked to the heavens, the stars, and the mysteries of the natural world for answers. But one of the most profound questions that arose in their contemplations was this: what is the essence of thought, of consciousness? It is a question that has plagued humankind for millennia, for even as we soar to the heights of knowledge, the true nature of the brain—that central force behind all of human experience—remains elusive. Paul Allen, a man who sought to unlock the mysteries of the universe in his own time, found his path to this understanding through the computer, the creation of man that has reshaped the world. "I first got interested in the brain through computers," he said, offering us a glimpse into the very heart of his intellectual journey, where the study of one led to the revelation of the other.

At the core of Allen’s insight lies a truth as old as humanity itself: that to understand the mind—that vast, intricate web of thoughts, memories, and emotions—we must turn to the tools that we have created to mirror and model it. The computer, that most marvelous of human inventions, is not merely a machine for calculating numbers, but a reflection of the brain’s workings, a mechanical mimic of the mind's ability to process information, solve problems, and create. Just as the ancient Egyptians built their pyramids as symbols of human ingenuity, so too did Allen see the computer as a modern-day monument—not only to technology, but to our quest to understand the very nature of thought itself.

Consider the early mathematicians and philosophers, who sought to understand the workings of the human mind by studying patterns in the stars, in nature, and within themselves. The great Aristotle, for instance, believed that the human mind was the seat of reason and that thought could be understood through careful observation of the world around him. Yet, in his time, there was no machine, no computer, to model these thoughts or to help him understand the complexities of the brain. It was not until centuries later, with the rise of computing technology, that humanity would find a tool capable of simulating the very processes that once seemed incomprehensible. Like Aristotle’s quest to understand reason, Paul Allen’s exploration into the world of computers became an effort to explore the unknown, to bridge the gap between the physical world and the abstract world of the mind.

The computer itself, though an invention of humankind, operates in ways that reflect the brain's own ability to process and store information. The brain, with its neurons firing, sending electrical signals, creating connections, and learning from its experiences, is mirrored by the computers that store data, process it, and execute instructions based on programmed logic. In many ways, the study of one can illuminate the other, just as the study of the stars led the ancients to greater understanding of the earth. In Allen’s words, the computer became a key, unlocking the door to the mysteries of the brain, allowing him—and all who followed—to explore the very nature of intelligence, cognition, and consciousness.

Indeed, the modern pursuit of artificial intelligence is built upon this very principle—the idea that if we can model the workings of the brain in a computer, then perhaps we can begin to understand the depths of human consciousness. The creation of AI is an attempt to mirror the most profound aspects of what it means to be human, to replicate the human brain's ability to think, reason, and learn. Yet, Allen knew that this journey was not simply about creating a machine that could think, but rather about understanding the very essence of thinking itself—how the brain processes thoughts, makes decisions, and learns from experience. In this sense, the computer became not only a tool, but a companion on humanity’s quest to understand its own mind.

Thus, the lesson we learn from Paul Allen’s words is this: the journey to understand the brain is not separate from the journey to understand the technology we create. They are interconnected, and through the study of one, we gain insights into the other. The computer, like the great inventions of the past, is not merely a tool to serve our needs, but a reflection of our deepest questions—about consciousness, about intelligence, and about the nature of what it means to be alive. As we continue to innovate, we must see the computer as more than a machine. It is a mirror, reflecting back at us the mysteries we have yet to understand.

The practical action we can take, then, is to embrace the journey of discovery with open minds and open hearts. Just as Paul Allen sought to bridge the gap between technology and the brain, so too must we use the tools of our age to seek greater understanding of our own minds. Let us approach technology not as something apart from us, but as a companion in the ongoing exploration of what it means to be human. By doing so, we honor both the mind and the machine, and we pave the way for future generations to continue the search for answers that, though hidden today, will one day be revealed.