Anti-memories it would appear are the anti-matter of the brain. Scientists have long known that memories are fundamentally electrical connections between neurons. However, if they were the only thing in play, our brains would rapidly be over-whelmed by runaway electrical activity. This is where anti-memories come in. They form an opposite pattern of electrical impulses to dampen the electrical activity of memories. If anti-memories failed to inhibit this activity, memories could randomly trigger each other, leading to a schizophrenic-like mental state.
It's still early days, these are preliminary results from one team of researchers, but it has the potential to improve our understanding and treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders. Many of which, such as schizophrenia and autism, are believed to be a result of asymmetric electrical activity in the brain.
Meanwhile Cornwall's Archaeological Unit have been exciting a lot of people's neurons with their latest discovery at Tintagel. The remains of a lost royal palace. The site has long been associated with King Arthur, not least as the site where he was conceived and born. When Uther Pendragon, disguised by the magic of Merlin, slipped into the castle to impregnate Lady Igraine, the Duke of Cornwall’s wife and Arthur’s mother.
Relying more on modern technology than Merlin's magic, this is being hailed as one of the most significant finds at Tintagel for several decades. It's believed the building discovered may have been the seat of power of the ancient Kingdom of Dumnonia. At a time when Anglo-Saxon invaders were clashing with Romano-British rulers.
A much wider dig is scheduled for 2017 and there are, no doubt, many more secrets waiting to be uncovered at Tintagel. I'll leave you to decided if these will have any bearing on the sites links with King Arthur.
Fast forward a few centuries and I was taking the Ferry Cross the Mersey, the oldest passenger ferry service in the world, dating back to 1150. Although the Ferry we travelled on, MV Snowdrop, had more modern roots in 1959. It's currently decorated in WWI Dazzle Camouflage designed by Sir Peter Blake, the creator of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper's album cover.
Which brings me to Paul McCartney and John Lennon's houses, both of which are in the care of the National Trust. Purchased by the Trust 20-years-ago McCartney's house, on a humble post-war council estate, has been lovingly restored how it would have looked when Paul was growing up there. John Lennon meanwhile grew up in a near-by Semi with Aunt Mimi, donated to the Trust by Yoko Ono in 2002. Both were given grade II listed status by English Heritage in 2012.
The curators are excellent and knowledgable and the guided tours run by the Trust worth every penny. I'd recommend booking the last tour of the day, when the minibus runs from Speake Hall, and combining it with an exploration of one of England's finest surviving Tudor Manor Houses, dating back to 1530. It's said Shakespeare, another great artist, once performed here in 1580.
There are also rumours of another Trust property linked to the Beatles, Croome. The UK HQ of the Hari Krishna movement between 1979-84, they had a recording studio in the now derelict Red Wing. George Harrison was life-long Krishna devotee, although of course it's pure speculation to suggest he (or any other Beatle) may have visited Croome and used the recording studio. I was there last weekend to see my Son-in-law Stev perform in a piece of physical theatre celebrating Capability Brown.
Somehow between all this I've managed to complete by zombie story 'Outbreak' and started work on a new short piece of science fiction 'Broken'. 'Broken' should appear on the blog in due course. Meanwhile 'Outbreak' is with a couple of beta reader's for revision and editing, but should emerge as a free ebook at some stage.