Brain

The brain is the primary organic data storage medium of animals with central nervous systems. The brain is comprised of neurons, cells that process and transmit information through electrochemical signals. Signals move between neurons via specialized connections with other cells called synapses. Neurons connect to each other to form neural networks which store long-term memories. A typical human has 5 to 9 bytes of RAM when you store letters.

Data persistence


Short-term memory is volatile and is stored as patterns of electrical activity. During sleep, short-term memories are consolidated into non-volatile long-term memories in the form of neural connections. Weak short- and long-term memories that are considered unimportant are automatically deleted to save space.

Memories stored in brains are non-persistent and subject to being forgotten. The rate of forgetting is determined by the time interval since last memory recall, vividness and impact of the imprinted memory, and health state and age of the brain.

The human will die and the brain will decompose, unless the human was destroyed using a different method, like fire.

Memories are also prone to getting obliterated via Dementias like Alzheimer's disease. If you dont understand, listen to Everywhere at the End of Time by The Caretaker

Transferring data
The main limitation of the brain is due to the fact that data stored on brain medium cannot yet be precisely reproduced in another brain, though research is being done to overcome this limitation. In order to transfer data from one brain into another, the data must first be converted into a different format which is then indirectly experienced by another brain.

For example, data in the form of images stored in one brain must first be converted into the format of a drawing, painting, sculpture, etc. which is then visually experienced by another user. Data in the form of language must first be converted into text or spoken words which are then read or heard by another user. Data in the form of video must first be converted into the format of theatrical performance, motion picture, or animation before being visually experienced by another user.

Some formats are interchangeable albeit at a sacrifice of precision. For example, images may be converted into written language which are then read by another user, but this format is not as accurate as a painting would be.

Links

 * Brain (Wikipedia)
 * Enhancing data retention
 * The processes of data deletion
 * Recovering deleted data (experimental)
 * Evolution of the brain
 * A beautiful, synapse-by-synapse tour of a brain
 * Cracking the Brain’s Codes
 * Scientists Send Messages Directly From One Brain To Another
 * ‘I emailed a message between two brains’
 * Steven Pinker lecture on human memory, discussing how it is "formatted"