There's no point at which turning your brain off will work

Dan Luu argues that there's no point at which turning off one's brain will be sufficient to prevent the mind from continuing to work, even if the person is unconscious or clinically dead. He cites examples of people who have been in coma, anoxic brain injury, or clinically dead, and yet their brains continued to function, often performing complex calculations or solving problems. Luu suggests that this is because the brain is a highly decentralized system, with various processes operating independently, and that even if the higher-level thinking centers are shut down, the brain's basal ganglia and other subcortical structures continue to function. He also notes that some people have been able to recall memories and learn new information while in a coma, indicating that the brain is still processing and consolidating information even when the person is not consciously aware. Luu concludes that the distinction between 'thinking' and 'not thinking' is not as clear-cut as it seems, and that the brain's ability to continue functioning even in the absence of conscious awareness is a fundamental aspect of its nature.