Over the past few decades, the field of neuroscience has advanced our understanding of the human brain by leaps and bounds. We now know which areas of the left and right hemispheres are responsible for language, movement, emotional responses, and other basic functions. However, much of the brain’s complexity remains illusory and undefinable. At the heart of this uncertainty lies one of the most fundamental existential questions in the history of our species: What is the source of our consciousness? “Ultimate Truth” examines the scientific evidence that can allow us to isolate the core of our identity.
Consciousness is not something we can pinpoint on a CT scan. Instead, it is considered a product of evolution, our collective experience, and the constant interaction between the billions of neurons that power our brains.
Our consciousness evolves throughout our lifetimes as we learn and evolve in a process known as neuroplasticity. Conversely, we can also choose to suppress this growth. Some people may abandon tasks they find too challenging, withdraw from certain activities due to social stigma, or suppress attempts at independent thought.
Cultural changes also make our brains function on a different level than previous generations. The film uncovers these influences, including the shift from the Enlightenment to individualism, the proliferation of social media, the vanity of the selfie, the role of religious dogma in shaping our worldview, and the apathetic masturbation resulting from a society of values above all else.
The filmmakers show lessons from the past that we haven’t fully learned. As the narrative shifts from stories of genocide, war, and apartheid, it keeps coming back to how these factors affect or limit our brain development. It’s an intricate interweaving of influences, stimuli, and experiences, much like the film’s own stance on the evolution of consciousness.
The film features insightful narrative and rich scientific detail, innovative animation and rolling text ads that highlight the main points of its dense material.
Ultimate Truth dissects the concept of the self with surgical precision.
