insane in the membrane...?

well i don't have much time to post, but i'd like to get in a little bit while i can, as the beach is calling and the sun is shining...oh lovely florida.
so as i've chilling on the beach, i picked up my notebook and "a whole new mind", and started reading, and taking some notes. This book is really really cool. At first i couldn't tell if it was actually first person, with the wires and MRI experience, but as the book went on, it was just so interesting. I really enjoy reading about the reality of our minds, and our bodies in relation to everyday life and how we interpret the world and our brains. I haven't gotten very far but there was a few things that stood out to me- that humanity still considers the left side of the brain- the analytical, caculated side- the side that makes us human.
So, as things proceed as they always do, I happened to overhear someone on the beach talking about some tribes or people in another culture. The only part I really remember was them saying "But they're just existing, they arent using their human potential at all" and that really struck me because... who's to say that "just existing" is not using human potential. I understood what the person was saying, but... i'm curious as to exploring what they mean more deeply.
The idea of "human potential" as a part of the brain and body that is supposed to be used....makes it sound like we have a tool that we just aren't using- is that what we consider the brain? Does our knowledge and ability to think make us human, or is it more human just "merely existing"? I haven't gotten very far on the reading, as I've actually been caught up in trying to write down notes and some key/interesting terms and phrases and ideas I have on the topics dis ussed, but I'm really excited to see where the book goes. It seems like a perfect blend between smart mobs (boo) and snow crash-- one is interesting and fictional, and the other is boring and factual. (okay maybe not boring to some but BLAND). this seems interesting and factual, and I can't wait to learn more about our brains and where the future is taking us in terms of learning more.