[js1138]

Only human beings among earthly life forms appear to be aware of a future, and to consciously relate to it. Are brains aware of the future? If so, by means of what mechanism?

Oh please. In the sense you are using "aware" only humans could qualify, whether the issue is future or whatever.

All living creatures, even plants neurons, have tropisms, reflexes, adaptive learning mechanisms that make life essential bets about the future. That future might be milliseconds away or it might be months. The awareness is built in, even when it is not conscious.

If you limit your definition of "awareness of the future" to conscious involvement, you eliminate democrats, many of whom appear on the surface to be human beings.

[Markofhumanfeet]

Got any more of those little wisdom nuggets of yours up your sleeve? You should go on Saturday Night Live and be Evo professor

[betty boop]

All living creatures, even plants neurons, have tropisms, reflexes, adaptive learning mechanisms that make life essential bets about the future. That future might be milliseconds away or it might be months. The awareness is built in, even when it is not conscious.

By saying the above, you merely confirm my observation, js1138. Which is that all living creatures display adaptive learning mechanisms that make life-essential "bets about the future" -- regardless of whether the organism is self-aware ("fully conscious") or not. Even amoebae seem to have the capability "to learn." Does a computer virus?