Well, this article from the UK Times newspaper is certainly encouraging. It explores what we know - and don't yet know - about the human brain: how it works, and how it maintains its abilities as we age. On the latter, the evidence appears to suggest that the 'use it or lose it' maxim is a good one to live by - play chess, do puzzles or mind games, or just read a lot. It's all good for your brain, which can grow new cells when challenged in this way. But there is also evidence, apparently, that everyone can experience 'eureka' moments - bursts of creative genius - when faced with difficult challenges. In other words, we plug away trying to find the answer to a particular question, analyzing the options, then all of a sudden - just as we have given up hope - we break through and solve the problem. This likely relates to use of the brain's 'prefrontal cortex', which has the ability to 'freewheel' (allowing us to generate unusual or surprising associations between different ideas) and then pull everything together. This ability is particularly well-developed in 'divergent thinkers', including creative geniuses, but we are all capable of it. So, there you go - let your brain freewheel! You may be surprised at the ideas you generate or the problems you solve...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
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2 comments:
A great article! This is definitely in the 'things they should teach you at school' category. Thank you.
The remarks on brain-training are really good. Alas, I fear many people's minds are taken up by menial but potentially stressful and tiring tasks most of the time (driving, laundry, last months sales statistics...), leaving them with little left to do anything but slump in front of the TV every night, rarely able to answer puzzles let alone dream them up.
People need a daily or weekly puzzle to keep our minds active - perhaps supplied by a daily or weekly blog? Something to ponder, challenge us, and make us reflect; either thinking alone or collectively. One for Reasons to be Hopeful Two?
Hi Diana
Yes - if we studied the functioning of the brain in school, with a focus on its real-life utility and how to look after it, then that would likely help many people. (Might help reduce the number of kids experiencing problems with 'brain frying' vices such as alcohol and drug abuse too...)
There are tons of puzzle blogs and websites, you'll be pleased to know. See puzzlinks.com or mathpuzzle.com. If you are serious about daily brain training, a lumosity.com subscription (mentioned in the Times article) might be worth the investment...
E
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