From “Brain Mysteries” 5-2-2012: Tape measures. Rulers. Graphs. The gas gauge in your car, and the icon on your favorite digital device showing battery power. The number line and its cousins – notations that map numbers onto space and often represent magnitude – are everywhere. Most adults in industrialized societies are so fluent at using […]
More great evidence for the vastly under appreciated role of learning in brain health and development – another example that not only do “I” learn, “I am learned” – we become who we learn to become. Highly recommended reading. Wall Street Journal: 4-30-2012 The Bilingual Brain Is Sharper and More Focused, Study Says
The other night I received a call from the cable company. The voice explained that it was calling about an appointment I had scheduled and asked whether I wanted to keep the appointment, cancel, or reschedule it. After saying I wanted to keep it, the voice asked me if I or someone over 18 would […]
Learning (v) is the exercise of intelligence. Learning(n) is the memory-effects of the exercise of intelligence (like muscle-effects result from physical exercise). To whatever degree our intelligences (physical, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, social, spiritual, visual, musical, etc..) aren’t genetically determined, our intelligences grow – extend – adapt – evolve – improve (whatever other word you might prefer) […]
Re Scientific American’s piece: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=mind-wandering-is-linked-to-your-wo-12-03-17 Working memory is but one of a number of variables to consider when it comes to staying engaged and not ‘drifting’ out. Another under-appreciated cause of mind wandering is the erosion of attention that accompanies skipping over things we don’t understand. Attention is constantly cycling in and out of coherence and […]
Neuroplasticity Noun The state or quality of being neuroplastic, of having a brain that adapts to experience (wiki) neuro- a combining form meaning “nerve,” “nerves,” “nervous system,”used in the formation of compound words: neurology. plastic capable of being molded or of receiving form NEUROPLASTICTY: ANOTHER WORD FOR LEARNING PLEASE… We can’t sustain our efforts without your help. If you think we are on the right track, or even one that should be given consideration, then please help […]
e-volve v. e·volved, e·volv·ing, e·volves v.tr. 1. a. To develop or achieve gradually: evolve a style of one’s own. b. To work (something) out; devise: “the schemes he evolved to line his purse” (S.J. Perelman). 2. Biology To develop (a characteristic) by evolutionary processes. 3. To give off; emit. v.intr. 1. To undergo gradual change; develop: an amateur acting group that evolved into a theatrical company. 2. Biology To develop or arise […]
a·dapt v. a·dapt·ed, a·dapt·ing, a·dapts v.tr. To make suitable to or fit for a specific use or situation. v.intr. To become adapted: a species that has adapted well to winter climes. ad·ap·ta·tion n. 1. a. The act or process of adapting. b. The state of being adapted. 2. a. Something, such as a device or mechanism, that is changed or changes so as to become suitable to […]
Grow Up grow: 1. To increase in size by a natural process. 2. a. To expand; gain: The business grew under new owners. b. To increase in amount or degree; intensify: The suspense grew. 3. To develop and reach maturity. grow up: To become an adult. To ‘grow up’, in the way we use it to describe […]
Albert Einstein is often quoted as having said that “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” What does Einstein mean by using the word ‘acquired’ if not ‘obtained through learning’? Some kind of some machine-like or equally unconscious magical process of internalizing or possessing? Robotically/animalistically choiceless imbibement? Magically/spiritually bestowed? What else could ‘acquire’ mean? In the context […]
