Comments on: Science: People missing half their brain function almost perfectly normally http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/ The world’s first, full-service conservative Internet broadcast network Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:39:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mojave Mark http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426852 Mojave Mark Sun, 27 May 2007 04:41:42 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426852 AP, I have half a mind to protest this topic vociferously. AP, I have half a mind to protest this topic vociferously.

]]> By: profitsbeard http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426714 profitsbeard Sun, 27 May 2007 03:23:26 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426714 Not the bottom, rear half. Just the <em>superficial</em> new stuff on the top and front. The 'Reptilian Brain' is essential (breathing etc.). The 'Thinking Brain', not so much. Which explains the enduring success of Islam. (<em>Rather than explode myths, they explode th</em>emselves.) On this topic, anyone interested picking their own brain should grab a copy of Julian Jaynes' neural stimulant "<strong>The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind</strong>". You never think of the words <em>corpus colossum </em>the same way again. Not the bottom, rear half.

Just the superficial new stuff on the top and front.

The ‘Reptilian Brain’ is essential (breathing etc.).

The ‘Thinking Brain’, not so much.

Which explains the enduring success of Islam.

(Rather than explode myths, they explode themselves.)

On this topic, anyone interested picking their own brain should grab a copy of Julian Jaynes’ neural stimulant “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind“.

You never think of the words corpus colossum the same way again.

]]> By: Kralizec http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426566 Kralizec Sun, 27 May 2007 02:06:46 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426566 This is just a reasonable guess, I know, but it seems that one thing neurologists will discover from studying the people who have undergone hemispherectomies as young children is that the remaining hemisphere has a better supply of nutrients and oxygen than the corresponding hemisphere does in people who have both hemispheres intact. I imagine the remaining hemisphere retains more of its neurons during childhood, adds a larger-than-normal number of new ones, and forms a larger number of interconnections per neuron. There must also be a certain economy in having just one hemisphere; no neurons or connections have to be given over to communicating with the nonexistent hemisphere. This is just a reasonable guess, I know, but it seems that one thing neurologists will discover from studying the people who have undergone hemispherectomies as young children is that the remaining hemisphere has a better supply of nutrients and oxygen than the corresponding hemisphere does in people who have both hemispheres intact. I imagine the remaining hemisphere retains more of its neurons during childhood, adds a larger-than-normal number of new ones, and forms a larger number of interconnections per neuron. There must also be a certain economy in having just one hemisphere; no neurons or connections have to be given over to communicating with the nonexistent hemisphere.

]]> By: conservativecaveman http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426519 conservativecaveman Sun, 27 May 2007 01:42:53 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426519 It's hard for me to understand why people like Rosie, Alec Baldwin, or Babs get any attention paid to their political opinions at all. It’s hard for me to understand why people like Rosie, Alec Baldwin, or Babs get any attention paid to their political opinions at all.

]]> By: taznar http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426361 taznar Sun, 27 May 2007 00:11:20 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426361 <blockquote>I’ve read scientific articles that say “the norm” is that people use only one-tenth of their brain capacity. But I don’t think that’s true …</blockquote> That's true, but the caveat is they only use about 10% <strong>at a time</strong>. While sitting and watching a movie, you're using about 10% of your brain, but "motor functions" aren't being used much. While sitting and knitting a sweater, a largely different 10% of your brain is being used... while walking and chewing gum a somewhat different 10%... While there's obviously a lot of overlap for different activities, pretty much all your brain gets used for a variety of activities sooner or later.

I’ve read scientific articles that say “the norm” is that people use only one-tenth of their brain capacity. But I don’t think that’s true …

That’s true, but the caveat is they only use about 10% at a time. While sitting and watching a movie, you’re using about 10% of your brain, but “motor functions” aren’t being used much. While sitting and knitting a sweater, a largely different 10% of your brain is being used… while walking and chewing gum a somewhat different 10%…

While there’s obviously a lot of overlap for different activities, pretty much all your brain gets used for a variety of activities sooner or later.

]]> By: boru http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426174 boru Sat, 26 May 2007 22:31:30 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426174 Why do so many health articles need to start with a ghastly bloody surgery photo that makes the Al Qaida torture manual look like a Beatrix Potter anthology? I'm just askin. Why do so many health articles need to start with a ghastly bloody surgery photo that makes the Al Qaida torture manual look like a Beatrix Potter anthology? I’m just askin.

]]> By: Maxx http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-426117 Maxx Sat, 26 May 2007 22:01:42 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-426117 I’ve read scientific articles that say “the norm” is that people use only one-tenth of their brain capacity. But I don’t think that’s true ... I’m fairly sure I know people that on average use far far less. I’ve read scientific articles that say “the norm” is that people use only one-tenth of their brain capacity. But I don’t think that’s true … I’m fairly sure I know people that on average use far far less.

]]> By: Neocon Peg http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425969 Neocon Peg Sat, 26 May 2007 20:45:47 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425969 Buzzy, That is too sad. Hope everything goes well for her in the future. Buzzy,

That is too sad. Hope everything goes well for her in the future.

]]> By: Buzzy http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425932 Buzzy Sat, 26 May 2007 20:19:54 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425932 I have a friend that had a huge tumor removed from her brain, which honestly required nearly half the brain to be removed. She is sadly not the same person but she can function in society. I have a friend that had a huge tumor removed from her brain, which honestly required nearly half the brain to be removed. She is sadly not the same person but she can function in society.

]]> By: Buck Turgidson http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425923 Buck Turgidson Sat, 26 May 2007 20:15:42 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425923 I'll take this post as unofficial confirmation that I can continue to post comments. I’ll take this post as unofficial confirmation that I can continue to post comments.

]]> By: Entelechy http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425915 Entelechy Sat, 26 May 2007 20:12:47 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425915 Imagine how much progressiveness there w/b if we'd all use 100% of our brains. But then again: Murtha, M. Waters, C. Sheehan, D. Cunningham, the Vent audience, truthers, Venezuelan voters, M. Chertoff, B. Streisand, Jimmy Carter, etc., etc... Imagine how much progressiveness there w/b if we’d all use 100% of our brains.

But then again: Murtha, M. Waters, C. Sheehan, D. Cunningham, the Vent audience, truthers, Venezuelan voters, M. Chertoff, B. Streisand, Jimmy Carter, etc., etc…

]]> By: Speakup http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425908 Speakup Sat, 26 May 2007 20:07:49 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425908 I guess some people aren't 'half' brained after all. Hmmmm, left or right which do I want to keep? I guess some people aren’t ‘half’ brained after all.

Hmmmm, left or right which do I want to keep?

]]> By: jummy http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425907 jummy Sat, 26 May 2007 20:06:39 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425907 ...a stick of butter, a quart of milk... …a stick of butter, a quart of milk…

]]> By: Neocon Peg http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425901 Neocon Peg Sat, 26 May 2007 20:03:56 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425901 Gives a whole new meaning to "... with half my brain tied behind my back..." Rush! Gives a whole new meaning to “… with half my brain tied behind my back…” Rush!

]]> By: 4shoes http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425883 4shoes Sat, 26 May 2007 19:54:50 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425883 <blockquote>"You can't take more than half. If you take the whole thing, you've got a problem," Johns Hopkins neurologist John Freeman quips.</blockquote> I don't know about that, I know a few people who you wouldn't notice anything different!

“You can’t take more than half. If you take the whole thing, you’ve got a problem,” Johns Hopkins neurologist John Freeman quips.

I don’t know about that, I know a few people who you wouldn’t notice anything different!

]]> By: Kini http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425831 Kini Sat, 26 May 2007 19:31:36 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425831 <blockquote>Give this man a raise, a parking space, and a gas card. Limerick on May 26, 2007 at 3:10 PM</blockquote> An office with a window, a secretary, and a open ended expense account. Legions of fans....

Give this man a raise, a parking space, and a gas card.

Limerick on May 26, 2007 at 3:10 PM

An office with a window, a secretary, and a open ended expense account.

Legions of fans….

]]> By: Jim Treacher http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425806 Jim Treacher Sat, 26 May 2007 19:19:19 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425806 Wait, which half of her brain is <em>intact</em>? Wait, which half of her brain is intact?

]]> By: Limerick http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425793 Limerick Sat, 26 May 2007 19:10:56 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425793 <blockquote>If you’re fortunate enough to be paid to blog you’ve got to go the extra mile. Allahpundit on May 26, 2007 at 3:08 PM</blockquote> Give this man a raise, a parking space, and a gas card.

If you’re fortunate enough to be paid to blog you’ve got to go the extra mile.

Allahpundit on May 26, 2007 at 3:08 PM

Give this man a raise, a parking space, and a gas card.

]]> By: Allahpundit http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425789 Allahpundit Sat, 26 May 2007 19:08:51 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425789 If you're fortunate enough to be paid to blog you've got to go the extra mile. If you’re fortunate enough to be paid to blog you’ve got to go the extra mile.

]]> By: OneEyedJack http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425780 OneEyedJack Sat, 26 May 2007 19:02:59 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425780 By the way, AP, this is real dedication, scouring the wires for points of interest on a holiday weekend. I'm only reading this now because gardening in mud and rain is no fun. By the way, AP, this is real dedication, scouring the wires for points of interest on a holiday weekend.

I’m only reading this now because gardening in mud and rain is no fun.

]]> By: JammieWearingFool http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425779 JammieWearingFool Sat, 26 May 2007 19:02:58 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425779 Is that mischief I smell? Is that mischief I smell?

]]> By: OneEyedJack http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/comment-page-1/#comment-425768 OneEyedJack Sat, 26 May 2007 18:58:28 +0000 http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/26/science-people-missing-half-their-brain-function-almost-perfectly-normally/#comment-425768 Snarky comments about Democrats and Bush adm. officials begin in 3...2....1.... Snarky comments about Democrats and Bush adm. officials begin in 3…2….1….

]]>