July 9, 2011

10 percent of brain: True? + Other stuff.


We have all heard of the stories that we humans only use 10 percent of our brain capacity. These allegations all imply that the unused 90 percent of the brain is capable of extraordinary feats, namely psychic powers, telekinesis and ESP.

"It is a myth that man uses only 10 percent of present brain capacity; evolution theory argues against such a monumental waste of available resources."
-James Kakalios

Evolution theory engineers all beings to be as efficient as possible, thus it is highly improbable that humans would have such a big percentage of unused grey matter. Neurologist Barry Gordon (famous for his efforts in debunking this myth) states that man uses virtually every part of the brain, and that [most of] the brain is active at all times. 

Gordon also tells us that the myth's durability feeds on people's conceptions about their own faults as being attributed to untapped brain power. What is correct, however, is that at certain moments (rest/sleep) we might be only using 10 percent of the brain.

The human brain consists of the cerebellum, the cerebrum and the brain stem. (Basic high school biology/science class knowledge that you already know. Otherwise: http://tinyurl.com/dfrk89)

The cerebrum is the large hefty blob that is responsible for all cognitive functions. The cerebellum manages all your motor functions; while the brain stem is dedicated to involuntary actions such as breathing. 

The majority of the power consumed by the brain powers the rapid firing of millions of neurons communicating with each other. Scientists think it is such neuronal firing and connecting that gives rise to all of the brain's higher functions.

This brings us to - (source)
Evolution: The brain is enormously costly to the rest of the body, in terms of oxygen and nutrient consumption. It can require up to twenty percent of the body's energy--more than any other organ--despite making up only 2% of the human body by weight. If 90% of it were unnecessary, there would be a large survival advantage to humans with smaller, more efficient brains. If this were true, the process of natural selection would have eliminated the inefficient brains. By the same token, it is also highly unlikely that a brain with so much redundant matter would have evolved in the first place.

TL;DR :It is a myth that man uses only 10 percent of present brain capacity

END.
 
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Where are we going?
We are getting closer to the Corridor Theory.

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Consider the notions: 
if neurons could be smaller and still fulfill their role in the brain. 
What happens when man finally discovers the boundaries of the universe?
Can escape velocity can be applied to the universe? On such scales, where the (approaching) infinite number of forces interact together, what happens?
And the most important question of all:

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

All of the above are under investigation, and (the findings) would be presented in a more concise format when the time comes. No promises.

15 comments:

  1. really interesting. love reading blogs like these.
    we are going to destroy the planet, somehow!
    +1

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  2. nice post butt i dont't believe thet we use only 10 % of our brain then we will be animals :)

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  3. The problem is most people use less than 1% of their brain, damn idiots roaming around. :)

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  4. Yeah, I was always iffy with the 10% thing. It just didn't make that much sense to me. Why would we only use that much? Why did we need the other 90% then? Lol.

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  5. Have you seen Limitless? It's an awesome movie about a pill that makes someone use 100% of the brain capacity

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  6. I heard we use about 30% of our brain. Who can you believe :P

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  7. I already knew this, but the post is well written and explains the reasons why well, nice one man.

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  8. well we use more you simply cant use 100% because you cant find a thing that needs you to stimulate all different parts of the brain.

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  9. AnonymousJuly 14, 2011

    I think i use like 1% of my brain ):

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  10. As fascinating as it would be, it sounds rather odd that we'd only use 10% of our brain.

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  11. Very interesting. Funny thing is some, scientologists in greece, try to make people believe that the only way to use the 90% of your brain you don't normally use, is by true faith to god.

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  12. lot of people doesnt have a brain :)

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  13. Very interesting! Thanks for the info

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  14. Yeah, it sure is a myth. Although, I must say that from my personal experience: brain is quite a complex and very 'big' structure. I've seen people who lost nearly 20% due to accidents - you can find photos of soldiers with very severe head injuries, I heard about a case of a lumber mill worker who had accident with a saw and lost large part of the frontal lobe. Despite this loss, the man didn't lose any of the brain functions, memories, didn't suffer from character change, emotional instabilities, etc. That apparently means that although brain is used extensively by human body and is so necessary, it can still adaptate to new conditions - i.e. changing the connections between the nervous cells, so called synapses. No wonder we still can't fully understand the functions of the brain.

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Yes, Cerebrate?