In Secret History Laura writes that we seem to utilize only 5% of our brain and this is connected to the fact that most of our DNA is 'junk' DNA. Where is she getting this from- I thought the number was 10% and that this was a myth. If you google '10% brain' all of the websites debunk the number as a myth. What is the source of her information?
You only use 10% of your brain- myth or fact?
- Thread starter Kesdjan
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atreides
Guest
I don't agree that the websites do much if anything to debunk the "myth" of 10% usage, most seem to be arguments without considering semantics, others blatantly abuse the fact that the media and some mediums use the 10% dealy-o for promotion, which indicates nothing scientifically. The 10% myth is debunked when regarded as a nebulous concept, or as a whole by these sites, there are details and points of view that are not considered. The observer of a phenomena is part of the equation, so how we see something or interpret something semantically is important. Since so little is known in the true sense of the word, about the brain, the myth can hardly be verified or debunked per se. As for the sources of the information, it may just be one of those 'took it for granted' things.
All in all, it's a bout of hair splitting, though from a personal stand point, empirical evidence supports the statement, and training of memory and concentration does work, so obviously, something isn't being used that can be used. Again, from personal experience and observation of others. Whether or not it's 5, 10, or 20%, throwing the baby out with this bath water would only further the argument for 10%.
All in all, it's a bout of hair splitting, though from a personal stand point, empirical evidence supports the statement, and training of memory and concentration does work, so obviously, something isn't being used that can be used. Again, from personal experience and observation of others. Whether or not it's 5, 10, or 20%, throwing the baby out with this bath water would only further the argument for 10%.
Devar
Jedi
Insightful comment Atriedes. I thought it was something along the lines of that we only utilize about 10% of our brain at any one time, but do use the entire organ (well.. lets perhaps say 99.9%). But indeed the operations of our brain are not as well understood yet to peg any definate figure on it. Any neuroscientists in the house?
A couple of years ago I was investigating the work of TDA Lingo (deceased) through one of his students, Neil Slade. TDA Lingo worked with the theory that a vast number of dormant brain functions reside in the frontal lobes and can be activated to some extent by certain techniques. Neil himself describes his anecdotal experiences of psi phenomena, astral travel, enhanced intuition etc. as a result of progressing towards what he describes as a 'frontal lobes transcendence', which he equates with the religious or mytical peak experiences described by many cultures. After trying such techniques, which involve using imagery to directly stimulate the amygdalae of the limbic system (the root of the theory lies in the fact that these structures act as a sort of switch between the advanced parts of the brain and the more primitive 'reptile brain' - this being a very simplified description if you happen to know about the frontal lobes), I have had some absolutely astonishing, intense experiences.
Neils website is found at www(dot)neilslade(dot)com, where what he would consider the essential information is provided free.
I have since left this research after becoming entirely consumed with an even more fascinating website, no prizes for guessing which one, but it has left me with the firm impression that we only use a small fraction of our brain's potential. It is the significance and implications of that fact which has since changed for me.
Neils website is found at www(dot)neilslade(dot)com, where what he would consider the essential information is provided free.
I have since left this research after becoming entirely consumed with an even more fascinating website, no prizes for guessing which one, but it has left me with the firm impression that we only use a small fraction of our brain's potential. It is the significance and implications of that fact which has since changed for me.
ziggystarlust
Jedi
Did you try "Busting a Cloud"? I have performed this exercise about four times sucessfully. Quite amazing really. It did leave me with a feeling of empowerment and a feeling of connection with the world that is difficult to explain. After a quick visit to his site, I cannot find a link to the exercise. It may be there somewhere. Never got into the daily habit of turning on my amygdala/stimulating frontal lobes to determine the benefits, if any, of long term use. He had a yahoo group, which I was a member for a short time, and I found him to be egotistical and self centered and left.Ben said:
joejoeba
Jedi
if one got an axe or a scalpel and removed 90% of the brain I think the experience would be quite similar to the phenomenon called 'death'.
I believe that the blood pumping round the body, powered by the heart that feeds the whole mass of the brain, does so for a reason. Whatever that reason may be I am sure it is a good one that enables us to live.
If there is an occasion where some of the brain is dormant, its probably because we don't need it at this point.
My thoughts on this may well be a fine representation of an even 2% usage, however I remain convinced that The 10% story is a socio-fantastic metaphor for guilt of potential under-fulfillment.
I believe that the blood pumping round the body, powered by the heart that feeds the whole mass of the brain, does so for a reason. Whatever that reason may be I am sure it is a good one that enables us to live.
If there is an occasion where some of the brain is dormant, its probably because we don't need it at this point.
My thoughts on this may well be a fine representation of an even 2% usage, however I remain convinced that The 10% story is a socio-fantastic metaphor for guilt of potential under-fulfillment.
Yes, his website looks horrendous, you also have to dig around before finding the most important information, the site is commercial in that it sells Neil's books and music (which is how he makes money, other than being a guitar teacher).Deckard said:
The experiences I mentioned fall under the categories of sensations during the exercises themselves, I'm afraid I can't describe these accurately other than saying that they were intensely enjoyable (on one occasion I could see through my closed eyelids), and incidences of phenomena such as intuition or 'synchronicity' which may have correlated with stimulation of the frontal lobes. Such synchronicities have continued, however, intensifying particularly when I discovered this site. As Neil explains, and as my experience certainly confirms, the results of amygdala stimulation are dependent on the amount of effort which you apply to using the brain in genuinely creative or new ways, otherwise it just stops. The theory, very briefly, is that the brain has evolved a reward mechanism whereby enjoyable experiences result from the use and development of new brain circuits.
nf3
Jedi
Wouldn't that depend on the situation? Right now my leg muscles are dormant because I am sitting and don't need them. But if they remain dormant when I have work to do, it is because I am being lazy and not exerting the energy necessary to activate them. Or maybe I'll find myself in a situation that pushes them past the limits of their habitual use and find that they quickly become tired and unable to cope with the strain.joejoeba said:
I think it's likely that the brain operates in the same way. We don't NEED 100% of it to get through the day. In fact, once we hardwire it with daily routines through repetition, we can get around with no mental exertion whatsoever. But the moment something unexpected happens or we are required to think about something new, we find it very difficult to use those parts of the brain that have become lazy through lack of use. Not because those parts are inaccessible, but because they need to be exercised into good working condition--with critical thought and focussed effort on pushing through the mental fog and fatigue that accompany it at first.
joejoeba
Jedi
That is exactly what I was saying with the if you took a scalpel and removed 90% of the brain we would die fact....If you cut off your legs because you were not using them need I say how one might regret it when trying to get up and stoke the soup.
Some daily brain exercise is what draws me to these forums in all fairness.
When looking back at the things I have said so far. It's amazing how embarassingly naive some of my posts have been however!!
Back to the post topic-------I think if it's between myth and fact I think fact is actually a more fair choice, if we only have those parameters to choose from. We definately use our brain, whatever percent of it dosn't really matter!!
I would prefer 10 than 3, yet I know that while I pee in the morn I am not fully active. It could never be 100% or we might explode. My uncle died of a brain haemorrage. He was an IBM inventor and world class chess player introvert. He died alone and extremely active in the cranium.
In the past I have halucinated and I felt my whole head light up, also when I first read Laura and Ark's C chats a similar thing occured. Maybe the way to increase one's personal pie chart of brain usage is simply to open new doors!!
Some daily brain exercise is what draws me to these forums in all fairness.
When looking back at the things I have said so far. It's amazing how embarassingly naive some of my posts have been however!!
Back to the post topic-------I think if it's between myth and fact I think fact is actually a more fair choice, if we only have those parameters to choose from. We definately use our brain, whatever percent of it dosn't really matter!!
I would prefer 10 than 3, yet I know that while I pee in the morn I am not fully active. It could never be 100% or we might explode. My uncle died of a brain haemorrage. He was an IBM inventor and world class chess player introvert. He died alone and extremely active in the cranium.
In the past I have halucinated and I felt my whole head light up, also when I first read Laura and Ark's C chats a similar thing occured. Maybe the way to increase one's personal pie chart of brain usage is simply to open new doors!!
joejoeba
Jedi
Been thinking about dormant brain function and the correlations between variations in physical and sensual ability. For example, some people have a better sense of smell than others. Or, People's strength can change depending on the circumstances (or the chemical production). I link to the famous understanding of the mothering instinct producing super-human reactions when her child is threatened. That strength is dormant, yet when circumstances allow, is unlocked.
When need to locate the keys.
I assume that the keys are chemicals, and they open doors to the dormant programs, awaiting the precise fuel to operate.
Through thought alone, can we produce these keys and in turn unlock these potentials at will. Are they locked away for a reason.
A Basset hound, or a wolf can apparently smell a trail six months old under six months of snow. Allthough it would be an eye(or nose opener) Would it really be productive to unlock that ability dormant in programs within our own DNA or mind?
In reponse to this, can we essential unlock aspects of our mind that no-one knows can exist. Do we need chemicals to do this?
Wowser!!
When need to locate the keys.
I assume that the keys are chemicals, and they open doors to the dormant programs, awaiting the precise fuel to operate.
Through thought alone, can we produce these keys and in turn unlock these potentials at will. Are they locked away for a reason.
A Basset hound, or a wolf can apparently smell a trail six months old under six months of snow. Allthough it would be an eye(or nose opener) Would it really be productive to unlock that ability dormant in programs within our own DNA or mind?
In reponse to this, can we essential unlock aspects of our mind that no-one knows can exist. Do we need chemicals to do this?
Wowser!!
nf3
Jedi
Sort of, but it seems the chemicals are produced by the body as needed to unlock genes as needed. Laura writes extensively about this in Secret History of the World. The relevant excerpt has been posted here:joejoeba said:
http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=2638.msg26737#msg26737
I think it would be cause for concern if our old thoughts and ideas didn't seem naive to us. That would mean that we're not expanding and changing them based on new information. :)joejoeba said:
joejoeba
Jedi
Thanks for the link.
These chemicals we speak of that unlock things when needed are codes, in this context are words. The net is our collective body producing this forum which is a gland, giving me an increase of chemical understanding I require to unlock the links to parts of the collective brain that hold information and thus functions and sensations which have been dormant/otherwise inaccesable to me but not per se to all!! ;)
These chemicals we speak of that unlock things when needed are codes, in this context are words. The net is our collective body producing this forum which is a gland, giving me an increase of chemical understanding I require to unlock the links to parts of the collective brain that hold information and thus functions and sensations which have been dormant/otherwise inaccesable to me but not per se to all!! ;)
tried reading the neil slade stuff but I got stuck at the very begining,
he says following:
apart from this the whole concept does sound very simple and too easy to be true
but then again truth is often very simple
in any case this has put me off from further investigation,
for now...
maybe ben could point out to the info that is most relevant
he says following:
now how does the part in bold explain the abilities of entropic overlords that seem to be rulling our world and using said abilities without any consequences all the time
apart from this the whole concept does sound very simple and too easy to be true
but then again truth is often very simple
in any case this has put me off from further investigation,
for now...
maybe ben could point out to the info that is most relevant
