Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Malagasy Rain · 07-31-2003, 08:54 PM

Is it actually true that we humans use only 10% of our brains? If so, is there any pragmatic way to use at least 11% or the whole damn thing? If not, then we were handicapped from that start.

Godless Wonder · 07-31-2003, 09:31 PM

Ever heard of anyone with 90% of their brains taken out with no ill effects? Me neither. How about 50%? Still no good? How about 10%? How much can you remove without something bad happening? 90% unused seems way too high to me.

Caligula · 07-31-2003, 09:47 PM

Nope, it's not true. The 10% Myth

Lobstrosity · 07-31-2003, 09:47 PM

Why would you think any parts of our brains go "unused"?

echidna · 07-31-2003, 11:12 PM

Previous thread ...

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.p...5&pagenumber=1

Gawdawful · 07-31-2003, 11:27 PM

A fellow I know uses this sig line:

Quote:

The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its capacity -- the rest is overhead for the operating system.

Warren in Oklahoma

Malagasy Rain · 07-31-2003, 11:52 PM

GODDAMNIT I'VE BEEN FOOLED AGAIN BY THE IGNORANT MASSES!! :banghead: :calms down:

I've got to start reading more science.

echidna · 08-01-2003, 12:15 AM

Don't go too hard on the Great Unwashed. While we're reading science they're getting laid.

catalyst · 08-01-2003, 02:03 AM

Now why did you have to go and say that?

Dammit.

Chiron · 08-01-2003, 11:30 PM

(disclaimer: I don't know if this is greatly significant to the discussion)
As a computer is pushed to its limits, it becomes less and less efficient. The more stuff being done, the more stuff required to keep track of the stuff being done. This is true with memory, processes, and hard drive space, as far as I know (ever seen a *nix system down to the last few percentages of HD space? T'ain't pretty.). The unused portions of our brain (remember, they're not permanently unused -- the load is spread around) can give some breathing room to the thoughts we're having, and act as a buffer against information overload.

-Chiron

07-31-2003, 08:54 PM	#1
Malagasy Rain Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA Posts: 664	The vestige that is our brains Is it actually true that we humans use only 10% of our brains? If so, is there any pragmatic way to use at least 11% or the whole damn thing? If not, then we were handicapped from that start.

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07-31-2003, 09:31 PM	#2
Godless Wonder Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,197	Ever heard of anyone with 90% of their brains taken out with no ill effects? Me neither. How about 50%? Still no good? How about 10%? How much can you remove without something bad happening? 90% unused seems way too high to me.

07-31-2003, 09:47 PM	#3
Caligula Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: West Coast Posts: 58	Nope, it's not true. The 10% Myth

07-31-2003, 09:47 PM	#4
Lobstrosity Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 719	Why would you think any parts of our brains go "unused"?

07-31-2003, 11:12 PM	#5
echidna Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,832	Previous thread ... http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.p...5&pagenumber=1

07-31-2003, 11:52 PM	#7
Malagasy Rain Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA Posts: 664	GODDAMNIT I'VE BEEN FOOLED AGAIN BY THE IGNORANT MASSES!! :banghead: :calms down: I've got to start reading more science.

08-01-2003, 12:15 AM	#8
echidna Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,832	Don't go too hard on the Great Unwashed. While we're reading science they're getting laid.

08-01-2003, 02:03 AM	#9
catalyst Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 6,158	Now why did you have to go and say that? Dammit.

08-01-2003, 11:30 PM	#10
Chiron Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 9 Zodiac Circle Posts: 163	(disclaimer: I don't know if this is greatly significant to the discussion) As a computer is pushed to its limits, it becomes less and less efficient. The more stuff being done, the more stuff required to keep track of the stuff being done. This is true with memory, processes, and hard drive space, as far as I know (ever seen a *nix system down to the last few percentages of HD space? T'ain't pretty.). The unused portions of our brain (remember, they're not permanently unused -- the load is spread around) can give some breathing room to the thoughts we're having, and act as a buffer against information overload. -Chiron

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