The amygdala creates links between sensory input and reactions to that input. Think Pavlov's dogs. While associating the sound of a bell to the body's hunger responses, like salivation, is fairly benign, the amygdala is also the structure that associates the kaboom of a bomb to the emotional response of seeing the horror wreaked by that bomb. Worse, while the dogs took a little training to make the association stick, trauma burns that connection into the amygdala in an instant. This is how it happens that a person who was eating a banana when they got shattering news that made them throw up can end up turning green at the smell of a banana.
Neuroscience professor Joseph LeDoux explains the amygdala: http://bigthink.com/ideas/24132
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Meditate to Avoid Unnecessary Failure
Current research is showing meditation to be the ultimate Swiss Army Knife of neurological tools. The prevention of choking (the "screwed up something you should have done well" kind, not the "ohmygod, hit me on the back" kind) is one more application of this marvelous tool.
Source: http://www.wildmind.org/blogs/news/how-meditation-can-help-with-choking
Source: http://www.wildmind.org/blogs/news/how-meditation-can-help-with-choking
Social Awareness, Not Brainpower, Determines Group Smarts
"An early effort at defining general intelligence in groups suggests that individual brainpower contributes little to collective smarts.
"Instead, it’s social awareness — the ability to pick up on emotional cues in others — that seems to determine how smart a group can be."
Very interesting. I wonder if that's because the folks with lots of brainpower but little in the way of social awareness aren't as good at kicking the ball around, so to speak - allowing improvements suggested by other team members, letting the conversation flow according to strengths, and accepting and being inspired by even off-the-wall suggestions.
Source: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/09/collective-smarts/
"Instead, it’s social awareness — the ability to pick up on emotional cues in others — that seems to determine how smart a group can be."
Very interesting. I wonder if that's because the folks with lots of brainpower but little in the way of social awareness aren't as good at kicking the ball around, so to speak - allowing improvements suggested by other team members, letting the conversation flow according to strengths, and accepting and being inspired by even off-the-wall suggestions.
Source: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/09/collective-smarts/
Wooden Watches
I haven't worn a watch since I trashed my hands years and years ago. If I did, though, it would be one of these.
http://we-wood.us/
http://we-wood.us/
Driveable Radio Flyer
Yeah, I always wanted to be able to drive the wagon from inside, but I don't think I'd have gone this far...
http://www.geekologie.com/2010/09/truck_turned_into_giant_drivea.php
http://www.geekologie.com/2010/09/truck_turned_into_giant_drivea.php
Amazing Leaf Carvings
Nice work!
http://www.geekologie.com/2010/09/shaming_the_caterpillars_carve.php
http://www.geekologie.com/2010/09/shaming_the_caterpillars_carve.php
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)