Posted on 11/21/2003 1:53:52 PM PST by freedom44
Think positively or you could end up with a brain the size of a pea - that's the stark warning from scientists at Montreal's McGill University.
Dr Sonia Lupien has spent 15 years scanning the brains of OAPs and discovered that old timers with low self esteem were more likely to suffer from brain shrink and memory loss, the BBC reports.
Incredibly, those who didn't love themselves as much as they should have lost up to one fifth of their grey matter as a result. Unsurprisingly, they were also a few sandwiches short in the memory and learning departments.
Thankfully, Dr Lupien reckons there is hope, noting: "This atrophy of the brain that we thought was irreversible is reversible - some data on animals and some data on humans shows that that if you enrich the environment if you change some factors this brain structure can come back to normal levels."
Which is where Korean outfit DreamFree comes in. The company has developed the "Personal electroencephalogram", or Peeg - a PDA peripheral which is said to tickle your brain and stimulate positive brain waves.
It's basically a pair of specs with flashing lights plus headphones driven by a Microsoft Pocket PC application. Fire it up and you're subjected to a electronic son-et-lumière show which can alter brain wave frequency with beneficial results.
One ZDnet reporter found it "a bit like taking a nap while listening to a Kraftwerk album", although we at El Reg can't say we're overly familiar with this concept.
Mind you, since the Peeg sells for $300, perhaps those seeking to reverse brain atrophy caused by years of negative thinking would be better off simply crashing into their chair to the strains of electronic Europop, rather than shelling out hard cash. It probably won't work, but then you'll still have $300 to go and get drunk - the only tried and trusted method which instantly increases self-confidence and mental agility. ®
-ccm
Stop thinking like that!
I recently read an interesting study on that. The less competent you are, the less aware you are of your true competency level. Actually, I think that the study said less competent people greatly overestimate their competence, while more competent people tend to underestimate themselves. So if you are a dumbass, chances are you have no idea. Think about it.
Yeah, and children with bigger feet have larger vocabularies, and can spell better. (psst...kids' feet grow as they get older). Thanks to John Allen Paulos (popular math writer, of such books as "Innumeracy" and "A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper") for this example.
I'd rather NOT think about that thank you.
Legends in their own minds
I was always told if you hang around with successful people you would be successful yourself the theory is the same here as well but the successful people have to like you first ! I found out later in life that i am successful and the people i used to think were are'nt as smart as they exuded to be they happened to be in the right place at the right time their success was dependant upon timing not inteligence its a shame to because some of them were very smart but did'nt know how to apply their particular type of genious now they shlupf through life whining how they used to be on top.
I go through life knowing i got there on my own and as long as i want i'll stay there
Am i hot stuff ? NOPE just obeservant of others mistakes ! and willing to correct such changes as not to make those mistakes others have made !
That explains the victim mentality of The Left...
At a store, my wife was showing me some doll that you press the palm, and it says "I love you!" and "you're the best!" and so on. That was a lot cheaper than $300.
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