Where does the "mistaken belief" that "humans use only a small percentage of their brain" have as its origins?
Dennis
Dennis Mazur
Denis, true faith is not wrong. Let me begin the answer to your question with an analogy from human life about the maximum use of the functional capabilities of the brain every moment. All processes in the body are volatile. That is, they need a lot of energy substrates. Hence, to ensure the continued operation of all neural networks of the brain, the stress of all other functional systems of the brain (respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, thermoregulatory ...) is necessary. That is, the living organism will constantly function at the limit of possibilities. Do you think that such activity is better for a healthy life of a person? Or a person will have a disruption of the brain (necessary treatment in a special clinic) or disruption of vital functions (death). So, nature has chosen a rational way of brain functioning, in which the activity of certain neural networks is activated in a coordinated and adequate way.
Denis, true faith is not wrong. Let me begin the answer to your question with an analogy from human life about the maximum use of the functional capabilities of the brain every moment. All processes in the body are volatile. That is, they need a lot of energy substrates. Hence, to ensure the continued operation of all neural networks of the brain, the stress of all other functional systems of the brain (respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, thermoregulatory ...) is necessary. That is, the living organism will constantly function at the limit of possibilities. Do you think that such activity is better for a healthy life of a person? Or a person will have a disruption of the brain (necessary treatment in a special clinic) or disruption of vital functions (death). So, nature has chosen a rational way of brain functioning, in which the activity of certain neural networks is activated in a coordinated and adequate way.
I suspect that the original quote may have initially well-intensioned, aimed at discrediting another set of mistaken beliefs, e.g.,
1. "I'm old now, I can't learn anything new."
2. "My brain is already crammed full of useless nonsense; I can't squeeze anything else in there."
From a different perspective, there may be a failure to distinguish between:
--use at a time (I am only using a certain percentage of my conscious brain, say 20%, now, e.g., but in an emergency, I have an additional 80% to kick in).
--"capacity over time" or "brain potentiality" (I don't have time to think it through now, but I'll let my brain work on it, and I will come back to the problem after a good night's sleep/rest).
Dennis
Dennis Mazur
Interesting question Dr. Dennis! I appreciate the excellent answer of Prof. Vladimir. Indeed, the chain of activities in our neural system and its coordination is key to the entire body system's functioning. Granted, our working with a small fraction of our brain's capacity should not draw us back into thinking we can't explore its potentials to the fullest. I think it is just to help us appreciate the marvel of our intelligent human machinery!
I think that this idea had a basis in esoteric beliefs that once flourished indicating a transcendental side to the human brain, one that lead to mind-reading, transportation and levitation. A kind of natural magic!
It is PR for fake methods for mind expanding (whatever this means). You can earn a lot of money with such senseless methods.
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