Whole-Mindedness

My brother Andrew has convinced me to begin a blog. Of course I had heard of them and from time to time browsed over them on-line, but to actually contribute to one sounded like too much time and effort. It turns out they are easy to maintain and may be sort of fun. The question for me to answer then became, why bother? I came up with a number of reasons:

1. I recently read an awesome book by author Dan Pink. The book titled A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future, discusses the qualities of right-brainers (of which I consider myself one) and how different activities contribute to creativity. Blogs weren’t mentioned specifically, but I think they count.

2. I just turned 30 and my own kids are starting to overtake me on the techno-ability front.

3. It’s 2007 and I feel like I’m stuck in 2002.

4. I’ve always liked the idea of journals/diaries and the exhibitionist in me liked to leave them open on the coffee table for all to see. Now, metaphorically, I’m doing the same thing.

5. I like the idea of interconnectedness on the web. Besides every guy and his donkey has a myspace page, isn’t it about time I got connected.

 Anyway, with reasons like that floating around in my grey matter, I decided it was time.

I’ve discussed many times with friends John and Lynnette the idea that men’s and women’s brains are wired differently. Most of us know that the brain is divided into hemispheres, the left responsible for more logical-mathematical ideas like organization, science, math, linear thinking, language development, etc. The right half of the brain takes on tasks like empathy, creativity and artistic ability among other things. Connecting the two hemispheres is a structure called the corpus callosum. Basically this is a network of nerves that fires messages from one hemisphere to the other. (A greater discussion of the corpus callosum can be found here). Some studies have shown that women have a much bigger and more ‘effective’ connection between the two hemispheres, while the structure in men is smaller and much less effective. One scientist compared the women’s connection to an eight lane free way, and the men’s to a gravel road. This would explain why I’m so terrible at multi-tasking, and my wife can fold laundry, talk on the phone, watch TV, discipline the kids and think about supper all at the same time. I have trouble chewing gum and walking. Step, chew, step, chew…

Anyways, all that is about to change. I’ve been watching how women can multi-task all my life, and it is time I got better. If that means doing more at once, well I better get started. First I’ve got to find a dark quiet room so I can finish off this piece of gum.

I would love your feedback. Keep in mind I’m in the rudimentary stages of keeping a cool blog, but tell me what you think. If you have any suggestions of how YOU stay mentally sharp, drop me a line. Please, don’t suggest folding the laundry.

~ by aggrodude on February 21, 2007.