Braingle's Mentalrobics

Memory : Read Something New

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:01 GMT

The human mind thrives on novelty. Without new experiences our brains get bored and lazy. One way to introduce novelty into your life is to read something that isn't your normal fare. Pick up a magazine that you have never read, or look through a section of the newspaper that you normally skip. Go to a library and pick a random book from a random shelf.

This is a great way to learn new and interesting things. You never know when you might discover a new interest or learn something that relates to something that you are currently working on.

Vocabulary : Word of the Day : Detumescence

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:01 GMT

de-tu-mes-cence

noun :: Diminishing or lessening of swelling.

"The patient had less pain after the detumescence of his wound."

Creativity : Noticing the Unnoticed

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Our minds are constantly filtering and processing data so that you don't have to pay attention to everything. Your consciousness is only presented with the most relevant data that you need to make decisions. Small details are often ignored. For example, do you know which color is on the top of a traffic light? Or which direction Lincoln is facing on the penny?

Whenever you have a free moment, look around and try to notice something that you don't normally see. Study all the minute details about an object and recognize that it was made that way for a reason. What is that reason?

Sometimes art students are instructed to look at the world upside-down by bending over and looking between their legs. This different orientation often allows you to see things that you normally wouldn't see. Try it. You may also try getting really low to the ground and see what the world looks like from an ant's perspective.