If Only I Used More Of My Brain

     While out in Denver, my friends and I went to see the movie Lucy. Don't worry, I won't give you any spoilers. The big question my friends and I discussed after the movie was, "What would it be like if we used a larger percentage of our brains?"

     I continued to think about this thought once I got back home. While there are certainly theories about the potential for human psychokinesis and telepathy, I find the more down to earth possibilities more intriguing. As I was thinking about this question I was driving down one of our neighborhood roads that is often a speed trap. I was going just a bit over the speed limit, so slowed down just in case.

     Another thought occurred to me. What if I had been pulled over for speeding just then - wouldn't it be ironical?
     I pondered what I would say. Here is what I imagined:

     "Hi, officer. I should explain," I would speak before he could say a word.
     "Drivers license and registration, please," he says as if not hearing me.
     "See, officer, as I was driving just now, I was thinking about what would happen if I were suddenly able to use more of my brain. You know, like in the movie Lucy."
     He would peer down at me over his sunglasses and hold his hand out, waiting.
     I would then have to hand him my drivers license and registration.
     He examines them, so I continue.
     "By focusing my attention and concentrating more fully on what I was experiencing, the executive function of my brain would have come into play and provided a “top-down” control—putting a brake on my alpha waves, thus allowing me to see things that I might have missed in a more relaxed state."
     He would look up at me for a split second as if I were crazy.
     "Then, using more of my brain functions, I would have processed the fact that I was speeding and that the police station is just at the other end of this road. Within microseconds of me starting to speed, my brain would have sent lightening speed messages to my foot to ease up just a little and maybe even press on the break since this road is downhill and it is hard to go slow."
     "Wait here," he would say and turn sharply to head back to his police car.
     "That is....if I were able to use more of my brain...Officer."
     I would watch as he walks back to his car, gets in and does God only knows what to make sure I am not a felon, loose from a mental facility or have a list of other speeding offenses that I unsuccessfully couldn't talk my way out of.
     Finally he would open his door, get out and walk back to my car.
     I would then look up at him pleadingly. "And... if I could use more of my brain, I might have thought better of telling you this story and instead would have come up with something like really more persuasive and all."
     Then, he would take his sunglasses off and give me a half smile.
     "Well, I have to admit. This is the best excuse I've heard yet," he would say and hand me my drivers license and registration. "Slow down. I'll give you just a warning. This time."

end scene----

     All of this played out in my tiny little mind as I drove the few remaining blocks home. I almost felt disappointed that I hadn't really been stopped. It was all in my imagination. A dress rehearsal almost.
     Sadly, this was not what I had really wanted to ponder when thinking about using more of my brain. Clearly there must be a vast number of brain cells just waiting to be used more usefully than this sort of mental amusement. But, heck, why waste a good excuse. I might actually use this sometime.

Apologies to Kyle Mathewsom for his marvelous article and quoting his words.

http://beckman.illinois.edu/news/2014/04/brain-waves-improve-vision

Things will be different this time

I resisted writing this blog. In fact, part of me thought that I had written it already. Lately, I have been pondering the fact that of the 60,000 thoughts I think a day (not my estimate, I lost count at 50), 95% of them are statistically believed to be the same thoughts that I had yesterday. Writing about any of these thoughts in a blog can certainly seem pointless, especially when chances are what I thought was a new thought today was really an old thought that I had yesterday.

I wondered if I could identify one or two of my new thoughts that I might have on any given day. So, with little to start with, I just wanted to check to see if I might have written about this idea already.

Before I had a chance to look, another question came to mind. If so many of my thoughts are the same each day, then why is it that the thought that "Things will be different this time" seems to be such a remarkable, fresh and singular thought. When I have this thought, I am so attracted by this thought that for a second I believe it to be my boldest, brightest and best thought I've had all day. Alas, not only do I make the mistake of having this thought, I too often verbalize it and worse, I act upon it.

Tonight we walked Sophie. It was a perfect evening for a walk. A neighbor with a three month old Golden must have had the same thought. We crossed paths and Sophie could hardly be controlled, she so badly wanted to play with this fresh, cuddly little thing. For weeks now, Sophie has been our angel, gliding past most distractions, albeit craning her neck at times when we pass. Tonight, it took David and I together to restrain her. But, we walked the opposite direction and got safely past. We had to make our way past them in order to get back home. The neighbor with said puppy had made very short progress (see previous blogs about challenges with walking a puppy). So, even though we took a circuitous route to further delay or altogether avoid them, we still came upon them on the back side.

Suddenly, I have what I think is my new thought. "Maybe Sophie and new puppy can stop and meet. Wouldn't that be charming." (Translation: It will be different this time.)

Woe. Not, woah, like slow down, although that couldn't have hurt. But, woe is me who thinketh stupid thoughts. With barely a word out of my mouth, Sophie has perceived my slightest hesitation and intention and is now lurching across the quiet intersection to get to this darling furry creature.

Summary of my thoughts.
1. Remembered old thought: "Sophie will never be that kind of dog."
2. Reality: Two minutes ago Sophie couldn't restrain herself. How could she be different when nothing else has changed.
3. My new thought: "When I have that old thought that 'Things will be different this time,' - remember "Who am I kidding! Keep walking."