‘Baby Theresa” was born without brains. She had a hollow head. She was able to live for 10 days. This was the gist of the news item I read. It’s a rare condition called anencephaly. She had a brain stem but no brain or skull. When asked about it, her mother was self-composed and stoically said: “I don’t feel sorry for her. She accomplished a lot in 9 days.”
Many of us are born supposedly with brains and yet live as if we didn’t have any? Don’t you wish some people with brains accomplished as much as that brain-less infant.
Time and again, I keep reading articles about research findings that tell us that we use only a tenth of the total capacity of our mind. Still, we prefer activities that are termed as “no-brainer,” which is a term used to describe something that requires or involves little or no mental effort.
We are predisposed to shun or avoid challenges that require the mind to work. If there’s something that moves us to use our brains, it is mainly to gain instant gratification or do a short cut to the accomplishment of something.
It’s not surprising that we have all kinds of gadgets that require no heavy brain lifting: idiot cameras, automatic washing machines, automatic cars, touch screens, power tools and so on. I still encounter books and videos that go by such titles as “Computer Guide for Dummies,” “Idiot’s Guide to Video Camera Recording,” “House Repair for Dummies,” and similar other brain-friendly blurbs.
There’s now a pejorative slang term TABOGO a portmanteau for three expletives that basically describe someone who doesn’t use his “coconut.” I’m afraid that’s what many of us will end up becoming.
Come to think of it. Do you really use your brain? So how come you are glued to your smart TV or cellphone when you’re at home? How come you hate reading? I know this for a fact, because based on my years as a marketing communications specialist, I have learned the sad truth that people don’t read the text of any ad or promo material, especially if it’s a long text. Even if the details are all spelled out in the ad or poster, people would still call to ask for details which they could have known had they read the material.
My wife and I know at least two senior friends who don’t want to use cellphones. Why? They say they are too old to learn how to use them. They are too lazy to use them is most probably the real reason.
I’m sure you have probably noticed that your social media followers don’t really read what you post there. How many times my wife would just shake her head in dismay when she receives messages wishing her a happy birthday even when it’s not her birthday simply because she sent birthday greetings to a friend? Try posting up a message with more than three sentences. How many would bother to read it beyond the first or two lines?
By the way, I heard that sales of books have been on a steady decline for years now.
That’s because reading along with having to learn a new skill exerts too much effort on the brain. Too taxing for the mental muscles.
No wonder, our supposedly educated children are not articulate. They can’t even compose or construct a straight sentence. They have not acquired reading skills in spite of having passed the primary and secondary grades. Reading is what promotes brain development and literacy.
But here’s something to wake up your brain. If at your age you have been neglecting your brain, time is not on your side because human mental decline typically begins before 40.
Due to brain neglect, many people around the world suffer from brain sickness in one form or another. In fact brain health is becoming an issue in today’s world.
Scientists estimate that in 15 years, we are going to have millions of people entering retirement with deteriorating brain function, unless we commit resources and effort into the research and maintenance of brain health. We need to address the issue of brain health now or we will see a new generation that will be mentally weak.
What happens if you neglect your brain or if you abuse it? The answer is: unused parts of your brain stop working.
Remember that old movie “Invasion of the body Snatchers” in which aliens took over the bodies of people? Well what we have is an invasion of “brain snatchers” in the form of modern gadgets and conveniences that take over the mind and puts the brain to sleep. We might as well be the walking brain-dead.
Look at what social media have done to manipulate our thinking regarding some candidates running in the next elections. Our brains have been continuously fed with falsehoods, half truths, and fake narratives that have warped and distorted our thinking. Our minds have been so lulled to zombie-like condition that we never bother to think logically or bother to do a little factual digging. Even when we are faced with the objective facts, we prefer to believe our own facts.
What is most worrisome is that from the looks of it, people will not be making intelligent choices in the coming elections. As before, it seems that many will not be using their “coconuts” at the voting booths, lured by easy-to-remember names and even lately by the lure of gold!
The “Brain Snatchers” are apparently doing a good job at it. The ranks of the living brain dead are growing.
Do something about your brain now or you will soon join them. Take steps to keep your brain in shape, no matter what age you are. Challenging the brain with new activities wakes up new areas. Try things you don’t already do: study a new language, learn accounting, have a spelling contest at home. Challenging your brain creates new pathways that appear to become alternate routes when neurons die off in middle and old age.
Just as exercise is good for the body, mental activity is a kind of “flexing” that is good for the brain. Avoid using your calculator. Swap TV for mind games (number or word puzzles) or a book. Play games that involve memory (trivia quiz) or thinking ahead (chess). When you read a paper, consider your own version of the editorial.
Stay mentally sharp through age. Remember, the sharp one gets ahead.