"The Shallows" continued

[elainegrey]

I'm continuing to listen to The Shallows as i drive home. While chapter 2 seemed mostly reasonable, the way chapter 3 addresses the technology of the map and the clock from such a "progress"-prizing Western frame makes me wonder if i missed similar lack of comprehension in chapter 2. I must admit, Chapter 2 went on about how adult brain plasticity was a surprising fact when finally accepted, as it went against "conventional wisdom," yet the evidence was there over the past century of research. I'm more curious about the history of that idea: why were brain scientists so set in a belief that the adult brain cannot change? (And, obviously, this is a completely Western concept of the brain.

I assume this is a little harder to research than the Western understanding of the mind. A quick search did turn up an interesting hit:

Mandarin Chinese use more of their brains than English speakers to ...
Media office › Press releases › 2003
Jun 26, 2003 – Mandarin Chinese speakers use two sides of their brains to understand language, whereas English speakers use just one, according to new ...


Christine keeps asking why i keep listening. I think i'm feeling good about the mental engagement over the escape i would take listening to speculative fiction on my way home.

Comments

[amaebi]

Back when Eminent Brain Scientists were earnestly telling me that the adult brain can only lose capacity, I could never believe it, because it didn't feel that way.

[elainegrey]

My dad notes the risk of "model-itis," when your metaphor or model replaces the thing itself. I wonder if steam-age engine metaphors were why it seemed obvious that the brain wasn't malleable. Still doesn't seem to fit experience.