Teen Brains Susceptible to Facebook

Teen Brains Susceptible to Facebook

96% of College students use Facebook... when you think about that statistic, it's amazing, but not surprising since this generation is highly energized by technology. "Well-balanced youth often use these sites to further enhance the positive relationships they already have," according to University of Virginia psychologists. But there's a downside for others...

Teens who have behavioral problems and difficulty making friends, or who are depressed, may be more inclined to use social media in negative and sometimes aggressive ways, or not to use such sites at all.

Teens are spending a lot of time hooked up and average of 6 hours a day, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Parents, researchers and educators are trying to figure out what all these hours plugged in are doing to their brains.

The teenage brain is an unfinished product," explains David Walsh, psychologist and author of Why Do They Act that Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen In the teenage years, says Walsh, one of the major circuits that's developing is the prefrontal cortex. 'The circuits that are under construction during the teen years have to do with impulse control, management of aggression, emotional regulation, self regulation a lot of executive functions of the brain," he says.

It's also the reason teenagers are famous for having to pull all-nighters, not thinking through the consequences of downloading porn onto mom's computer, or piercing their tongues. That's because the prefrontal cortex also handles planning, reasoning and social skills, says Jordan Grafman, who heads the cognitive neuroscience section at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. "It's what makes us human," he says and because it's still developing, "it's very susceptible to trends and changes that happen during the adolescent years."

The amazing infographic below mirrors these findings visually as it reveals Facebook's good and bad impact on high school and college age youth.

Infographic on overall Facebook user stats:


Via: Online Education

Humor - a Lifetime Elixer

"You're a little pill," my hubby exclaimed in exasperation, as he frowned down at our son. Sean, wide-eyed and innocent looked up at his Dad with a smile and quipped "You're an aspirin!"  Sean's quick wit sparks the room any day since it matches the event and rouses a stir.  Do you know people like that?

One of the reasons I enjoy collaborating with Ellen Weber is she draws from natural wit daily.  To see her humorous flashes, check out Dinner Blew Up -- But Not the Deal and you can quickly see how she has ability to laugh at herself, no matter what.  Once when presenting in Puerto Rico, we stayed in a hotel hosting the Miss Universe Pageant.  One morning Ellen was not feeling well so was advised to see the doctor who was on call for contestants.  When Ellen's named was called to see the physician, she tripped on a floodlight wire and fell as she walked to the door. In front of all the contestants waiting there.  She experienced one of the most gregarious belly laughs I have ever witnessed.  Ellen's gifts of wit and banter work well for her as she makes business deals or just engages others as she networks.  If a group we're working with loses steam, Ellen jump-starts the action with a well-timed joke. Ever tried it?

Humor benefits social vitality and personal well-being.  For starters humor:

Enhances workplace culture "More than four decades of study by various researchers confirms some common-sense wisdom: Humor, used skillfully, greases the management wheels. It reduces hostility, deflects criticism, relieves tension, improves morale, and helps communicate difficult messages, Fabio Sala declares in the Harvard Business Review. Sala reminds us that, "the key to the effective use of humor is how it’s deployed. Don’t try to be funny. But do pay closer attention to how you use humor, how others respond to your humor, and the messages you send. It’s all in the telling."

Boosts personal well-being "As you laugh," Ellen Weber shows that "your brain creates enzymes for clear thinking, better learning and adventures brimming over with possibilities in spite of turbulent times."

Bonds people within organizations "Humor can be a cohesive force in organizations--as anyone who's ever traded jokes at the water cooler or laughed over lunch with colleagues understands," Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, concludes. "Instead of disciplining joke-crackers, as Ford did in the last century, organizations should be seeking them out and treating a sense of humor as an asset. It's time to rescue humor from its status as mere entertainment and recognize it for what it is--a sophisticated and peculiarly human form of intelligence that can't be replicated by computers and that is becoming increasingly valuable in a high concept, high-touch world."

Adds snap to presentations Have you noticed how many presenters can bring humor to ice breakers and the beginning of a slideshow only to forget it soon after as all the boring slides drone on? Keep in mind that humor, to be effective must coincide with the barometric pressure of people in the group. If it falls, be ready to bring in the sunshine.

Strengthens family and friendship bonds Just as Sean and Ellen add zip to family occasions, laughing together helps build bonds and strengthen ties. Sharing laughter is powerful since it adds joy, vitality and resilience. Humor is an effective way to heal resentments, disagreements and hurts. It unites people during difficult times. As I spoke about my dear mother at her funeral, I summed up two of her gifts as follows, "Love and laughter overflow."

What's your current humor gauge?

Rate yourself 1 - 4 in the following areas. 1 Low, 2 Fair 3 Average 4 Excellent

____ Ability to laugh at yourself

____ Can tell joke and keep punchline in tact

____ Enjoy a belly laugh daily

____ Refrains from jokes at other's expense

____ Regularly look for humor to share

____ Can turn circumstance into witty statement

____ Easily gets the meaning of a joke


I still have much growth to go... How about you?

Interestingly, the "brain's right hemisphere plays an essential role in understanding and appreciating humor," psychologist Daniel Pink finds from studying neuroscience research. Incongruity often enters into humor. Not too surprisingly, the brain's logical left side does not deal with surprise and incongruity well, Pink adds.

Humor represents one of the highest forms of human intelligence. "Cognitive abilities required for humor comprehension" according to Shammi and Struss's research, "include abstract reasoning, mental flexibility and working memory -- all are complex, higher mental functions believed to be associated with the frontal lobes."

How might you play a bit with humor's sparkle at your Christmas gathering?

Who is your neighbor and why should you care?

How are you interacting in your neighborhood? Recent research shows that when you're active in civic organizations such as churches and civic associations, a spirit of closer association and spirit develops even in poverty areas. Why is that?

People get to know each other and begin to care not only about themselves, but also those living in proximity a mindset for causes to improve their world emerges. When like-minded people create churches, entrepreneurial businesses, faith-based civic engagement and vote, the likelihood of violent crime goes down, whether in poor rural or inner city neighborhoods, according to a recent study.

On Bob Smith's WXXI radio interview with a neighborhood researcher yesterday, the researcher told a story, which revealed he did not know his neighbors well. Because he was conducting a survey, he met a middle-aged woman in his neighborhood who was a medical diagnostician. She had diagnosed her own malignant tumor and as a result was not working for awhile, since she was now under treatment. She had physical needs that were hard to meet alone such as shopping for food.

The researcher matched her up with an older woman in the neighborhood. who had plenty of time on her hands and wanted to make a difference. The older neighbor now came to her home, and gladly helped meet some of the needs she had. The researcher was very fulfilled because he was able to put these two neighbors in touch.  And the story made me think.... you?

Being a good neighbor makes a difference in our growth as a caring leader and as a spiritually strong person in the varying roles we find ourselves in a given day.

You might be interested to know that these were identified as intelligences by Howard Gardner of Harvard University. When activated in your brain, they can be identified through MRI's. Interpersonal or social intelligence means that you interact and communicate and exchange ideas easily with others. For many it is very natural from a young age. Today much of these is with family and friends only. What if you also took time to introduce yourself to a neighbor you don't know well and invite that person [or family] to a picnic this spring?

On the other hand, the Intrapersonal intelligence is your sense of who you are - your emotions, spiritually, self-worth, ethics, values, confidence and caring for others are part of this intelligence. In many ways this part of your brain is the hub for choices, actions, and is the essence of your personality that others see daily. Interestingly, the more you stretch yourself through new actions, the stronger you become in each. Each time we act on something, more neurons for that action are created in specific regions of the brain. 

Building both a strong interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence is key to creating the kind of world around us that is rich in spirit.

Who is our neighbor and why should we care?

Tap Social Media to Spread Happiness

Every now and then other bloggers ask you to be part of bigger post with many contributors. In connecting with other bloggers, you move into a bigger social network... Interestingly, once you visit other blogs you begin to know the author through conversations on their ideas, and often you make friends with these folks. What an intriguing new aspect of interpersonal intelligence!

These friendships can help boost your happiness, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard and University of California. "Everyday interactions we have with other people are definitely contagious, in terms of happiness," says Nicholas Christakis, an author of this study.

Perhaps more surprising, Christakis says, is that the effect extends beyond the people we come into contact with. When one person becomes happy, the social network effect can spread up to 3 degrees — reaching friends of friends.

"We find that people at the center of the social network tend to be happier," says co-author James Fowler, a political science professor at U.C. San Diego.

Imagine a birds-eye view of a party: "You may see some people in quiet corners talking one-on-one," Fowler says. Others would be at the center of the room having conversations with lots of people. According to the study findings, those in the center would be among the happiest.

"We think the reason why is because those in the center are more susceptible to the waves of happiness that spread throughout the network," Fowler explains.

One way we get to know people behind blogs is to contribute to a larger meme in which you reveal facts about yourself. So when Anita Bruzzese tagged me to share seven interesting facts about me I decided to contribute...

7 Interesting Random Facts About Robyn McMaster

1. Appreciate the depth of John Milton's poetry. Today's his 400th birthday... Here's a quote you'd enjoy... "The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven."

2. Live in an old Stagecoach Inn, which was part of a century farm - a farm owned by a family for three generations of one family. Eli Griffith built it in 1836. Love it since my hubby and I own 146 acres!

3. Take pleasure in exploring the woods with my grandsons. We discovered a huge hollow tree together, the kind from which fables and fantasies derive.

4. Took pity on Ginger, a stray cat that wended her way to our home. After my son's family adopted a litter, which she presented unexpectedly, we had her spayed. She runs to meet me when I drive into the yard. Ginger's an unexpected melody.

5. Enjoy using puppets for creative exchanges with my grandsons. Just one of many activities to stimulate their minds...

6. Doubted Ellen Weber's words, "Robyn, you're brilliant." Because her words caused me to question what I was doing, eventually I followed a call to use God-given talents that lay unused. Must admit, I still doubt that description, but am curious, adventurous and open to keep learning.

7. Play golf with relish. In the last three years, Ellen Weber and I, as part of a foursome brought home first place trophies in Rotary tournaments. Now that snow's outside, I consider new courses to explore next year.

What about you? Want to join in this fascinating social exchange? I'm tagging

Big Man Walking

Amy Palko

Isadore Biffin

Ulla Henning

R.J. Leaman

Giovanna Garcia

Eva Ulian

Anyone who wants to be part of this list is welcome to join.

Here's what to do...

• Link to your original tagger, and list these rules on your blog.

• Share seven facts about yourself in the post - some random, some weird.

• Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.

• Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or Twitter.

I see this meme as a great way to prime your intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligences to spread good will to bloggers you met recently.

Kickstart Cellphone Smarts!

Three ladies at Applebees sat a few feet from our table. My hubby and I looked over our menu as the three of them chatted in the background. Moments later one of the ladies pulled out her cell phone and started to talk though the other two ladies sat across from her. She completely ignored them. The woman's highly pitched voice quickly raised two or three decibels as her "angry" conversation drowned ability to hear my hubby. Ever experience this?

Do rude cell phone users annoy you daily? Unfortunately that happens more than I like. For instance, last night I went to a presentation by Jean-Claude Brizard, titled "Building a Community of Excellence." Brizard talked of his vision to eliminate dropouts in the Rochester city school system and revitalize education here. Amazingly, a gentleman sitting behind us must have thought himself more important than Dr. Brizard. His cell phone went off during the talk. I watched him put his phone to his ear and wondered if he would talk. Why do many cell phone users seem oblivious to other people right around them?

Might this rudeness connect to lack of focus? self-importance? a deficit in manners? lack of civility? unawareness? Could be one or all depending on the case...

Great news is that peoples' brains can be rebooted to strengthen interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences. These two of the eight multiple intelligences, named and researched by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University, can be seen in distinct regions of the brain through MRI's.

Here's a descriptor of these two intelligences...

Interpersonal [Social] Intelligence - includes the capacity to discern and respond appropriately to the moods, temperaments, motivations, and desires of other people.

Intrapersonal Intelligence - includes accurate self-knowledge, access to one's feelings and the ability to discriminate among them to direct behavior. Weber, E. (2005) MI Strategies in the Classroom and Beyond. Pearson Publishers.

Try rebooting with these strategies...

Teach teens good manners. We learn as we teach and we also retain more by teaching others. What if we taught our teens good phone manners by explaining how it can be done? We'd certainly learn that we needed to be courteous about how loudly we speak and to activate our buzzer in a public building with many people there. Then model it.

Reflect to adjust and change. Ask yourself questions related to your surroundings so that you know how you affect others. By doing so, this will lead you to build within yourself the capacity to show courtesy, kindness, and self control.

Additionally, humorous ads from cell phone companies would help kickstart people's smarts connected to ways they use cell phones in public places.

What positive strategies come to your mind to turn around cell phone abuse?

This blog's a contribution to help introduce Dr. Mike O’Malley's newly published book called Cell Hell - 55 Cell Phone Users You’d Like to Silence.. Brad Shorr's running a contest in which you could win $500.00, if you'd like to enter.

What I Learned from a Government Deportation Notice

Now is the hour, when we must say goodbye.
Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea.
While you're away, oh, then, remember me.
When you return, you'll find me waiting here. Maori Song

One winter day, a plain white envelope, with a return address, "U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service service, appeared in my parent's post office box. When my mother's eyes took in that address, anxiety must have gripped like a fever reaching the boiling point. The Department of Justice sent notice to my mother informing her that Robyn Josephine Ottley resided illegally in the United States of America because she does not have a "valid immigration visa."

Mother gave up everything to come to the United States to marry my step-father [Dad], but she brought me along with her. Truly a dilemma when the notice arrived! But, in time, help arrived... not in the form of Superman, but rather a caring congressman from our district.

James W. Wadsworth,Jr., acted more as a "servant" of his constituents. Wadsworth's keen abilities enabled me to stay in the U.S. as an "alien," rather than to find myself on the next ship to Sydney, Australia.

Congressional Representatives can act as servants of their constituents when they go out of their way to help, as James Wadsworth did. Thankfully, there are women and men in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives who do work on behalf of constituents' individual needs in tangible ways.

To change the laws for immigrants with children, Wadsworth shone through two of his strong intelligences - intrapersonal and interpersonal:

Intrapersonal He had a high level of empathy. Researcher Lidewij Niezink contends that "altruism is a choice." Clearly Wadswoth cultivated altruism and once he knew the plight of our family, he took action and tapped into his power of office.

Interpersonal He showed a high level of interpersonal skills. He had built these as a New York State Senator when he fought to oppose prohibition. He made 131 speeches across the United States which aided in repeal. As he worked to assist my parents, he built on his skills for political acumen and contacts in congress. High social smarts made the difference!

From this experience I've learned that our congressional representatives can be there for us and touch our lives in very significant ways. My mother and I could live together freely in the U.S. And, Now is the hour was a happy memory of times together, rather than pangs of separation.

God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm. William Cowper

If you're inspired to share something you've Learned from Government, you might want to participate in Robert Hruzek's November challenge.

Don't fear the pauses!

Are you familiar with the term, "pregnant pause"... a pause long enough to make you nervous when you're speaking to a group? When you introduce novel strategies or new information, unearthly silence can follow a thoughtful question you ask. What you do with a pause can make or break a presentation.

Treat silence as your ally... it provides a window of time for people to tap into their brains and play more of a role... bring ideas to the table. If you're anxious and just move on to the next point in your outline, you miss an opportunity.

Begin with a thoughtful two-footed question... a more thoughtful question on your topic that seeks people's experiences and knowledge connecting to it. Now wait... even when it seems like an eternity.

Here're six brain-based reasons why...

An individual may have...

- developed a process in the basal ganglia to sort out best ideas before speaking.

- been diminished for ideas expressed in public. The person no longer risks saying anything.

- built stronger intrapersonal intelligence skills. Such an individual is prone to reflect first.

- lacked interest in your topic and is bored or unmotivated by the presentation.

- cultivated a competitive spirit, which has been rewarded in past by listening to others' ideas first before sharing his or her wisdom.

- lacked verbalizing skills and not have confidence to share ideas.

As I've had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Ellen Weber in MITA sessions, I've watched her amazing acumen to pace. She has the fortitude to wait out the silence... more voice comes to life... and when participants begin to share wisdom, it takes a session to the top...

Ellen says, "Remember it's not what you say at a presentation that people remember... it's what they say!"

Innovation and invention can activate when you step into your confidence and pause...

Thoughts?

Recognizing Friends - My Social Media Heroes

One of my heroes in successful blogging, Liz Strauss, named me as her social media hero along with two others in a recent article... Liz quoted from Time Magazine (2006) to say, we're "just getting started, as millions of minds that would otherwise have drowned in obscurity get backhauled into the global intellectual economy.”

Wow - that was out of the blue and unexpected! I'm glowing and humbled simultaneously. But I couldn't leave it there... When Liz asked who we'd suggust as two of our social media heroes, I found it impossible to narrow that to just two. So...

All folks who take part in the wonderful discussions here on Brain Based Biz are my heroes! Social networking helps build new friendships and alliances.

Friends' comments make a difference... They provide fresh ideas, stir another perspective or an insight based on personal experience... a fresh new way to build interpersonal intelligence.

Here's appreciation for friends at Brain Based Biz, my heroes, who noodle ideas and take time to comment...

Jeanne Dininni at Writers Notes 23

Brad Shorr at Word Sell 16

Karen Swim at Words for Hire 14

Joanna Young at Confident Writing 12

Axe City at Design Interval 10

Geology Joe at SlingShot Thought 8

Anna at My Only Photo 7

Ellen Weber at Brain Leaders and Learners 6

Alina Popescu at Words of a Broken Mirror 6

Chris Morgan at Learn2Develop 5

JD Walton at Black in Business 5

Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings 5

Yvonne Russell at Grow Your Writing Business 5

GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say? 4

Amy Jessel at Shaping Youth 3

Craig at Better Projects 3

Drew McLellan at Drew's Marketing Minute 3

Lisa Gates at 360 Alliance 3

Bob Brucker at Ahern & Brucker Fine Jewelry 2

Jeffrey Carruthers at Strike a Chord 2

Mel Kaye at Monday Morning Power 2

Robin at Survive the Journey 2

Scott McArthur at McArthur's Rant 2

Steve Roesler at All Things Workplace 2

Anna Famery at The Engaging Brand 1

Benjamin at RedCatCo 1

Beth Robinson at Inventing Elephants 1

Billah at Blog e Billah 1

Cam Beck at Chaos Scenario 1

Dana Suazo at Business Growth Blog 1

Dennis at Retail Smart 1

Eric Peterson at Leadership and Other Ramblings

Gavin Heaton at Servant of Chaos 1

Isadore Biffin at Article Thirty-Nine: Concert 1

Jeremy at Campus Ministry for Dummies 1

Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth 1

Karen Putz at A Deaf Mom Shares Her World 1

Laura Hecht at Laura 4 Literacy 1

LillieAmmann at A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye 1

Liz Strauss at Successful and Outstanding Bloggers 1

Mark David Gerson at The Voice of Your Muse 1

Mike Wagner at Own Your Brand 1 Welcome back, Mike!

Mrs. Durff at Mrs. Durff's Blog 1

Shama at After the Launch 1

Tinu at Increase Your Website Traffic 1

I say "Thank you for the music"... the songs I'm singing...

Thanks for all the joy they're bringing...

Who can live without it... I ask in all honesty...

Without a song or dance what would life be?

So I say, "Thank you for the music"... for giving it to me..."

Excerpt from "Thank You for the Music" by Abba...

Who are your social media heroes? To name just two who would they be?

Blogger Insights that Grab Your Brain!

The brain is designed to grab what input it can and then boil it up into a froth of understanding. John McCrone

Have you found ideas lately that lift you up like helium balloons sail to the heights? If so, you're likely an active participant in social media networks. That's where you'll find blogger insights that grab your brain.

Joanna Young reminded me that inspiring words connect us together. In that light, I chose the quote above. I dedicate the quote above to several friends in the blogosphere who provide insights to ponder...

Drew McLellan points out that The Women on the Web, friends "who have incredible influence in many different fields" describe their blog as a "conversation on the internet." Drew adds, "I call it a blog. But....in very short order, we're going to call it a force. Their question of the day for yesterday was....which 4 women would you like to see on Mt. Rushmore. 70+ comments." Obviously the women pushed Drew's thinking by asking great questions.

In a very powerful blog this morning, Liz shared that she was "stuck in weeds." In a short poem she describes this state of mind...

The sun when it shined hurt my eyes.
Folks weren’t responding — gee I wonder why?
I wanted someone to fix me.

It wasn’t the universe that was wrong — it was ME.

She notes that once she got out of the weeds she could see it had been raining wildflowers.

Heroes and angels were all around me — clients, sponsors, family, friends, folks who hardly knew me were suggesting how to lighten my load — They weren’t asking anything in return.

Do you see what blogging conversations can do! Be sure to sign up for SOBCon08, where you can enlarge your conversation person to person.

Ellen Weber shares why conversations go further and we learn more from each other when we encourage rather than vent or be critical...

Communication connects to most aspects of work when you think about it. It shapes:

1. Time when people rewire time management and share solutions.
2. Collaboration when team members inspire difficult people.
3. Innovation when people invent and suggest a better way.
4. Visionary when people see past the problem and show possibilities.
5. Mood when people use serotonin words and avoid cortisol barbs.

Chis Brown concludes Word of Mouth is Best Marketing:

Beyond all the fancy marketing techniques of SEO and Web2.0, all the competitive analysis and regression plotting — isn’t the best marketing of all when a friend tells you to try something because they liked it and thought you might too?

Gavin Heaton not only generates great conversations on the web that tickle my dendrites, he and Drew McLellan extended an opportunity for other bloggers to write a piece for a book, The Age of Conversation, to be sold on Amazon this second edition. The book will be chock full of amazing insights from bloggerss around the world.

Joanna chose a very meaningful quote for me and other bloggers she values highly:

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another"

Liz, Drew, Chris, Ellen, Gavin, you too, can find a great quote and begin to "boil up a froth of new understanding" with at least three other bloggers you value.

People who shine with interpersonal smarts, not only give out to others, but reap the reward of deeper understanding and build new friendships as they do.

May you all have a blessed Easter!

Give a Lift to EduBloggers in the F-meme!

Learning makes a difference - whether we're in business, health and medicine, education or anywhere. Angela Meyers decided to begin an F-list to highlight education bloggers. Angela noticed that few educators link out, extending the conversation. So by linking to EduBloggers, bloggers can bolster good ideas educators share in blogs. "The intent is to recognize the unsung blogger and model the power that linking to one another can bring," Angela says.

By giving to others, we actually build more dendrite brain cells in two of our own multiple intelligences. You see, our brain has great plasticity and the more we actively do something, like giving, the more dendrites we build for that activity.

Here's more about the two intelligences you'll strengthen:

Interpersonal Intelligence - This is our social intelligence and researchers have located a specific area in your brain which activates and can be observed using MRI's. In fact, the New York State Standards for Education, list the social standard as one of the most highly important indicators of learning. When you process an idea and can discuss it, relate it to your experience, and ask and answer questions on it with a group, shows that you have learned a concept well. Interpersonal intelligence works well for students who may have difficulty in reading but are more highly gifted in processing ideas as they communicate with others. When we as bloggers, exchange ideas and information with others in many different fields, we build more dendrite brain cells.

Intrapersonal Intelligence - Deep emotional, spiritual and mental well-being resides in this intelligence. In fact, when we give more of ourselves rather than grasping more for ourselves we build many dendrite brain cells for intrapersonal intelligence. In addition, every time you do something positive for others, you release serotonin in your brain, a brain chemical of well-being. I'm hoping to rewire for more dendrites in this intelligence than ever this year... Want to target that along with me?

Incidently, Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University, originator of multiple intelligences, names Dr. Ellen Weber's work with the MITA learning and assessment model in his book, Intelligence Reframed.

Angela has listed the following bloggers on the F-list for educators:

Are We Doing Anything Today?
Timely Teacher Talk
Three Standard Deviations to the Left
Eide Neurolearning Blog
Speaking of History

I'm naming:

Mindset Matters: Leading and Teaching with Smart and Heart
The Principal's Office
Curious Cat: Science and Engineering Blog

Here are instructions to add to Angela Meirs' F-List:

"What YOU can do is simply create a new post on your blog, but CUT AND PASTE the list above, and then ADD any blogs you feel aren't getting their due either. It can be one blog, or a hundred (or none if you simply want to repost the same list), but the idea is, find those great blogs that, for whatever reason, you feel aren't getting their due, link-wise.

Then after you leave your post, the next blogger will do the same thing, cut and paste YOUR list, and add THEIR blogs to the list, then repost it. Add the same instructions in your post that the next blogger should cut and paste YOUR list, and add any blogs they feel should be on it to THEIR list. The list will get increasingly long, and all the blogs will get a sort of reverse 'pyramid-affect' of link-love."

Join me and step up to Angela's challenge... Who would you like to add?

Castles of the Mind

The pleasure in working with folks around the world stems from amazing conversations that give you new perspectives and new ideas. I'm working in Ireland right now so you might miss regular blogs for the next few days.

As I see it Ireland is a land that builds much on its wonderful tradition, but is also progressive and people have great synergy.

What a great opportunity to explore the castles of the mind!

Marc Rapp's Philosophical Approach on Braincramp

Marc Rapp, author of Uniquely the Epitome, has a very different take on braincramp and quite frankly, unconventional approaches bring change. So let's consider Marc's ideas and see what you think. Marc says, "As endearing a term as 'braincramp' is, I can't help but feel it's actually a result of a braincramp." Here's Mark's thinking on braincramp...

Here we have a concept (combining two or more ideas that where previously considered unrelated) derived from the exact process it's working to resolve.

The act of identifying, acknowledging, and personifying and then later, perpetuating is in-fact, the result of a braincramp.

The concept of braincramps, is a direct result of creative thinking. Which, in my mind ( basal ganglia ) is the brain naturally resolving a proposed problem. The problem being, not being able to think creatively.

So, one get's creative to solve it.

Is it me, or is this redundant and really only disproves itself?

Marc, you've asked a philosophical question and questions lead us to gather wisdom to fill in the puzzle pieces. Your unique thoughts are yet another piece to visualize the whole.

You tapped your intrapersonal intelligence, Marc, to share your personal perspective. Intrapersonal intelligence is that part of our brain in which we develop responses to our life questions. Marc, I sense you have thought deeply and developed a personal philosophy on the creative process since you're an artist. I'm glad you stopped by and shared just a few of your thoughts...

Intrapersonal intelligence allows us to take conundrums and sort them out as we reflect, grow, and change. Ellen Weber recently remarked, "Neglect ongoing intrapersonal visions for growth and we perish in the wake of fast moving ideas that pass us by." My ideas are not always enough. I need to consider what you and others say. Here's what I mean...

The reason I brought this question to others is rooted in Interpersonal intelligence. That is, I wanted to engage others' ideas, entertain different perspectives and discuss the methods and strategies that are brought to the table by folks in community. This keeps me from having tunnel vision.

I've seen so much intelligence brought to the table already, and I'm hoping to hear from others in the community about how you overcome braincramp.

Mark's portrait from Flickr