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From: tom@ccfadm.eeg.ccf.org (Thomas F Collura PhD.)
Subject: Re: The Human Brain.
Message-ID: <1995Mar23.233710.20705@bme.ri.ccf.org>
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Date: Thu, 23 Mar 1995 23:37:10 GMT
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.robotics:19184 sci.skeptic:107819

I don't think of the "10%" idea in terms of volume, but in terms
of function, and potential.  We all have two legs, two arms, etc.,
but an athlete may be at "90%" if his/her potential, which can
be measured, while I may be at, say, 50% of my physical potential,
similarly measured.  And it can change with use, disuse, practice,
training, etc.  Plus there is a genetic difference in "native" abilities.

In these terms, it is meaningful to think of us as using 10%,
20%, or whatever percent of our brains.  Certainly some people
use very little of their brain, e.g. they don't use mathematical
reasoning, or they don't use their ability to discern color and
pattern.  Depending on your vocation and avocation, and brain
"fitness," you could be anywhere on various scales.

Or in a larger sense, people as a group might in fact not use
certain abilities at all, because we are not aware of them,
and they are not developed.  Dormant abilities, perhaps.

Well, this is all just food for thought.

  -Tom Collura

Brian Olson (olsonb@LAHS.LosAlamos.K12.nm.us) wrote:
: Although the brain may infact only use 10% of the volume for concious 
: thought, the rest of it IS used for something.  The visual cortex is a 
: couple of golfball sized lumps at the back of the head.  The hypocampus, 
: a big chunk in the middle, has something to do with memory.  Sound, 
: smell, taste and touch also have their little chunks.  So, as nice as it 
: might sound to use 50% of our brains counciously, it would have to be at 
: the expense of other things.  That's if the rearrangement is possible in 
: the first place.

: \ /~~~~~~\       Brian Olson
:  X DARWIN >      olsonb@lahs.losalamos.k12.nm.us
: / \______/
:    L    L


: On 22 Mar 1995, Lawson English wrote:

: > Brian Olson (olsonb@LAHS.LosAlamos.K12.nm.us) wrote:
: > : functionings.  A computer cannot contain a model of itself within RAM.  
: > : It must have the capacity to completely contain a mind, and then a little 
: > : to sit back and contemplate.
: > 
: > 
: > Mmmm... The potential capacity of the brain is unknown, but I'd be 
: > willing to bet taht the 10% myth really isn't all that far off. It seems 
: > perfectly plausible that a more efficient human brain could understand 
: > the less effecient ones...
: > 
: > --
: > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: > Lawson English                            __  __     ____  ___       ___ ____
: > english@primenet.com                     /__)/__) / / / / /_  /\  / /_    /
: >                                         /   / \  / / / / /__ /  \/ /___  /
: > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: > 
: > 
