So fun! True story, I got WAY into dolphin and orca brains for like a year. This post reconnected me with that old version of me—which I’m sure is what you were going for.
Hey Gunnar! Love the post and specifically the highlight on human brains shrinking. I've wanted to build on this idea too, of writing a sci-fi take. With the capability to offload cognition to our collective intelligence (internet?), we've realized biologically that smaller brains have lower metabolic needs and excess energy can be directed towards anabolism. Then class-warfare erupts between the digitally/neuro-implanted giants versus the indigent, regular humans. Maybe a little too dystopian for my taste. What could go wrong? Thanks for the jolt of inspo!
Thanks, JT. I’d have to take a closer look, but you’re right, there seems to be a correlation between screen time and gray matter atrophy, reduced cortical thickness, and other brain stuff that is probably not good. I wonder to what extent this is driven by what the screens replace. As in, more screen time might mean less reading, less moving, etc.
(Oh, and as a librarian, you’ll like this small study. It’s in pre-teens, but suggests that illustrated books outperform animations in terms of encouraging brain network connectivity: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11682-018-9985-y).
Odd, the link works for me. The 2018 paper's title is 'Differences in functional brain network connectivity during stories presented in audio, illustrated, and animated format in preschool-age children' in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior
So fun! True story, I got WAY into dolphin and orca brains for like a year. This post reconnected me with that old version of me—which I’m sure is what you were going for.
Exactly what I was going for!
Hey Gunnar! Love the post and specifically the highlight on human brains shrinking. I've wanted to build on this idea too, of writing a sci-fi take. With the capability to offload cognition to our collective intelligence (internet?), we've realized biologically that smaller brains have lower metabolic needs and excess energy can be directed towards anabolism. Then class-warfare erupts between the digitally/neuro-implanted giants versus the indigent, regular humans. Maybe a little too dystopian for my taste. What could go wrong? Thanks for the jolt of inspo!
Thanks, Ben. What a great idea. Go write that story!
Rawr! Collab? :) Gotta write through some other stuff first but appreciate the kick in the pants!
"Gotta write through some other stuff first "
Same.
Possible topic: How damaged brains sometimes rewire themselves to restore function. (So I have heard.) Suggesting for a friend.
That’s a great idea! I’ll have to look into that. Thanks, David.
(The Livewired book would actually be a good starting point.)
Fascinating, thank you.
Thanks, John!
Thanks, JT. I’d have to take a closer look, but you’re right, there seems to be a correlation between screen time and gray matter atrophy, reduced cortical thickness, and other brain stuff that is probably not good. I wonder to what extent this is driven by what the screens replace. As in, more screen time might mean less reading, less moving, etc.
(Oh, and as a librarian, you’ll like this small study. It’s in pre-teens, but suggests that illustrated books outperform animations in terms of encouraging brain network connectivity: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11682-018-9985-y).
Odd, the link works for me. The 2018 paper's title is 'Differences in functional brain network connectivity during stories presented in audio, illustrated, and animated format in preschool-age children' in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior