Comments on: Brain Evolution and Why it is Meaningful Today to Improve Our Brain Health http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/ Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health news Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:58:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Libby http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-247950 Libby Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:12:43 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-247950 Dr. McLeary's article is interesting. To me, however, his argument on evolution is rather unclear. I understand that to accomodate our brain's capacity - a rather expensive machinery - we need the good nutrients as much as challenging mental stimulation. Of what value is that argument in evolutionary sense? Where is Dr. McLeary heading with his evolution argument? Evolution is 'purpose-less', i.e. that the organism does not aim to be bigger or more beautiful etc. by manipulating its environment. An organism evolved to be a "better" organism to accommodate the changing environment. The design mechanism for it, actually, happens by chance. More precisely, an organism of the past produces X-number of offsprings. Some of those offsprings, by chance, were born with genetic mutations. The mutations, in turns, serves those offsprings better in the changing environment. And thence, they 'survive' and able to reproduce more offsprings with same genetic make-ups. Reproduce this scenes millions of years, what we get is us. Now, our modern brain is complicated by yet another evolutionary process, the culture. Here lies another story of the survival of ideas, e.g. maintaining mental fitness. So, given such intricacies in evolutionary perspective, it would help if Dr. McLeary first clarify what or which evolution he's really talking about, and of what context, i.e. our history or the possible future evolved human brain. Richard Dawkin's book, "The Selfish Genes," would be a great background reading to writing up such article... Dr. McLeary’s article is interesting. To me, however, his argument on evolution is rather unclear. I understand that to accomodate our brain’s capacity – a rather expensive machinery – we need the good nutrients as much as challenging mental stimulation. Of what value is that argument in evolutionary sense? Where is Dr. McLeary heading with his evolution argument? Evolution is ‘purpose-less’, i.e. that the organism does not aim to be bigger or more beautiful etc. by manipulating its environment. An organism evolved to be a “better” organism to accommodate the changing environment. The design mechanism for it, actually, happens by chance. More precisely, an organism of the past produces X-number of offsprings. Some of those offsprings, by chance, were born with genetic mutations. The mutations, in turns, serves those offsprings better in the changing environment. And thence, they ’survive’ and able to reproduce more offsprings with same genetic make-ups. Reproduce this scenes millions of years, what we get is us. Now, our modern brain is complicated by yet another evolutionary process, the culture. Here lies another story of the survival of ideas, e.g. maintaining mental fitness. So, given such intricacies in evolutionary perspective, it would help if Dr. McLeary first clarify what or which evolution he’s really talking about, and of what context, i.e. our history or the possible future evolved human brain. Richard Dawkin’s book, “The Selfish Genes,” would be a great background reading to writing up such article…

]]> By: anonymous http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-175243 anonymous Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:39:40 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-175243 I bet this book mentions nothing about how the brain can overcome surgical lacerations. I would curious as to what Dr. Larry McLeary would have to say about that. I bet this book mentions nothing about how the brain can overcome surgical lacerations. I would curious as to what Dr. Larry McLeary would have to say about that.

]]> By: Jon http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-128887 Jon Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:49:29 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-128887 Kristal, it is standard procedure that you contact the book publisher to ask for permission for whatever you have in mind. Kristal, it is standard procedure that you contact the book publisher to ask for permission for whatever you have in mind.

]]> By: Kristal http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-128273 Kristal Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:06:00 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-128273 I am wondering if I may photocopy the simple math exercises found in the book with my clients? I am wondering if I may photocopy the simple math exercises found in the book with my clients?

]]> By: Jean-Baptiste http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-122812 Jean-Baptiste Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:05:17 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-122812 Alvaro, Nice selection. I really enjoyed reading Dr. McCleary's article. As an editor for The Issue, a blog newspaper, I've featured it today. You can find a brief excerpt and a link back at www.TheIssue.com. Cheers. Alvaro,
Nice selection. I really enjoyed reading Dr. McCleary’s article. As an editor for The Issue, a blog newspaper, I’ve featured it today. You can find a brief excerpt and a link back at http://www.TheIssue.com.

Cheers.

]]> By: Renata http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-122249 Renata Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:01:39 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-122249 Great news! you article was accepted for our Natural Science Carnival! Visit the Carnival <a href="http://rvincoletto.multiply.com/journal/item/635/Natural_Sciences_Carnival" rel="nofollow">here</a> and don't forget to comment, link back, spread the word! Great news! you article was accepted for our Natural Science Carnival! Visit the Carnival here and don’t forget to comment, link back, spread the word!

]]> By: Change of Shift: Vol.2, Number Fourteen » The NJO Blog http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-121325 Change of Shift: Vol.2, Number Fourteen » The NJO Blog Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:40:21 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-121325 [...] Alvaro Fernandez is a frequent contributor to Change of Shift and this week he presents an interesting look at Brain Evolution and Why it is Meaningful Today to Improve Our Brain Health via an article by Larry McCleary, M.D, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children’s Hospital, posted at SharpBrains. Find out how diet and exercise can keep our brains functioning at maximum capacity. [...] [...] Alvaro Fernandez is a frequent contributor to Change of Shift and this week he presents an interesting look at Brain Evolution and Why it is Meaningful Today to Improve Our Brain Health via an article by Larry McCleary, M.D, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children’s Hospital, posted at SharpBrains. Find out how diet and exercise can keep our brains functioning at maximum capacity. [...]

]]> By: » Brain Training Magazine: December Edition   « Brain Fitness Revolution at SharpBrains      http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-117218 » Brain Training Magazine: December Edition   « Brain Fitness Revolution at SharpBrains      Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:32:59 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-117218 [...] Let me first of all introduce you to our new "Author Speaks Series", where we will give leading scientists and experts a forum to present their new brain-related books. We are honored to kickstart the series with Larry McCleary, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children's Hospital. You can read Here his article on how to keep a brain-friendly lifestyle. This series will complement our ongoing Neuroscience Interview Series. [...] [...] Let me first of all introduce you to our new "Author Speaks Series", where we will give leading scientists and experts a forum to present their new brain-related books. We are honored to kickstart the series with Larry McCleary, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children’s Hospital. You can read Here his article on how to keep a brain-friendly lifestyle. This series will complement our ongoing Neuroscience Interview Series. [...]

]]> By: Alvaro http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-116524 Alvaro Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:17:37 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-116524 Hello Jay, that makes sense. What tyoe of books did you start reading? happy 2008! Hello Jay, that makes sense. What tyoe of books did you start reading?

happy 2008!

]]> By: Jay, writer MemberSpeed.com http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/comment-page-1/#comment-116466 Jay, writer MemberSpeed.com Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:18:11 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/12/27/brain-evolution-and-why-it-is-meaningful-today-to-improve-our-brain-health/#comment-116466 I heard that reading helps a lot in improving one's concentration. I've recently tried staying away from too much TV and decided to start reading more books again. I have to say it really does work. It takes a little getting used to but at least I'm mentally stimulating my mind and not just accepting images from the boob tube. I heard that reading helps a lot in improving one’s concentration. I’ve recently tried staying away from too much TV and decided to start reading more books again. I have to say it really does work. It takes a little getting used to but at least I’m mentally stimulating my mind and not just accepting images from the boob tube.

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