Tuesday, January 15, 2008

"Ago ergo cogito"


Ever wonder why you get hit by the best ideas when running, riding, or just generally moving? This is an excellent bit I encountered this morning. Hat tip to Tyler Cowen over at Marginal Revolution.

A snippet from the report:

'When you read something confusing, or work a crossword puzzle, or try to remember where you put your keys, what do you do with your body? Do you sit? Do you stand? Do you pace? Do you do anything with your hands? Do you move your eyes in a particular pattern?
...
The brain is often envisioned as something like a computer, and the body as its all-purpose tool. But a growing body of new research suggests that something more collaborative is going on - that we think not just with our brains, but with our bodies. A series of studies, the latest published in November, has shown that children can solve math problems better if they are told to use their hands while thinking. Another recent study suggested that stage actors remember their lines better when they are moving. And in one study published last year, subjects asked to move their eyes in a specific pattern while puzzling through a brainteaser were twice as likely to solve it.'

graph per bostonblobe

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Inspiration lies in motion. Good piece.

B.R. said...

Or when riding one's bike. Or walking 'with purpose?'
Thx, Becca.