In Your Brain On Art,
Noah Charney makes a point of thinking outside the box and he is particularly
interested in a Neuroscientist’s findings in the art field. In My Stroke of Insight, Jill Bolte Taylor,
a neuroscientist herself, focuses on the difference between the two hemispheres
of the brain and how they directly impacted her personally. Here I am thinking
about thinkers thinking… I believe that at a dinner table these two people
would have extraordinary conversations relating ideas of “top-down” and left
brain thinking, and comparing them to “bottom-up” and right brain thinking. In
my dinner table story I imagine Jill Taylor reiterating her incredible story
and Noah Charney listening in awe. I think that they would discuss the way her
right brain reacted and how the right brain sees abstract art as opposed to the
left. The whole night would be full of
how amazing the human brain is and the two sides of it work. In the end I
imagine that they would conclude that there is no “right” or “normal” way to
think. Balance between the two hemispheres and balance between judging things
based on natural instinct or prior knowledge is necessary for healthy brain expansion.
Your article touches points i didn't cover in my blog. I agree that it is important to realize that you cannot rely too heavily on any one side of the brain and that in order to perceive the world in a reasonable manner, you must utilize both parts of the brain and use a balance between natural instinct and prior knowledge. One method of perceiving things may fail you in one situation where another method may be better suited for that particular instance. One needs to be able to determine whether its best to be layed back and go with the flow, or snap out of it and really dial in their focus in order to get things done.
ReplyDeleteI agree within your blog that the balance within the brain carries us to understand what our reality is, using prior knowledge of what has been taught and also seeing a different meaning behind something helps us lay ground of what things are. I've come to understand that without that balance would develop us into crazy mad men seeing fully into the mind's eye or incompetent living beings never pushing the limits of oneself only observing the obvious. To which with this balance we can control what we see and experience in the world we live in. I also agree upon the sense of the conversation displayed by the two authors that would delighted upon the topic of abstract view.
DeleteYour article is very realistic and interesting, i agree with you on how they would have an extraordinary conversation concerning their views on the brain's process. I like how you summarized and concluded your blog by saying "they would conclude there is no right or normal way to think" which makes me reconsider saying that they would disagree with each other. As said above your blog touches uppon points and thoughts that i did not think of or go in depth with. If i had read this blog before starting mines i probaly would had also headed in the direction of having the two geniuses sit at the table and agree with each other on ceratin features of the brain.
ReplyDeleteI like how you touched on the point that these authors would conclude "there is no 'right' or 'normal' way to think." I agree with this because as controversial as their discussion might get, I believe they would build off each other's "what-ifs" and open-ended ideas to let their views mesh. Their "arguments" won't be so much arguing, but just a fresh pair of eyes on a subject, much like Eric Kandel's insight on abstract art. It would be just like constructive criticism on their views. They would still be able to decide for themselves whether they want to accept it or stick to their own vision
ReplyDeleteI love that your blog was quick to the point and covered important parts of their conversation! I also agree that they would relate bottom up thinking and the right hemisphere of the brain. I wish I had mentioned in my blog that abstract art must be viewed using the right side of the brain, because it is clear that the right hemisphere relates more to bottom up thinking. I liked how you added that the night would end with both professionals in agreement that there is no "right" way to view the world because both intellectuals will for sure continue to be open to new insight and other perspectives. Well done!
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