Mental Algorithms

Brainpower Newsletter

One way to more effectively use your brain is to have "mental algorithms" that speed up your analysis of things. These are simply useful patterns or methods that you adopt and make into habits, to help solve various types of problems. For example, if you're considering investments and want to know how your money will grow using them, you can apply the "rule of 72."

The "rule of 72" is a relatively accurate formula for determining how long it takes to double your money. You divide the rate of return you expect into 72, and the result is the number of years it will take to double your money. So, if you are putting your money into an account that pays 6% interest, you divide 72 by 6 and you know that it will take about 12 years to double your money. The rule is based on the compounding of interest, and assumes that you reinvest all interest or investment income.

Mental algorithms are not just mathematical formulas though. They can be any formula that helps you more quickly reach the result you want. For example, if you are a comedian, you probably use several such algorithms unconsciously, but you can write jokes more efficiently if you consciously use them.

A friend mentions that having children gives him a sense of immortality. Applying the comedian's algorithm "What's wrong with this picture?" you realize it means dying. You reply, " I don't want immortality through children. I want to have immortality by not dying!"

Other mental algorithms for a comedian might include asking questions like, "What if I take this to the extreme?" "How would this look to a dog?" "Which words in this have double meanings that I can play with?" or "What is the stupidest part of this situation?"

To effectively teach someone a language, you might start with the question, "What does this person need first?" You might also find that if you identify his interests and start with vocabulary in that area, he learns faster. These are just teaching techniques, but the point is to train yourself to use them systematically.

Every area of human activity has it's own most useful rules and guidelines. Try to find those in whatever areas you are working in. Then apply them until they are habitual.

The most general "life" algorithms can help you make better decisions. For example, you might always ask, "How does this advance me towards my important goals?" and "Is there a better alternative?"

We have patterns and mental habits in our subconscious minds in any case, but they are not necessarily the best ones. The idea of using "mental algorithms" is to consciously train ourselves to use the questions, rules, and patterns of behavior that are most useful. The result is better brainpower.

Take Off Your Shoes

I just read about a study that showed people produced 13% more ideas when brainstorming with their shoes off. Not sure what the theory here is. Maybe when the feet are more comfortable, the brain is more creative. Maybe just the "out of the box" behavior of sitting around a meeting table in one's socks encourages more creative thought. In any case, it can't hurt to try it, and yes, I am writing this with my shoes off.

Bilingual Brainpower

I have covered this subject before, but the research is ongoing. Recent studies, including one at London's Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, have shown that bilingual speakers develop denser gray matter in their brains. This is especially evident on the left side of the brain, where speech and communication are handled. Again, it is an example that exercising an area of the brain can develop and improve it.

Since the areas that develop are used for more than language, it's assumed that bilingual speakers get other benefits beyond the benefit of increased ability to communicate. Future studies are sure to look into this. It has also been shown that the development of these areas is greater according to how young the speaker learns a second language, but that it happens at all ages.

For my own observations on how the new words themselves expand our range of thoughts, and therefore our brainpower, you can visit the page:
http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com/learn-a-language.html.

For free Spanish lessons, you can subscribe at a new site my wife Ana and I created:
http://www.TheSpanishLesson.com

Until next time,

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