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Left Brain v. Right Brain - Separating fact from fiction

Trippy Trekker

Trippy Trekker

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Do you consider yourself Left-Brained or Right-Brained?

I consider myself Left-Brained.

The linked article, IMO, suggests this notion has more basis in fiction than fact.

You’re not truly left-brained or right-brained, but you can play to your strengths and continue broadening your mental horizons. A normal, healthy brain is capable of lifelong learning and boundless creativity.
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https://www.healthline.com/health/left-brain-vs-right-brain#boosting-creativity

Any thoughts?
 
I'm left-handed and naturally right-brained. There is some evidence that lefties may process information a little more quickly because our right and left hemispheres have to work more closely together (in a compensatory way) than righties do.
 
nota bene said:
I'm left-handed and naturally right-brained. There is some evidence that lefties may process information a little more quickly because our right and left hemispheres have to work more closely together (in a compensatory way) than righties do.
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I've oft heard that Lefties are prone to be more creative, and anecdotally I believe I've seen that.

Unless I'm leading myself here ...
 
Chomsky said:
I've oft heard that Lefties are prone to be more creative, and anecdotally I believe I've seen that.

Unless I'm leading myself here ...
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We're also a bit more accident-prone, and there's a reason for this: Just about everything is "opposite world" for us. ;)
 
nota bene said:
We're also a bit more accident-prone, and there's a reason for this: Just about everything is "opposite world" for us. ;)
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My daughter complains about this all the time...left handed items are a little expensive so she muddles through life with right handed equipment...scissors are a real pain for her..
 
nota bene said:
We're also a bit more accident-prone, and there's a reason for this: Just about everything is "opposite world" for us. ;)
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Ah, that's a bit funny, no offense intended. But I can see that occurring. ;)

However I find you very logical as well, Nota. Which in the general theory implies left-brain dominant, and right-handed.

This is why, while I generally accept the train-of-thought on brain hemisphere dominate thinking qualities, I believe the critical element is intelligence itself. Given adequate intelligence, I see no reason why one can't be both creative & logical. And no, I don't believe that requires one to be ambidextrous! :2razz:
 
Chomsky said:
Ah, that's a bit funny, no offense intended. But I can see that occurring. ;)

However I find you very logical as well, Nota. Which in the general theory implies left-brain dominant, and right-handed.

This is why, while I generally accept the train-of-thought on brain hemisphere dominate thinking qualities, I believe the critical element is intelligence itself. Given adequate intelligence, I see no reason why one can't be both creative & logical. And no, I don't believe that requires one to be ambidextrous! :2razz:
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But I wonder if it helps. Both my little sisters were lefties, but the one who taught herself to deal cards right-handed and so on is also the one whose delight was sticking it to the IRS (legally, of course) and who could also pull a transmission.

Lefties do have to do a bit more thinking. Much of it happens subconsciously, but whether it's putting a key in a right-side doorknob or opening a laundry box's tear-strip, we generally have to go through more steps, if this makes sense.
 
I was born a Righty.

When I was 5, I burned my hand, and had to learn to write Lefty. I do some things Right handed, and others Left. I shoot Right but go Left with a bow and arrow. Prob because my left eye is stronger.

Anyway, I feel having to make those adaptations forced my brain to work more efficiently. When I conquer the world next week, all children will have to learn to write cursive with the opposite hand.

Don't take to me about ending cursive.
 
nota bene said:
But I wonder if it helps. Both my little sisters were lefties, but the one who taught herself to deal cards right-handed and so on is also the one whose delight was sticking it to the IRS (legally, of course) and who could also pull a transmission.

Lefties do have to do a bit more thinking. Much of it happens subconsciously, but whether it's putting a key in a right-side doorknob or opening a laundry box's tear-strip, we generally have to go through more steps, if this makes sense.
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Interesting stuff.

Then you have lefties who learn to play guitars "reversed", because when they started all they had was a conventional right-handed guitar! Where there's a will, there's a way, it seems.
 
Chomsky said:
Interesting stuff.

Then you have lefties who learn to play guitars "reversed", because when they started all they had was a conventional right-handed guitar! Where there's a will, there's a way, it seems.
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When the techies delivered my first computer and set it up, the mouse was set to the right. After a lifetime of being oppressed and having to "accommodate," it never even occurred to me that the mouse could be put on the left. :3oops:

By the time, years later, I did learn, it was too late. Oh, well, good for my brain, right?

And there are some real advantages to being left-handed and/or ambidextrous (which means to be "talented leftie") in some sports and on some instruments, for example, the piano. If you play Bach or boogie, you've got to have a powerful left hand. This is even more true on a harpsichord. There is no faking or fudging on that instrument the way you can on a piano.
 
nota bene said:
When the techies delivered my first computer and set it up, the mouse was set to the right. After a lifetime of being oppressed and having to "accommodate," it never even occurred to me that the mouse could be put on the left. :3oops:

By the time, years later, I did learn, it was too late. Oh, well, good for my brain, right?

And there are some real advantages to being left-handed and/or ambidextrous (which means to be "talented leftie") in some sports and on some instruments, for example, the piano. If you play Bach or boogie, you've got to have a powerful left hand. This is even more true on a harpsichord. There is no faking or fudging on that instrument the way you can on a piano.
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Hah, funny.

But I'm sure you're right about the piano.

Even though I've played guitar since around 10y.o., which of course as a rightie means I use my left hand on the fretboard, I still found the left hand piano work to be the most intimidating. On piano, my left-hand bass runs are nowhere as good as my right-hand melodies or leads (using guitar terms). But mainly, I found it incredibly difficult to do things requiring melodic or scales type stuff by both hands simultaneously. It was much harder than guitar in that aspect, in my opinion.
 
Chomsky said:
Hah, funny.

But I'm sure you're right about the piano.

Even though I've played guitar since around 10y.o., which of course as a rightie means I use my left hand on the fretboard, I still found the left hand piano work to be the most intimidating. On piano, my left-hand bass runs are nowhere as good as my right-hand melodies or leads (using guitar terms). But mainly, I found it incredibly difficult to do things requiring melodic or scales type stuff by both hands simultaneously. It was much harder than guitar in that aspect, in my opinion.
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Oh, I am right about the piano; I'm a pianist and have played the harpsichord.

You know, until I read what you've written here, I'd never thought in quite this way about the two hands. I just always did it. I've always thought that finding the notes had to be so much more difficult on a violin or guitar. I never had to conceptualize the notes; I could see the keys. I know what B Flat looks like. When I read music, my mind's eye is seeing those keys no matter what instrument is playing.

Watch Glenn Gould's hands here:

 
nota bene said:
I'm left-handed and naturally right-brained. There is some evidence that lefties may process information a little more quickly because our right and left hemispheres have to work more closely together (in a compensatory way) than righties do.
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I naturally swing a hockey stick or golf club right handed, but it feels completely unnatural to swing a baseball bat right handed, so from the very 1st time I tried swinging a bat, I did it left handed, because that's what felt natural, despite being right handed.

So, after reading your comments, I interpret the above physical/mental realities regarding myself, as to mean that I must be the prophet and savior that all religions have predicted. But thank God my humbleness prevents me from thinking too highly of myself. Lol
 
Monday, August 13 is International Lefthanders Day.
About 10% of the population is left-handed.
There have been several theories over the years about why some people favor their left hand.
A study published last year found that right- or left-handedness may have nothing to do with the brain — instead, it could be determined by gene activity in the spinal cord while you are in the womb.
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WOO HOO! For those of you lefthanded, may your unique lefthandedness set you apart today as extra-special people!

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-some-people-are-left-handed-2018-1?amp;utm_medium=referral
 
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