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What percentage of your brain do you use? - Richard E. Cytowic

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TEDEd Animation

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Two thirds of the population believes a myth that has been propagated for over a century: that we use only 10% of our brains. Hardly! Our neuron-dense brains have evolved to use the least amount of energy while carrying the most information possible -- a feat that requires the entire brain. Richard E. Cytowic debunks this neurological myth (and explains why we aren’t so good at multitasking).

Dog owners know the “guilty look” when a pet has pooped on the carpet or violated some other rule. But how much is due to what the dog knows versus what the owner knows? That is, we project out own mental states onto others, both human and not. What might be some downsides to having brains as smart as ours, that seek out patterns even where none exist?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Richard E. Cytowic
  • Director Hector Herrera
  • Producer Pazit Cahlon
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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