Neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran's musings on savants, who display exceptional skills in a very specific field, is illuminating in this respect, as he "unashamedly speculates" that a savant's talents may stem from an enlarged section of the brain called the angular gyrus. "You can imagine an explosion of talent resulting from this simple but 'anomalous' increase in brain volume," says Ramachandran, adding: "The same argument might hold for drawing, music, language, indeed any human trait." Ramachandran explains that this theory is at least in part testable, and points to examples where damage to the right parietal cortex "can profoundly disrupt artistic skills, just as damage to the left disrupts calculation." Ramachandran also considers possible the idea that these esoteric human traits can be attractive to mates in the way that a male peacock's plume is attractive, as exceptional ability in music, poetry or drawing may be an "externally visible signature of a giant brain."
Alas, this ambiguously good news comes too late; I've already opted out of the Darwinian saga. I won't go so far as to proclaim myself celibate for life, but for the time-being I'm quite OK with it. Mentally, I'm in a decidedly better place than I was when I felt that establishing a relationship with a member of the opposite sex was somehow imperative. Better still, I'm more productive.
This probably isn't sustainable, but -- so far -- it seems to be working. And I'm not just saying that.
2 comments:
I've never felt like I've "had" to have a relationship, per se, but it's always been on my mind. To the point of distraction. I've simply made the conscious decision not to be distracted anymore.
If you want to "take a break" from the sexual aspect of relationships, try getting married. Works like a charm, and you'll get to combine your incomes.
Paul
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