Specifically the amygdala, the central component of the limbic brain system which is known to be vital to understanding aspects of emotion, memory and social behaviour, is thought to increase in size.
To manage social contacts and aquaintances the brain needs a more capable centre for managing its "data".
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| Hank Grebe / Pures/tock / SuperStock |
An American group of scientists has now found in humans what was before known for other animals. The bigger and more complex the "herd", the larger the volume of the amygdala.
But it is not only the brain that increases in size, other parts of the nervous system, like the optic nerve are known to improve in other animals.
Now the trouble with social networks is the depending on how they are used they can also isolate people, reversing the effect. But if these online communities are used to reinforce contacts the internet can be a great tool for "being social".
If social networks can turn shy people into masters of socialising remains to be seen. Soon MRI scans might show clues.
So. Your opinions on social networks? Helpful for keeping contacts, good for making new ones, or rather the opposite, leading to isolation?
i definetly feel isolated using social networking.
ReplyDeleteyou see all the good stuff people are posting and it make you feel like your life is worthless.
I believe smaller brain is more like it. Dumbs you down like everything else. More propaganda for you to accept your brainwashing like an obedient human.
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice to have that medium of social interaction, but it detracts from physical communications. I see more people on facebook typing than I do openly conversing, even sitting right next to each other in a computer lab.
ReplyDeleteO.o whoa
ReplyDeleteSure your brain might be bigger, but the actual thinking material is diminishing
ReplyDeletethat's an interesting finding if true.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking seems to just be a way for people to make them selves think they are being social without there being any real meaningful social interaction to back it up
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's true for social networking sites beause you don't actually need to remember stuff about your "friends" as you can easily look up stuff about them you don't even need to recognise their face.
ReplyDeletemy brain was big to begin with :P
ReplyDeleteI'm a little sceptical...but if true it could be cool
ReplyDeletei dont trust that one
ReplyDeletei can definitely agree with what 'paranormal explorer' is saying. i'd also like to add that the social networking experience depends on you and what kind of people you're keeping in contact with.
ReplyDeletefor instance my gf's fb is over 500 people of highschool friends and randoms, then she complains that all the stuff posted in her newsfeed is bs and then she looks over at my newsfeed (200 friends, mostly creative people from design college and going out to shows) and she said there was much more cooler news and dynamic content for my fb experience.
it takes some moderation in who you let into your social network
I tried to avoid facebook for years but this can change that.
ReplyDeleteas an army brat and thus moving around alot, the only way i've been able to reconnect with alot of my childhood friends from places like germany is through facebook
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely similarities between social networking and herd mentality. Think of the thousands of people seeking recognition though "likes" of their statuses.
ReplyDeleteI think leanmeansteen has hit it right on the head.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of expansion of the mind? It probably does depend on how you use it. I use it to keep in contact with people, or mass spam a group of people to come out etc. Not exactly mentally stimulating stuff.
It's useful, but it's a convenience, and conveniences rarely require thought
intregueing
ReplyDeleteWell, the bigger is not always the better.
ReplyDeleteWell, my experience is that my friends tend to isolate more, but as they are connected through social networking they don't mind.
ReplyDeleteThis saturday I was hanging out with some friends and at a certain point, five of them were watching something on their smartphones for several minutes. Only two were actually speaking.
I hope this isn't the future :)
Interesting to think that our technology is changing the body and mind themselves.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't live without social networking. My friends are all over the place and it helps me keep track of them and continue to contact them.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to find out that being social actually increases that part of your brain.
IF social means that the only interactions you do are through a computer then I'm proud to be an outcast.
ReplyDeleteGood read, but i highly doubt that they make you any smarter
ReplyDeletevery interesting blog, i look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteWrite about black holes :)
ReplyDeleteThat's some interesting stuff right there. MAKE A BIGGER SOCIAL NETWORK!
ReplyDeletewe are smarter there is no question
ReplyDeleteHoly shit that's fascinating. I do suppose it makes sense since we are using more and more neurons each day processing these new tidbits of information
ReplyDeleteinetersting read, following ;P
ReplyDeleteWow like we do, due to new friends.
ReplyDeleteI think Social Networks are a mixed bag. They have many benefits, but also tend to make people more isolated in the sense that they stay at home more instead of hanging out with flesh and bone buddies. Still, I think it's good for them to flourish... maybe in the future they'll get better.
ReplyDeletein that case, my brain is huge.
ReplyDeleteIts called cancer. lol I feel smarter I guess
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense. I mean, more balls in the air to juggle...
ReplyDeletethats pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis could be considered an on going reversed experiment that was done with monkeys during the Monkey Sphere experiments when by reducing the size of the brain [via lobotomy] monkeys had their Monkey Sphere reduced as well and could socialize with less of their kind.
ReplyDeleteHumans could have a perception of 150 people as actual beings [aka 3D people]. I'd like to see this rise to a global consciousness.
Anyway. Nice read and post more socio-psycho-biological threads.
Cheers
To me social networking is just a way to stay in touch with people I dont talk to in my everyday life. I hardly post any status updates but I do love it when you meet a girl you can just add them to your profile and keep in contact! Way easier than asking for a number right away..
ReplyDelete