Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Googling is Good for the Brain

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News for a Synergic Earth: "For middle aged and older people at least, using the internet helps boost brain power, research suggests.

A University of California Los Angeles team found searching the web stimulates centres in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The researchers say this might even help to counter-act the age-related physiological changes that cause the brain to slow down. The study features in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Lead researcher Professor Gary Small said: 'The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults. Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function.'"

And why should this be? I think it is because most internet apps, google included, are so hopelessly broken that to do even the simplest task is a constant challenge of "What do you suppose the programmer intended here?" and other opaque black-box puzzles that make the New York Times Crossword seem like a walk in the park!