I'm seriously impressed with the number of questions and responses that are already on the blog, and with the thought you have put into them. Thank you!! Here is the link to our next reading, "The Neuroscience of Your Brain on Fiction". Also, I've provided all the links to this unit of readings on the side bar to the right, just in case you're ambitious and want to read ahead :)
Just as a side note, as I was driving home today, I caught a radio broadcast on NPR with storyteller Bill Harley. He provides some interesting insights on how stories affect the way we think and why we need stories to help us make sense of the world around us. It really seems to go hand-in-hand with the article we're reading for next week. If you get a chance, visit the website listen to some of it. Here is the link: Radiowest Bill Harley interview.
In "The Neuroscience of Your Brain on Fiction" I thought it curious that when children are read to they have a 'keener theory of mind.' But what was curious was that it also happened with movies. Does anyone know why that is?
ReplyDelete- Taylor O.
The author quotes that going to a movie with a parent might offer more mental stimulation in the form of parent-children conversations. My personal opinion is that it has something to do with the way each of those fictions is written. Movies are more akin to novels in writing while TV is formulated more like a short story. By definition they stimulate in different ways.
DeleteThank you, that makes sense. I think I missed that part when I read it the first time.
DeleteThis article seems reasonable. When I read about a painful event, I will sometimes cringe as if I was experiencing it.
ReplyDelete-Charles S.
I haven't been much of a reader for a long time but over the summer I decided to pick up a book again. I found myself feeling in the moment and wanting to be there and experience the book with the characters. At times I felt like I was there and felt the pain and sadness they did.
DeleteKyle, L.
I agree with you, when the writer describes something in detail you can feel what is going on and really get into. But no so many writer can really catch my attention and is because they dont describe enough the scene.
DeleteZul M.
I found this extremely interesting. Thinking about it, I really do feel a lot of the same emotions the characters are. Very interesting indeed.
ReplyDelete-Bryson C.
When I read, i love to read about emotion. That is why i typically read autobiographies. The emotions are as real as it gets. I do like to read some fiction and in some cases fictional stories still impact me. I was interested to read this passage and find that most people feel these same things. What kind of power does that give the author?
ReplyDelete-Jaxson S.
I wonder, If someone who was considered a jerk or unsympathetic if they were to read more fiction, that they would reverse their ways? WHat does everyone think?
ReplyDeleteKyle, L.
Talking about changing someone's emotional reaction, huh? I don't think reading one book, or even one series of books would significantly change someone. How someone reacts to situations is a habit and it takes a significant amount of time to break habits, especially one as ingrained as an emotional reaction.
DeleteYa depending on how big of a jerk and how unsympathetic they were, I believe that a book can change a person. Reading is like being in a different world it can take you out of reality and put you into a fantasy and make you feel sad or happy even make you feel like you are there living in the moment with the characters. Reading and imagination is a very creative and very important.
ReplyDeleteJoci. B
I love this article. I haven't picked up a good book in way too long. It is interesting how after so much time passes I can forget most of the plot of any story, but I always can remember how I felt reading it. The article reflects this idea. It truly is a simulation that the brain puts on for us when we read fiction. All that brain activity is great for development, maintenance, and growth. Could this explain why I get so dang sleepy after reading awhile?!
ReplyDeleteColton W.
It is also amazing to me how much people say it just wasn't as good as the book, because we each get so much out of the novel. like when she talks about how we feel when we are reading a book, even our emotion can be in a book.
DeleteCraig Nielsen
ya, there is just so much more detail in the novel that makes it better than the movie. Our emotion can be in the book, and I think we try to relate to what the book is making us experience in our brain to real life activities that we experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree with charles at the top. when I read a happy even, I might just crack a smile.
ReplyDeleteI think that describing things on a books helps us get interested and actually pay attention. It helps people see what going on in the mind of the author.
ReplyDeleteZul M.
In this article, Paul proves that Fiction and the imagery included stimulates the brain. The fact that the evidence that Paul uses to prove his points caused a spark in my brain that made me also feel "lavender, cinnamon, and soap." (Paul) This idea is very thought provoking causing the reader to be open and think differently. Also since fiction stimulates the brain, it proves to have a positive effect in the way that young children as well as those that are older, are still exercising the brain.
ReplyDelete-Karleigh A.
this girl gave a speech in my public speech class about how using the internet and technology is causing teens to be lazy, after we read a few of the articles that we had in class I thought there was definitely some room for debate.
ReplyDelete-Felix B.
That is interesting i actually kind off agree with her because i knowrest that i actually more lazy ones i am in my computer and get side track by what i was doing and dont want to do it anymore
DeleteZul Martinez
Even with the positive effects of the fiction, it still must be asked if it prevents the brain from maturing? It may be making it more complex, but does it cause the brain to move laterally over vertically?
ReplyDelete-Karleigh A.
I love what colton W. said towards the top! and geoff, what he said is very true. In order to change the way someone thinks and their habbits, they would have to read very similar books a lot. unless the person reading is very suseptible and easy to persuade, it might not take that long to change their emotional response. I believe it also depends on the book too, reading a life story or about true events can have an effect on decision making.
ReplyDeleteStaci Galvez
Staci Galvez