Inside the baby mind: (Boston Globe)

Baudelaire was right: "Genius is nothing more nor less than childhood recovered at will."

Although scientists have long held the lack of a functional prefrontal cortex responsible for all sorts of "childish" behaviors, researchers are beginning to realize that, sometimes, it might actually be better to allow the prefrontal cortex to loosen its grip.

A recent brain scanning experiment by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that jazz musicians in the midst of improvisation - they were playing a specially designed keyboard in a brain scanner - showed dramatically reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex. It was only by "deactivating" this brain area that the musicians were able to spontaneously invent new melodies. The scientists compare this unwound state of mind with that of dreaming during REM sleep, meditation, and other creative pursuits, such as the composition of poetry. But it also resembles the thought process of a young child, albeit one with musical talent. Baudelaire was right: "Genius is nothing more nor less than childhood recovered at will."

The immaturity of the baby brain comes with another advantage: utter absorption in the moment.

I Want To Bite The Hand That Feeds Me

THIS is the shit, Elvis C. at the point of maximum impact. Anyone potentially doing a public presentation, say, at an awards ceremony or something, should study this carefully.

Strummer on Suits

"My bummin' slummin' friends have all got new boots
An' someone just asked me if the group would wear suits"

Sneaker Quote

I am thinking of a nice "Woody Allen escorts Betty Ford" kind of sneaker.

From Time (!):

"The sneaker is not so much an object as an idea, a symbol of values that America has always taken pride in: social and physical mobility, practicality, informality, even rebellion (such as when Woody Allen wore a pair of Converse high-tops to escort First Lady Betty Ford to the ballet in 1975)."

Can't find a good pic of this right now.

Want to get ahead? Sleep in

Late Riser's Club: Not just a member, I'm the president... Full article here.

...there are no “late-riser” special discounts or idioms such as “the night owl catches the worm.” That's because of societal pressures, says Prof. Peigneux, co-author of the study. Those who hit their stride at midnight are often required to then get up early for work or school. They may appear to be lazy or unmotivated – but are really just sleep-deprived.

“If you allow them to live on their preferred schedule, then they can outperform the morning types,” he said.

The study measured the part of the brain that is home to the circadian master clock that operates according to a day-night cycle. Sleep pressure dampens the circadian signal, and activity in this area decreases the longer the person is awake. The night owls were more resistant to sleep pressure.

Also see : Guido Sarducci