You may remember Michael Merzenich as one of the major researchers mentioned in The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge. Merzenich is no doubt a better researcher than a speaker; this lecture is not nearly as good—and certainly not as comprehensive—as the book. But it will take less than 25 minutes of your time, and is worthwhile if only for his explanation of the dangers of white noise—continuous, disorganized sound—to an infant's brain, and for the hope he holds out to those of us who grew up with the depressing idea that once you reach adulthood (or perhaps early teens, or even age six, depending on who you believe), you are basically stuck with the brain you've got.
Michael Merzenich on re-wiring the brain
(Granchild warning: I don't know if you consider "crap" objectionable, but there are a few instances between 17:00 and 18:30.)
I found it interesting, but he didn't really say what to DO to maintain our brains. What is "brain aerobics"? Have well-ordered lives where learning is a continual part of it? What kind of noise is bad for infants? It sounded to me like most of the "noise" he complains about is internal noise kids are born with. Of course it's late and I'm tired so maybe I just couldn't follow him well.
It's not you; he's hard to follow. It made more sense to me because I already knew what he was saying, from the book and other sources.
His idea of "brain aerobics" is, of course, the product his company, Posit Science, sells. I finally broke down and bought one of them, but I haven't had time to do more than just start, so I can't give a review. The prices are going to have to come down a lot before most people are going to use the products. But you have a friend, EJ, who benefited greatly from another of the company's products, Fast ForWord.
What he means by the kind of noise damaging to infants (and probably the rest of us) is, unfortunately, very common in modern society: fans, air conditioners, other electric appliances, probably even living next to a busy highway. I think noise per se is less of a problem than continuous noise.
continuous noise. hmm, like a wood stove fan? The rest of us would like it to be quieter also. But Joy has heard that sound nearly continuously from her birth. Only in recent days has it been off...
Last night I went to the bathroom at 3am and noted that I could actually hear (or not hear) that the water filter wasn't running. It was quiet in the house. It was great!
Oh, dear. :( I hadn't thought of that—I was concentrating on wondering what continuous noise Noah might have heard as an infant. I guess we'll have to see how her language develops.
White noise, my son was very colicky as a baby. His father introduce him to the exhaust fan in the bathroom. It work. So did putting his carseat on top of dryer and running water. after awhile, I got tire of running up my electric and water bill. So, I purchase white noise Cd. My son has been diagnose with Verbal Apraxia and possible PDD-NOS and ADD. He's 7 and interact with children as long as little speech is involve. I just start Fast For Words. I can't wait to see the outcome.
Tracey, I wish you and your son the best and hope you will return to tell us of his progress.
I will this maybe the prayer that many parent are looking for. I'm so excited.
my daughter is 15 months and has a recorded sight reading vocabulary of over 600 words and can sound out new words on her own. In short: she reads...and speaks quite well. Some full sentences. I have used music, white noise, brown noise and sound machines since before she was born. Here's my beef with this lecture...Medical studies have shown that SOME white noise machines mimic the sounds inside the womb. Thus the SHHHH part of the Five S's that so many parents use to lull their child to sleep. My daughter's speech is advanced so I'm not really sure what his basis for his theory is. Especially considering that some neurologists SUGGEST white noise to soothe premies to sleep.
Thanks for your comment, Angela. I suspect you are right, and that the effects are markedly different depending on the frequency content of the noise. One person pointed out that if the problem were all continuous noises, we would notice significant effects on those who grow up near the continuous wave-noise of the ocean. My own theory—for which I have no proof whatsoever—is that the richer the range of frequencies in the sound, the more soothing and less disruptive it is. Womb sounds, wave sounds, the sound of a running brook or a gentle wind in the trees—these are the kinds of white noise that we instinctively feel are helpful, not harmful. I'm still suspicious of limited-frequency, electronic sounds though.
