The idea that left-handed people are more likely to be geniuses is true. A neurologist uncovers the crucial difference in the brain's mechanism.
//Summary - Level-B2//
Left-handed individuals, approximately 1 in 10, often exhibit higher levels of creativity, originality, and intuition due to their unique brain structures. Unlike right-handers, they store information as images rather than words, which boosts idea generation. Brain scientist Toshinori Kato, who is left-handed, explains that left-handers tend to think deeply, approach problems from different angles, and develop brain areas when facing challenges. His book offers brain training for both left- and right-handers to build creativity, such as breaking routines or embracing inconvenience. Kato encourages self-growth over others' opinions and believes originality comes from daily efforts to think differently.
A)
Left-handedness occurs with a probability of "1 in 10". Why are there left-handed people? What are the advantages?
Left-handed people are the subject of a best-selling book by left-handed neurologist Toshinori Kato, A Master Doctor Who Has Seen 10,000 Brains Teaches You About Left-Handedness.
In addition to learning about the benefits and characteristics of left-handedness, this book also offers suggestions for right-handed individuals. What method does Kato advocate for activating the brain based on the dominant hand?
B)
Left-handed people tend to have different personalities from most right-handed people.
It is said that Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Charles Darwin were left-handed.
Many world-famous artists, such as Mozart, Leonardo da Vinci and Picasso, were also left-handed.
In modern times, Bill Gates and Barack Obama are also known to be left-handed.
This book examines the distinctive characteristics and remarkable qualities of left-handed individuals.
C)
The author, Toshinori Kato, is a medical doctor and a specialist in brain science. He is renowned for discovering the fNIRS method in 1991, which uses near-infrared light to measure brain activity and is now employed in over 7,000 research facilities dedicated to brain studies worldwide.
Subsequently, he was invited to the Department of Radiology at the University of Minnesota in the United States to further his research on the brain, after which he returned to Japan. He has diagnosed and treated over 10,000 patients, ranging from children to the elderly, using his unique Kato-style MRI brain imaging diagnostic method.
Kato is a prolific writer who has elucidated the workings of the brain about various topics, such as tidying up, emotions and ADHD. In this book, however, he focuses on left-handedness.
Kato, who is also left-handed, lists "intuition," "originality," and "one-step thinking" as strengths of left-handed people, and introduces brain training methods that are also useful for right-handed people.
D)
For example, 'originality'.
There is a reason why left-handed people tend to be so creative. This is because their brain network structure differs from that of right-handed people.
Kato says that left-handed people have a different personality from most right-handed people.
As they use different brain circuits than right-handed people, they appear original to others, even if they seem normal to themselves.
E)
The most significant difference in brain function is that right-handed people primarily absorb information through words. In contrast, left-handed individuals tend to 'memorise information captured by the eyes as images'.
The left brain, which handles language, processes information slowly and theoretically, one piece at a time. In contrast, the right brain instantly stores the whole image, as if a camera were clicking its shutter.
So what difference does it make to be able to store information as an image?
F)
The number of moments when the brain experiences "trouble" increases.
An easy-to-understand comparison is storing information on a smartphone.
When text is stored, only a small amount of space is used. On the other hand, images and videos have a large data size. This means that a lot of information is stored.
The same goes for data in the brain. If information is stored as an image, the data capacity is much larger than if it were stored as text.
The more information there is, the more can be extracted from it, and the easier it is to develop into various forms. This can lead to ideas that do not fit into existing frameworks.
G)
Being aware that you are not 'the same as everyone else' fosters an attitude of ingenuity.
Left-handed people think deeply and from various perspectives about how they are 'different from everyone else' in every aspect of their lives, and how they can be the same as others.
This is a significant advantage for left-handed individuals, though right-handed individuals can also cultivate this mindset. Furthermore, even if left-handed people hear an opinion that makes them think, 'I'm different,' they do not just accept that.
'Is it because I'm weird that I think this way?' Or maybe I don't understand the content well enough?" They consider why they are different from every angle.
H)
Consequently, left-handers take much longer than right-handers to think about one thing, and they can think of more information as a result.
'That's how left-handers come up with their unique ideas.'
Interestingly, it's much harder for left-handers to imitate right-handers than vice versa.
When the brain encounters this kind of difficulty, it's a sign that a new area of the brain is beginning to grow. (In this book, the brain is organised into eight systems, with groups of cells with similar functions assigned addresses.)
I)
As the previous method of using the brain is not working, they are starting to use other areas of the brain. This makes it easier to tap into creativity.
This may come naturally to left-handed people, but right-handed people can encourage it by increasing the number of times they experience a 'troublesome' feeling in their brain.
Doing so will encourage the use of other brain areas and open the door to creativity.
J)
Take on new challenges every day.
When you think of originality, you may imagine a lack of understanding from those around you.
As conservative tendencies remain strong in Japanese society, it is advisable to be prepared. This is an area that the book covers, guiding how to demonstrate originality.
K)
'That means not being swayed by the opinions of others.'
Just because the people around you don't understand you doesn't mean your ideas are 'worthless'.
If you lose confidence because the opinions of those around you influence you, you will also lose the patience to nurture your ideas. Even so, there will be times when you feel like giving up. The book also describes what Kato did in such situations.
Instead of judging yourself based on what others say, you should judge yourself based on how much you've improved since yesterday.
Then, unique brain training methods to further develop 'creativity' are introduced.
L)
For example, read a book backwards. 'Try something you've never done before.'
Every morning, wake up at the same time, eat the same breakfast, and take the same train to work.
Work with the same people, then go home, drink the same brand of beer, and watch the same genre of videos.
'If you live your life in this "always the same" routine, your brain only needs to use a portion of its functions. The functions of your brain that aren't being used will deteriorate, and you won't be able to think creatively.'
To come up with your unique ideas, it's essential to challenge yourself every day by doing something you've never done before, stimulating your brain evenly and taking in new information.
M)
One way to achieve this is to flip through books you have read before, starting from the back. You could also start reading from a random page you open to.
"Putting yourself in an inconvenient situation" can also be interesting.
Try to enjoy a holiday without spending money, cook a meal using only what's in the fridge, spend a day without using the computer, and spend a day without going to the convenience store or supermarket. Create a day where you spend time without using money or modern conveniences.
"Forcing yourself into an inconvenient situation like this is also good training to improve your thinking skills."
Other examples include 'refusing something you like', 'visiting a shrine or temple', and 'thinking about the necessity of something'. This brain training is beneficial for both left-handed and right-handed individuals.
The idea that left-handed people are more likely to be geniuses is supported by research. A neurologist uncovers the crucial difference in the brain's mechanism.
https://diamond.jp/articles/-/366692
