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all 76 comments

[–]naich 146 points147 points ago

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You know this right brain/left brain thing is complete bollocks? The areas used for different tasks are spread all over the place with no right/left bias.

[–]oupheking 83 points84 points ago*

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Neuroscience student here. This isn't entirely true. There is lateralization of function for things like language, mathematical skills, and spatial navigation, among other things. But the oversimplified right brain-left brain dichotomy is certainly more black and white than is actually the case.

[–][deleted] 59 points60 points ago

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Science journalist here. So basically what you're saying is that injuries to the left-hemisphere can turn one into a psychic demigod whose position in space and time is impossible to determine because of quantum mechanics?

[–]flashman 43 points44 points ago

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Gizmodo blogger here. From this I feel confident speculating that the US military is intentionally brain-damaging grunts as part of its telekinetic super-soldier program.

[–]div_ 47 points48 points ago

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Non-US redditor here. So you're saying that Americans are turning into retards with super powers?

[–]baktaktarn 19 points20 points ago

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Cat here. Meow?

[–]flyleaf2424 13 points14 points ago

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Potato here... potato

[–]GeoAtreides 3 points4 points ago

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you speak much for a potato.

[–]CircuiTree 9 points10 points ago

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Shut up! I can hardly hear him potato with all your yapping.

[–]douglasr007 0 points1 point ago

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Whew. I thought you were GlaDOS for a second.

[–]who_was_me 10 points11 points ago

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/slow clap

Well done, everyone.

[–]stevesonaplane 8 points9 points ago

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American redditor here. Can't find my keys.

[–]Elrox 0 points1 point ago

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Use your super powers!

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Astrologist here. I got a great deal for you on this used car

[–]oupheking 3 points4 points ago

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That's pretty much what I'm saying. That and losing the ability to speak.

[–]TMox 1 point2 points ago

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Zaphod?

[–]danielvago 0 points1 point ago

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I've read somewhere that if one side of the brain experienced damage then it's possible that the other would develop the capabilities to produce the results normally reserved for the damaged part; ie. mathematical skills.

[–]CelebrantJoker 0 points1 point ago

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Thats called plasticity and decreases with age.

[–]TMox 2 points3 points ago

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Although my left brain agrees, my right brain is too busy looking for naked girls in the image to be bothered.

[–]AnHonestQuestions 35 points36 points ago

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There are some differences, its just nowhere near as extreme as people make it out to be.
Obligatory wiki link

[–]sathka 15 points16 points ago*

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Regardless of scientific basis, it's a concept well-rooted in society's consciousness.

Edit: and thus an effective marketing tool, that's all I was trying to say.

[–]ihateirony -1 points0 points ago

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Not really. I think a large amount of educated people know this isn't completely true. Same with Schizophrenia not being the same as Dissociative Identity Disorder, it's more a relatively common fallacy than a concept rooted in our consciousness, (whatever that means).

[–]sathka 1 point2 points ago

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Well, language use is one example of a mental process that is nearly entirely localized to one side of the brain or the other.

[–]ihateirony 0 points1 point ago

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Yup yup yup, I learned that in my undergrad, but I don't see that as fitting into the ad! Also, iirc, it depends on the language and Chinese speakers usually use both halves equally. I wish I'd the drive to dredge up my old notes to verify that....

[–]sathka 0 points1 point ago

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That sounds extremely suspect to me. The only language-related brain localization oddity I know of is deaf-from-birth users of sign languages will take the brain's usual audio-processing centers and reallocate them to processing visual language information.

[–]ihateirony 0 points1 point ago

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I'm pretty sure it's true, I'd need my old notes though. :/ It's data from fMRI scans. Just my memories of undergrad classes though, so not much to go on!

[–]FrozenBananaStand 4 points5 points ago

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Came here to say this, although I was going to include that the illustration is still pretty sweet.

[–]c53x12 2 points3 points ago

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Spoken like a true left brainer.

[–]Iamnotacrackpot 1 point2 points ago*

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateralization_of_brain_function#Left_vs._right

I'm not saying wikipedia has the definitive answer, but from that it would seem there is a left/right bias for certain 'tasks'.

So this is total bullshit is it?

edit: some more info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_hemisphere#Hemisphere_lateralization

Broad generalizations are often made in popular psychology about certain functions (e.g. logic, creativity) being lateralized, that is, located in the right or left side of the brain. These claims are often inaccurate, as most brain functions are actually distributed across both hemispheres. Most scientific evidence for asymmetry relates to low-level perceptual functions rather than the higher-level functions popularly discussed (e.g. subconscious processing of grammar, not "logical thinking" in general).

Ok, so the people saying "I'm so creative! I must be right-brained!" are talking complete bollocks. As for certain low-level (but largely fundemental) tasks, there is indeed a bias.

[–]naich 1 point2 points ago

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OK, mainly bullshit.

[–]ihateirony 1 point2 points ago

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You should probably but in an edit that the bullshit is the idea that one side is for logic and that one side is for imagination, otherwise this could go on all day...

[–]Cyralea 1 point2 points ago

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It's a gross oversimplification is all. There are documented differences due to lateralization of the brain, as well as functional differences in humans due to the wiring of regions of the forebrain and neocortex.

A much more accurate model (yet still an approximation) is the MBTI. By taking this test you can determine which traits you're expressing dominantly. This typographication is only possible due to the way the brain wires itself within its respective areas. There's more to it than just left vs. right brain, including the degree of wiring of the pre-frontal cortex as well as the interplay and sensitivity to certain neurotransmitters.

A neuroscientist could give you a more in-depth explanation of the above.

[–]GregorMendel 0 points1 point ago

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I could, but honestly I prefer Naich's original comment. The logic that inspired this image is very outdated.

[–]trevehtnu -1 points0 points ago

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While the MBTI is still used in psychology, it is often criticized and regarded by most respected neuroscientists as an equivalent of astrology. To my knowledge, there is zero evidence of any neuroanatomical distinctions corresponding to MBTI typology.

[–]Farisr9k 0 points1 point ago

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I'm glad someone points this out every time this gets posted.

[–]davidjsc -1 points0 points ago

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nailed it!

[–]iamapizza 11 points12 points ago

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[–]wthulhu 2 points3 points ago

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seems to be a popular motif.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points ago

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I think there was a competition for an ad.

[–]onearmmanny 0 points1 point ago

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I'm a fan of the third, anyways. It's just.. brighter. Har.

[–]HumanPersonMan 55 points56 points ago

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what does this have to do with overpriced motor vehicles?

[–]SomeIrishGuy 40 points41 points ago

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Your left brain is stunned by the superior engineering quality of a Mercedes Benz. Your right brain is enamored with its elegance and beauty. Both halves of your brain are urging you to buy an expensive luxury car.

[–]flashman 0 points1 point ago

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Your hominid brain is thinking of all the social cachet and women it thinks this car will bring.

[–]gamachan -1 points0 points ago

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hahahaha love it. Plus in the really nice ones you can fall asleep with less chances of dying while driving!

[–]JoeRigg -5 points-4 points ago

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Mercedes makes pretty ugly cars. The SLS is okay but everything else just looks wrong.

[–]AptMoniker 7 points8 points ago

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Because it pushes the brand even more away from a product and reinforces its ideological status.

[–]purplecow 2 points3 points ago

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I'm driving a 1989 Mercedes that was the cheapest model they had at the time. It still runs fine, and starts up every morning even when left in the cold without a heater. It handles beautifully, and if not driven like a silly person, only drinks about 8-9 litres per 100km.

It wasn't overpriced, it was built to last.

[–]nobile 2 points3 points ago

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Those cars (specially made at that time) seemed to last much longer than current cars. Sadly, there's a limited supply of them :P

[–]HumanPersonMan 1 point2 points ago

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okay... "overpriced" is relative, but you missed my point.

[–]TheGooglePlex 0 points1 point ago

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They got the idea a while ago that you aren't selling a car, a vehicle, but you are selling part of a lifestyle. Make the car seem as one of the best most important parts of the successful professional lifestyle, and you get successfully professionals buying your cars. And they are the ones with the cash too, so you charge them through the nose.

They aren't selling the car, they're selling the lifestyle.

[–]TMox -1 points0 points ago

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It's a new thing: only car ads on the front page.

[–]a11city 5 points6 points ago

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almost missed that this is a mercedes ad

[–]unimatrix 5 points6 points ago

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I think my right half of the brain is dead.

[–]uptwolait 3 points4 points ago

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My left brain doesn't like how artsy the lower left side of that drawing is.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Yeah, why the hell are the buildings curved?

[–]AptMoniker 5 points6 points ago

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This looks like student work.

[–]Buckwheat469 2 points3 points ago

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I see two hands reaching up to a phallic projection from the bull's stomach which is pouring out yellow/white liquid in mass quantities. I am the other brain.

[–]NeverStopPosting 6 points7 points ago

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Lose the merc logo.

[–]ThisIsTheZ 1 point2 points ago

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[–]AnomalousGonzo 2 points3 points ago

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Second.

[–]dvsbastard 2 points3 points ago

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Reddit encourages removing the "source" watermark of an image now...?

[–]Dungrove_Elder 0 points1 point ago

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When I saw that logo hiding in the corner, it made me feel dirty. Had to shower a few times.

[–]baddox 1 point2 points ago

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I demand illustrations of each hemisphere's description of the other.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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No

[–]GregorMendel 1 point2 points ago

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I hate this antiquated shit.

[–]ikilledyourcat 0 points1 point ago

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i remember when this was first posted someone shopped it really well because this is not how the brain works

[–]QuintinT 0 points1 point ago

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If this were true it wouldnt describe me, I am a complete idiot with science and math and im nothing like the Right half.

[–]denim-chicken 0 points1 point ago

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This is random, but I honestly think this is why classical and jazz music and certain art forms are so appealing - the perfect union of Left and Right brains. Hearing the sounds produced, and taking the complexity and timing of the musical notes, I can't help but appreciate it.

[–]Quercusalba 0 points1 point ago

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MY LEFT BRAIN SAYS BUY MERCEDES AND MY RIGHT BRAIN SAYS BUY MERCEDES THE BEST OR NOTHING

[–]employeeno5 0 points1 point ago

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This concept is bullshit. I can't believe this idea actually still pervades, or is even sometimes taught in schools.

[–]Alphabet_Master 0 points1 point ago

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I think the booze from my right brain spilled over and killed much of my left brain. Ah well.

[–]raskolnikovredeemed 0 points1 point ago

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A false dichotomy

[–]colbylol 0 points1 point ago

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Oh hey yeah I read the desktop thread too

[–]ThisIsTheZ 0 points1 point ago*

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[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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Looks familiar.

[–]hudders -1 points0 points ago

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The right brain reminds me of Hemmingway.