Saturday, June 24, 2006

Sexual Success And The Schizoid Factor

Neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran's musings on savants, who display exceptional skills in a very specific field, is illuminating in this respect, as he "unashamedly speculates" that a savant's talents may stem from an enlarged section of the brain called the angular gyrus. "You can imagine an explosion of talent resulting from this simple but 'anomalous' increase in brain volume," says Ramachandran, adding: "The same argument might hold for drawing, music, language, indeed any human trait." Ramachandran explains that this theory is at least in part testable, and points to examples where damage to the right parietal cortex "can profoundly disrupt artistic skills, just as damage to the left disrupts calculation." Ramachandran also considers possible the idea that these esoteric human traits can be attractive to mates in the way that a male peacock's plume is attractive, as exceptional ability in music, poetry or drawing may be an "externally visible signature of a giant brain."


Alas, this ambiguously good news comes too late; I've already opted out of the Darwinian saga. I won't go so far as to proclaim myself celibate for life, but for the time-being I'm quite OK with it. Mentally, I'm in a decidedly better place than I was when I felt that establishing a relationship with a member of the opposite sex was somehow imperative. Better still, I'm more productive.

This probably isn't sustainable, but -- so far -- it seems to be working. And I'm not just saying that.

3 comments:

W.M. Bear said...

I won't go so far as to proclaim myself celibate for life, but for the time-being I'm quite OK with it. Mentally, I'm in a decidedly better place than I was when I felt that establishing a relationship with a member of the opposite sex was somehow imperative.

Sounds like you're at least doing what I call "taking a vacation from relationships." It's truly amazing. Many people of (both sexes) seem to think they HAVE to have relationship with someone of their sexual preference. I know I was like this when I was younger. If I broke up with somebody I HAD to find somebody else, ASAP! If it's any consolation (not that you sound like you need any), I've been in this situation for the past 6 years since the breakup of my last (2nd) marriage, and I'm happy as a clam! Now I can't believe that I ever used to feel that HAD to have a relationship with a woman! (I think I may have had a past life as a Jesuit priest -- that probably helps.)

Mac said...

I've never felt like I've "had" to have a relationship, per se, but it's always been on my mind. To the point of distraction. I've simply made the conscious decision not to be distracted anymore.

Paul Kimball said...

If you want to "take a break" from the sexual aspect of relationships, try getting married. Works like a charm, and you'll get to combine your incomes.

Paul