As Ellen Webb says over on her Brain-Based Business blog, "Anybody can predict what we can look forward to or fear for the future, but when NewScientist.com collected forecasts from the most brilliant minds in their fields, it’s worth taking a look."

There are plenty of experts here who tell us where the cutting edges are, some of them about the brain, others about alien life and computer innovations. Whether your interests lie in looking backwards or forward, these tidbits stimulate thinking for sure.

At this time of year, why not just smile then? Heck, at any time or place: smile your face off and see what happens. To understand the brain mechanisms, visit Sutton’s blog, he’s researched and written about Zajonc and others who have studied this and it is worth the read.

This report is from the BBC News site:

Left-handed people can think quicker when carrying out tasks such as playing computer games or playing sports, say Australian researchers. 

The fast transfer of information in the brain makes left-handers more efficient when dealing with multiple stimuli.

Experts said left-handers tended to use both sides of the brain more easily.

Study leader Dr Nick Cherbuin from the Australian National University measured transfer time between the two sides of the brain by measuring reaction times to white dots flashed to the left and right of a fixed cross.

Martina Navratilova is left-handed, and so are many other sports legends.

If only the Hubby would apply his advantageous abilities to taking out the trash…

Looking for intelligent gifts for the Holidays? How about giving a gift that improves the brain? Of course, you’ll have to avoid the implication that a brain-based gift to a loved one might entail, but you can figure that one out.

Why not give a smart gift that keeps on giving?

Zack Lynch from the Brainwaves Blog at Corante reports on several games designed to improve brain functioning.

If you know someone who is too stressed, wants to improve cognitive sharpness, desires a better basketball game or is bothered by light ADHD then you might think about getting them one of these programs featured on the SharpBrains Blog:

• The Freeze-Framer® Interactive Learning System for Stress Management
• MindFit Brain Workout a personal trainer for your brain
• The Basketball IntelliGym™ Cognitive Trainer for improving your working memory
• RoboMemo: Cogmed Working Memory Training for ADD/ADHD

Paul Ekman has conducted extensive research on identifying emotions through facial expressions. As part of that research, and as part of the power of discipline and training, he learned how to consciously manipulate 42 facial muscles, including many that in most of us are beyond our control, and even awareness.

Based on primary and secondary research, he found that there are seven emotions expressed in the face in universally consistent ways:

1. Sadness
2. Anger
3. Surprise
4. Fear
5. Enjoyment
6. Disgust
7. Contempt

Even more interesting: according to his research, feelings and facial expressions influence each other. This is, not only a sad person will naturally look sad, but a person who intentionally smiles will feel more content than a person who doesn’t.

Coincidently, I just got the 2-part series called Faces on DVD from Netflix to watch. Part documentary, it is narrated by John Cleese, one of the funniest men in Britain. I’ll let you know what I learn from that.

How good are you at picking up clues from a person’s face?

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Speak with a calm voice. This will trigger the avoidance of cortisol, that pesky little hormone that spikes when we get angry or fearful.

Dr. Ellen Weber, the wizardess over at Brain-Based Business blog gave a perfect example of how communications - or miscommunications - can occur even among trusted peers. Her blog post is worth the read.

Here’s Ellen’s post:

Cortisol Shuts Down Your Ability to Communicate

Take control of that “out of sorts feeling” and you’ll also help your team to avoid the kind of cortisol an angry customer might bring…. You’ll find consensus faster. Robyn and I recently held an exciting phone conference with a friend and fellow leader… Barry Burrnett and his Seattle team at BDR.  During the talk I focused on engaging Barry about part of the human brain as it can improve communication.

Robyn, the senior vice-president at the MITA Center , tried to cue me that I had left out one key fact about panic and fear that shuts down our thinking. As she attempted to get my attention, she held up a hand written note, “Avoid Cortisol.” Since my voice was already calm… I smoothed it out to a sorting of crooning in response to ensure no cortisol was leaking in…. 

Robyn intended to trigger a comment to Barry about how cortisol puts us in panic mode … and shuts down the brain’s ability to communicate well. I thought Robyn was saying that my tone  appeared to be in cortisol … and that I should avoid this. Surprised while at Robyn’s suggestion, I decided to take no chances … and I calmed my voice more as I communicated. We laughed at the communication glitch we hit … in spite of the close working relationships we enjoy.

The key to escape cortisol though… is to change your voice… run from negative people… go for a walk… or find some tangible way to be good to you until cortisol stops surging in your brain and positive tone returns. What do you think?

This post comes to us by way of Dr. Ellen Weber, Brain-Based Business Blog.

People speak often of feeding their brain and you hear people naming foods like fish as brain food. Dr. Convit illustrates how a healthy diet may help to cultivate and sustain your memory.

So if you’re looking for brain food … what should land on your plate…. Not surprisingly…  most foods we eat to strengthen our bodies are also good for the brain and for your well-being  too. Dr. Convit, described himself as a “modified vegetarian” who practices what he preaches….

His best advice is to stick to leafy greens, fish, and other foods that carry a low glycemic index.

As someone who has remained alcohol free for the last 20 years, I am attracted to the addictive qualities of mental pleasures. I can even spend a few hours trying to beat my score at Mahjong Masters. But I get too bored with spending enough time online with simple games.

The Hubby is a big World of Warcraft aficionado. Some might point a finger at him, but he insists he’s in control of his gaming.

Here’s a story about computer game addiction recovery centers that might interest you, about a detox center in the Netherlands. But if you know someone who might need help, the article also talks about other treatments available in the U.S. 

Those that favor the right side of the brain:

1). Solve more problems by combining facts…images…and ideas others offer… to lead the group with better solutions….

2). Process new ideas and throw in spontaneous answers to complex problems… the kind that lift eyebrows in a discussion….

3). Design your office so that it inspires better work and reflects the art you most enjoy….

4). Use facial gestures and body language that win you deals that others dream of….

5). Build friendships and lead others in ways they find a willingness to follow….

6). Recognize faces of clients and former associates and remember music that moved your day to new heights….

7). Gather the parts and bits all around you into a vision that other can see and that can take your business to the peaks….

On the other hand, those that prefer acting in more rational ways may use the left side of their brain more frequently:

1). Deal with project details… by breaking them down to one at a time
2). Process information such as an action plan into linear and sequential steps
3). Plan and organize a week for with time in mind
4). Articulate well through speaking … reading … and writing
5). Remember and apply key facts as well as solve arithmetic operations
6). Recognize words and numbers to complete business projects
7). Think logically and in ways that analyze… sort… and use other people’s ideas

The left brain too often get a bum wrap when companies take it for granted in their efforts to use more right brain creativity. Yet, as your storeroom for reason … this side holds power tools for writers… engineers … information technologies and others who need its logical … problem solving … no-nonsense approaches…. It’s also useful to those who plan and structure facts or who compare differences….

Can you identify with this, recognize your work preferences?