Jab we think

After watching ‘The Simpsons Movie’ a few months back, I stepped into the theatre to watch. ‘Jab we met’

Since there were no tickets, I and two other b-school friends decided to go for the Sunday early morning show.

Quite a few people were watching the 9.15 AM show.

“This can happen only in Chennai. So many people for a movie so early in the morning.” One of my friends said. We all agreed.

It is also no coincidence I think that Chennai airport is at its busiest from 6 AM to 7 AM. Probably one of the few cities where people would get up so early to catch a flight!

As we watched the movie, a particular scene in the movie had me thinking. There was a discussion around following the heart versus following the brain while facing tough situation in life. One of the protagonists suggested that whenever life throws up a problem, following what the heart says needs to be followed. There was no need to 'think' deeply and further confuse oneself. (I hope I understood what the movie was trying to convey!)

But what is this “Follow your heart”? The heart can’t think can it? Surely the heart itself is controlled by the brain.

I vaguely remembered that during my biology classes in school, I had read about the left and the right part of the brain. Scientists believe that the right part of the brain is the 'creative' part. Maybe I am wrong, but I think in layman's terms the right part of the brain is essential if we want to write poetry, paint etc. The left part of the brain on the other hand is the 'analytical' part. Probably required most while solving those dreaded derivative problems in XII standard school!

Coming to think of it, perhaps our education focuses more on the right part of the brain than the left. I mean, Maths, Commerce and Science were always the focus atleast in my schooling days.

Rephrasing the predicament faced by the protagonists in the movie, I suppose the real question should be whether to follow the left or the right brain while solving a problem.

I think the answer as in many cases lies somewhere in between. We need to use both.

How do we use both parts of the brain effectively? That would the topic of another article some day!