The Neuroscience of Sitzfleisch: Why the Human Brain Resists Sitting Still
In a personal essay, a writer shares insights gained from an editor during his early journalism days about the German term Sitzfleisch, emphasizing that many gifted writers fall short due to a lack of concentration. He reminisces about spending countless hours reading in graduate school and acknowledges that not all Sitzfleisch is the same. He references John T. Molloy, who employed a 'GET BACK TO WORK' sign to minimize distractions. Additionally, the essay mentions Daniel Wolpert's 2011 TED talk regarding brain evolution, highlighting the role of the basal ganglia, which develop over three decades and affect impulsivity. The author suggests a spectrum of engagement, exemplified by his son playing Minecraft, concluding that the challenge of remaining still might be crucial to experiencing life fully.
Key facts
- Sitzfleisch is a German word meaning the ability to sit still for a long time.
- John T. Molloy wrote 'How to Work the Competition Into the Ground and Have Fun Doing It' and used a 'GET BACK TO WORK' sign to counter mind drift.
- Neuroscientist Daniel Wolpert gave a 2011 TED talk arguing that brains exist to produce adaptable and complex movements.
- The sea squirt digests most of its brain after finding a permanent rock, as it no longer needs to move.
- The basal ganglia adjudicate competing movement plans and mature during the first thirty years of life.
- Parkinson's and Tourette's disorders involve malfunctioning basal ganglia.
- Isaac Asimov's 1944 short story 'Catch That Rabbit' features a robot named Dave that makes subsidiary robots perform callisthenic exercises when overwhelmed.
- William James's 1890 'The Principles of Psychology' compared thoughts to a river with eddies that create a sense of effort.
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Wolpert
- John T. Molloy
- Isaac Asimov
- William James
Institutions
- TED
- Netflix