Which brain do you have?

There's an old Irish proverb that goes like this:

Trí saghas incheann: inchinn reatha, inchinn cloiche, inchinn chéarach.
 
Three kinds of brains: a running brain, a rock brain, a wax brain.

What's all this nonsense? Well, a running brain is probably what we should all aim for. It's one that can critically analyse new information, draw reasonable conclusions, and come up with its own ideas. Assuming this proverb wasn't pulled out of a hat last week (unlikely, but possible!), we can conclude that even our ancestors valued folk who weren't sheep, despite the vast numbers of these ruminants inhabiting the land.

"That fella up front's definitely got a running brain."

A rock brain is one what never changes. You know the type. Rock brainers never, ever adapt their thinking when new knowledge, information, or evidence arrives on the scene. They hold onto what they know and are immovable in their outlook and opinions. OK, we all suffer from what's commonly referred to as cognitive dissonance. Perhaps a good way to combat this is to practice  thinking really hard about why we might be wrong.*

Finally, a wax brain can absorb information easily, making a convincing replicate. But it cannot create anything new. So people with these kinds of brains can seem impressive at first, as they can spew out information with great attention to the detail. But after a while you realise there's no substance, no synthesis, and poor ability to come up with an original thought or observation.

Thankfully, as we're so often told, the brain is plastic (or liquid in my case). In addition, we are on the sprectrum across these brain types. So if you think you're a wax brainer or a rock brainer, or for that matter a worn-out running brainer who needs a break down in rocktown, you can address that. We can stir that bowl of grey matter upstairs around with a bit of attention, creating new habits of thinking and of appreciating knowledge or ideas that don't immediately stick. But I might be wrong.*