“You do not remember? That was a semester ago and you do not remember. Shouldn’t you all have a memory which will be good for at least 4 years to store everything you have to remember since you’re already in College? Maybe you should have a list of the most important things so you can just dump or forget everything else and just leave those of greater value in your memory. Your memory is that limited after all.”

Overconfident? No. He is one of the best instructors in our college and he has the right to speak the way he did. We respect him. I respect him and look up to him. I thank the Divine for his existence, his knowledge, his talents and his ability to share them. His confidence, however, is not the gist of this imparted piece of wisdom.

Have you heard of that saying that humans usually use only 10 percent of their brains? It’s just a myth really. A study suggests that “there is no cerebral spare tire waiting to be mounted in service of one’s grade point average, job advancement, or the pursuit of a cure for cancer or the Great American Novel.” It also said that “the 10-percent myth is one of those hopeful shibboleths that refuses to die simply because it would be so darn nice if it were true.” Where this myth truly stems from is a psychologist whose real intention was to impart the perception that our potential as humans is what should be developed and focused on (and not an unused part of the brain). The myth basically came from a psychologist’s words being misconstrued.

Now let’s try and face the fact that the current capability of our brain might be the best it’s ever going to be. Limits. Yes, the existence of limits. Bummer, isn’t it?

Most of the time, I go to bed without finishing all of the tasks I should have accomplished; or I’ve gone home when I should have attended meetings/parties. Before exams, I give up on studying when I feel like I’ve done enough. Memory Full — the status of my brain. “Your memory is that limited after all.” Is he suggesting then that we focus only on academics? On the right (and by right I mean useful) type of knowledge and never have space for our favorite TV shows or lyrics from our favorite songs? I do not think so. Because I believe this to be utterly impracticable. Nevertheless, there is a lesson to be learned. Given the fact that our memory, as well as our energy, is limited. Are we investing in all the wrong places?