Blog Post 9

“The plasticity diminishes as we get older-brains do get stuck in their ways- but it never goes away” (pg. 26).

This quote from chapter 2 explains the important fact that our brains are flexible and can easily change. I thought that this chapter was the most effective and convincing in comparison with the other chapters. Although his arguments tend to be overdrawn, I thought that in the case of chapter 2, with the background information about the brain, it was necessary and personally I thought it was interesting. I thought he did a good job at explaining the neuroplasticity of the brain and it almost felt as if I was reading out of a psychology book. I think by including the background information about the brain strengthens his argument. He really goes deep into the topic explaining the ways in which the brain can change and the history of how it has evolved. Most of his argument explains the nurture side of nature vs. nurture, which I think was what made this part of his argument effective. In some parts of his arguments it is unclear what his purpose is or what he actually believes but in chapter 2 it is clear where he is going. I think the changing or plasticity of our brains plays an important role in his main argument.