excerpts from a letter

In closing a letter to a friend who doesn't much care for computers I wrote, "Now keep plugging away at the PC it's good for you."

He responded, "Good for me!!??? In what way??"

I replied,

"It's neuroscience man!

It's all about the synapses!

It is good for all of us to spend time learning new things, forms new synapses in our heads, makes our brains better.

Buy some old math books at the used book store and do some problems everyday.

Learn to play a musical instrument.

Try a foreign language.

Take up painting or drawing.

Learn to work on your car.

Tie flies. (For fishing.)

Start writing everyday.

Learn how to really use the computer or get around on the internet.

All of these things, and millions of others, challenge the mind, make it grow, and that is just plain good for all of us."

The idea expressed here is certainly part of my value system.