How to avoid the Incredible Shrinking Brain

A few weeks ago Posh Spice - one of the true intellectual giants of our time (snark) - claimed that she'd never read a book. I guess that includes her own "autobiography" (snark II). For those of us who have two or three books going at a time or keep a paperback in our purse "just in case," Posh's statement leaves us wondering if she isn't some alien species dropped to earth solely to have a flash-in-the-pan pop career and marry a really famous soccer/football player. Never read a book. Try to imagine that (cue cold chills and unsightly tic of right eye). Now before I go too far in Posh-condemnation, I think she did admit to reading magazines and the occasional newspaper. Maybe. But she didn't mention children's books - she has three boys, so I can only assume that these little fellers aren't getting any brain-input either. Sigh.

In the midst of that news, The Guardian ran a short blurb about what books - or any sorts of intellectual pursuit - do for the brain. Most all of it I already knew, but it's good to have a review every now and then. In short, the brain shrinks as we age - and before you 20-year-olds start rolling your eyes, the shrinking starts around your age, my little kudzu vines. The brain needs to be exposed to new information constantly. Reading is an important way to keep the brain facile as it shrinks away to a dried up little pea (no, no - I don't think it goes that far). The good news for Posh is that there's really no diff between books, magazines, or ads posted to the subway wall, and - here's where she'll luck out, the silly little twit - physical activity counts as well.

Now, I don't care one way or another whether Posh and Becks read (though I do hope someone will learn to read well enough to give their boys a bedtime story now and then). My amazement comes from someone who proudly declares that she hasn't read a book.

She may have all the money in the world, but she certainly isn't rich.

It's a beautiful morning here in Atlanta, finally cooling down to the 70s. The remnants of hurricanes won't blow through until next week. Enjoy your Saturday, wherever you are.