I am looking to make lifestyle changes in order to try and become more intelligent
Why do i want to be more intelligent ? i would like to get my head into some type of science, Gerontology interests me. There's no point unless i am well equipped to have a good go at something, so i thought best bet would be to try and get smarter first :-)
Can anyone give advice on what sort of things i need to be doing in order to acheive my goal(s)
For instance, should i buy a nintendo DS and get brain training ? I do alot of exercise, mainly boxing training, only rarely do sparring. So no slacking in that department. Was thinking about getting chessmaster and spending a few hours a week working with chess problems and trying to beat it for the next couple of years lets say. Anyway, what sort of things do other people do in order to achieve the same or simlar goals.
Cheers
Solar ;-)
If we define intelligence as the ability to solve problems, then a lifestyle that brings practice of solving problems seems in order. Perhaps you could have some problem-solver capacity in your workplace? If not, there are plenty of problems that need solving in the world of life extension - have at 'em!
With regard to chess, I play friends online when I have the time, though that is mostly social I am competetive and consequently endeavour to win. I should probably push myself to challenge those friends superior to me in their mastery of the game, as that will helpe to improve more quickly that playing casual games with less experienced friends that I (almost) always trounce.
People speak of transferrable chess skills are; I'm not sure whether this is the case or if it is that the same kind of person likes the various kinds of intellectual challenges in general.
Either way, I enjoy it so it's a good excuse to play.
Interestingly, at work I often play chess with several adults with learning disabilities that I look after. I don't go easy on them aside from always using a defensive opening to prolong the game a bit, and it's amazing to see how much they've improved their game over the time we've been playing (got them started on chess about a year ago now).
How much this cognitive enhancement transfers to other areas of their lives, if at all, I don't know.
One of them has Downes Syndrome and thus is at increased risk of dementia when he gets older, compared to the rest of the population. I think that playing chess may very likely stave off the dementia better than not playing chess, due to the intellectual stimulation it provides.
Edited by David Styles, 01 February 2010 - 11:45 AM.