This was a fascinating chapter about a white matter called Myelin. It explains that deep practice does not make perfect it makes Myelin!! When we deep practice we are firing optimizing circuits more often. Myelin helps synapses fire at precise moments to make the most optimal things happen. Myelin is wrapped around nerve fibers. In a way it is literally solidifying things that are practiced. My favorite analogy in this chapter described it as installing broadband to our circuitry. Myelin is not particular to a specific talent. Any circuits that get consistently fired are insulated. Myelin plays an intricate part in human skill and learning. The study of myelin is still in it's early stages, but scientists can see it's enormous potential.
When we deep practice, we are firing circuits frequently and we have the opportunity to miss a lot. When we hit it correctly, whatever we are doing, it can literally be solidified by a substance called myelin
Key Terms: Myelin, Oligodendrocytes
The adage that old habits die hard it extremely literal. When I practice incorrectly I am solidifying a negative thing. I'm wrapping the wrong nerve fibers. I'm allowing bad habits to become a semi permanent part of me. That's sort of scary.
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