[SAIIALEX]

I was told by many of my professors that the best way to increase your brain's "power" is to think constantly.

To increase your knowledge, read a book.

[thecas]

Non one mentioned Chess it seems. Theres a chess world out there.

[Three Gun Fish]

Don't discount the benefits of physical fitness. Your mind is still part of your body, and the healthier you are, the better you eat, the smarter you'll be.

[VTJas81]

Wow this thread is still going on? I was looking into taking some of those brain enhancing pills but I am a little scared of taking them. I think I'll seriously consider them when Im in my thirties. Physical fitness is also an important aspect I never over look. I try to take care of my body by eating right and exercising. Cognitive functions decline when your chronically ill. A study was done showing frequent colds show a faster rate of mental decline as one ages compared to people with less colds.

Originally Posted by Mrpostalot

Do you mind sharing which books changed your life?

One was this book on math tricks that I read in high school. My math use to be horrible back then. I barely passed this md state math exam back in middle school. Now I just got my masters in mechanical engineering, how ironic. Another were these study skills books I bought in college. My first sem GPA at VT was 2.5. After reading those books my next semester GPA was a 3.6. Also, do many puzzle books, they really awaken your mind. There were a couple others but i don't remember.


p.s. My verbal was never a strong skill in my life either. My SAT verbal was 570 and GRE verbal was only 480. Im going to take the LSAT in sept so we'll see how much increase in thinking skills I've acquired over the years since HS. I'll update results when i get them.

[Jay Pan ROKK]

Read.

[Kulus]

There is an interesting dialectic in your discussion between the brain and the mind, a nature vs. nurture argument that has been taking place in the Western Christian-Judeo ethic for many centuries now. Most posters seem to be in favour of increasing the brains ability through various means: chemistry, reading, exercising the mind and body. While the mind is infinite it has no boundaries so I suppose it matters to what you prescribe the mind or the brain?

[SideofKO]

If you want to increase your intelligence, firstly, increase your vocabulary. Seriously. It will make you sound smarter until you've actually reached your goal. LOL.

[tehaleph]

Originally Posted by SideofKO

If you want to increase your intelligence, firstly, increase your vocabulary. Seriously. It will make you sound smarter until you've actually reached your goal. LOL.

lol. Read, do logic and math puzzles if you want to increase your logical abilities, and get a vocab book and do word puzzles (anagrams, analogies ,and things like that) to improve your verbal skills. Reading is probably the most important thing to do here, and not just entertaining stuff like thrillers or horror books: read the classics (google Harold Bloom's Western Canon for a good guide for reading the classics).

[tatz21]

Depends how you're defining intelligence and how you intend to measure it. If you're using IQ tests then getting used to the type of questions asked that will help you achieve a higher score. Sudoku, crosswords, maths and reading. Playing them brain training games will help too.

[SideofKO]

If you want to be "Hood Smart" then I would suggest learning the metric system.

LOL. Seriously, I would take the advice of most people here. I bought a giant book of Mensa puzzles I do to exercise my gray matter when I'm not doing anything else. Which at the moment I'm not seeing as my car is refusing to start.

Read everything. If you want to sound smarter, (or dumber depending on how deep into the conversation you venture) study philosophy. Learn some science. Learn how to hot wire an egg beater. There are all sorts of intelligences that you could wish to strengthen.