Every so often one bumps into a newspaper article or a television show about the puny bit of the human brain that is actually used from day to day. According to these stories, the vaunted proportion of the brain in tangible operation varies roughly between a tenth and a quarter. Of course, there are articles and shows pointing out that such speculations amount to little more than nonsense, but they are few and far between. Whatever the truth may be, it is enough to browse through newspapers and television channels, as well as all the other media, to see that much of what is on offer is mindless twaddle. The good stuff takes at most a twentieth of the total, thus proving the point in a roundabout way. But what is one to conclude from all this? By implication, the situation is deplorable, and something should be done to change it. That is, we should endeavor to get rid of all the soap operas, sports events, reality shows, and singing competitions that boggle the mind with their vacuity. Really? On some reflection, one must conclude that we are rather lucky that most of the human brain is wasted this merry way. Only imagine a world in which millions upon millions of people would not be so thoroughly distracted, thus focusing their brainpower on other pursuits. Like all manner of depravities. Or internecine strife in all its guises. Or wars of conquest and reconquest on whatever pretext. The puny bit of the human brain that is actually used from day to day is already more than big enough.