Head First 2D Geometry

you are here 4 xix

the intro

Great. Only

330 more dull,

dry, boring pages.

We know what you’re thinking.

And we know what your

brain

is thinking.

“How can this be a serious geometry book?”

“What’s with all the graphics?”

“Can I actually learn it this way?”

Your brain craves novelty. It’s always searching, scanning, waiting for

something unusual. It was built that way, and it helps you stay alive.

So what does your brain do with all the routine, ordinary, normal things

you encounter? Everything it can to stop them from interfering with

the brain’s real job—recording things that matter. It doesn’t bother

saving the boring things; they never make it past the “this is obviously

not important” filter.

How does your brain know what’s important? Suppose you’re out for

a day hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens inside your

head and body?

Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.

And that’s how your brain knows.

…

This must be important! Don’t forget it!

But imagine you’re at home, or in a library. It’s a safe, warm,

tiger-free zone. You’re studying. Getting ready for an exam. Or

trying to learn some tough math thing that your teacher is going to

test you on tomorrow.

Just one problem. Your brain’s trying to do you a big favor. It’s trying

to make sure that this obviously non-important content doesn’t clutter

up scarce resources. Resources that are better spent storing the ...