From shadows to the stars

Have you ever noticed those facts which begin with "Did you know that...?". What I have observed is that most of those facts are utter crap. I have come across some so called facts about the human brain and how it functions in my lifetime. I have marveled at these for quite a long while, but suddenly, those "facts" have been crushed. Apparently, they aren't facts at all. They are but rumours and myths that have been propagated among the masses due to various reasons. Here, I shall mention a few that I think most people have heard of and believe to be true. 1) "We only use 10% of our brains" This was probably the most astounding thing I had heard about the brain. To use just 10% but to have achieved so much progress, the human brain must be the most incredible thing. But. No, we don't use only 10% of our brains. We use most of our brain, for one purpose or another. This is probably the biggest myth related to brain function ...

Firstly, the very method of testing a person's knowledge via "examinations" is in itself questionable. Let us say that we excuse it's many shortcomings and accept it as the norm. Yes, exams need to have rules and regulations. I wouldn't like people to be able to copy and cheat in an exam (this may be a controversial opinion for many of my peers, but what the hell).  What irks me though are the totally irrational and nonsensical rules that are implemented in exams (at least in my college, if not for everyone). 1) No leaving before the stipulated time has passed. If the exam is, say, for 3 hours, the student is not allowed to leave until those 3 hours have passed. Even if he/ she has finished the exam. You are expected to just sit there and stare into space. 2) Okay. Don't let me leave until the regulated time. But at least, let me sleep! But, no. Sleeping in the exam hall is considered as a sacrilege. "How dare you sleep in the exam...