Interview with Marcel Danesi’s – Author of Extreme Brain Workouts

The books arrived on Saturday morning and I think I couldn’t part with it until late Sunday evening. Since the dawn of civilization, human beings have been fascinated by puzzles of all kinds. The mommy in me who is always been quizzed on varied subjects absolutely enjoyed the book and the brain workout is all your kids need over that perfect holiday. If you get a chance do some mind mixers too. Its a lot of fun. The widespread popularity of puzzle magazines, “brain-challenging” sections in newspapers, TV quiz shows, game tournaments and of course millions of puzzle websites bears testimony to the power that the puzzle instinct has over us. Millions of people all over the world simply enjoy solving puzzles during leisure time.

Why Puzzles:

Research shows puzzles are a good way to stimulate the brain. Extreme Brain Workout is a series of puzzles designed to engage the core parts of your brain that are responsible for verbal ability, logical thinking and even your IQ. It is for all age groups children to adults. The book is a compilation of puzzles and has a training manual on how to solve them. It is also designed to help activate specific parts of the brain.

Privilege:

It was an absolute privilege to interview Marcel Danesi, the author of the book. The book is designed to teach kids to attack puzzles of any kind more efficiently and intelligently. The kind of techniques you will be learning and practicing systematically in this book will help your kids to see why certain puzzles are best approached in particular ways.

KSP: In this new technology age, where everything is online how is this book going to attract young readers?

The online context is one among others today. As with my own students, I notice that the paper book provides a different but still very powerful way of learning. Online puzzle materials are disorganized or at most offer glimpses into specific areas. My own book brings puzzles into focus in an integrated fashion. The only way to do this online is to publish an e-book.

KSP: With urban kids being outdoors most of the times can you recommend some puzzles that parents can use to boost their kids brain power.

Instilling a love of knowledge today is not as difficult as it may seem. As in the past, it is by example that in my view this love can be imparted. The “big three” genres (crosswords, sudoku, word searches) are the ones that are most attractive to a large segment of people, including young ones. However, if a child shows proclivities towards mathematics, then the logic and mathematical puzzles are more suitable.

KSP: Kids get so bored while travelling, so can you suggest some puzzles that can keep them occupied and enhance their abilities.

Logical puzzles that require more reflective (inductive) thinking get kids involved in the puzzles themselves. Once trapped within it, there is no way out until a solution is found

KSP: With the increase in online games how can kids get interested in puzzle solving?

Games and puzzles share many of the same psychological features (challenge, finding an end result, and so on). Indeed, many games (Scrabble) are versions of puzzles (crosswords). SO, the move over can come by simple exposure.

KSP: What inspired you to write this book?

I really love puzzles and find them satisfying and a boost to the ego, if you know what I mean. I was positive that one can learn how to solve all kinds of puzzles systematically, even if one says they hate them, if they are imparted in a cumulative and easy-to-follow way.

KSP: After two books, what is your next step?

I am currently working on a possible third book in the Harlequin series

If your child is already an accomplished puzzle-solver, you can use this book as a collection to solve during his leisure hours. You will find plenty of puzzles in this book to keep you occupied and entertained. And if your child hasn’t ever tried puzzles before this book will surely get them engrossed and enjoy it  as no advanced knowledge is needed to solve any of the puzzles!

Priced at  Rs 195 per book this is really a brain workout!