In class, we discussed mirror neurons, and the role they play in learning. Mirror neurons make it so that anytime we watch someone else complete a task or do something, parts of our brain act as if we ourselves are doing that task. This explains how humans and even monkeys are able to complete tasks such as solving a simple puzzle on the first try if they watch someone else complete the task first.

I find mirror neurons extremely interesting when we consider the phenomenon of sports. No matter what culture you look at in any time period, sports usually has played a significant part in that culture. This can be explained by mirror neurons. While watching any sport, parts of the brain fire as if they belonged to the person playing that sport. The saga of a buzzer-beating three-pointer or a last-second touchdown are not only watched by people, they are in part experiences by the people watching. When you consider this, the resulting multi-billion dollar industry that has formed around sports of all kinds all over the world makes a little more sense. People become so invested in sports because part of what goes into watching sports are the same feelings that go into playing sports.

I am further interested in what attracts particular people to become interested in sports while others do not feel that interest. Do different people have differing levels of mirror neuron activity or strength? Or is it simply that a lack of interest in sports will result in a lack of interest in the feelings produced while watching sports. I would find it very interesting to see if people who are not interested in sports have the same level of mirror neuron activity as people who are deeply invested in sports. Perhaps the brain could be shown to model its activity after what interests an individual has.