[extropy-chat] Baby Brains

[Olga Bourlin]

Born with 100 billion neurons, about the same number as stars in the Milky
Way, babies suck in new information and statistically analyze it, comparing
it with what they've previously heard, seen, tasted and felt, constantly
revising their theories of the world and how it works. By 3 years old,
babies have about 15,000 synapses per neuron, three times the synapses of
adults. That's one of the reasons it's easier to learn foreign languages
when you're young. But pruning neural connections at key times, much as
gardeners prune roses in late winter, is also critical so the brain isn't
overwhelmed with extraneous information and can focus on what's important.:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2005/0306/cover.html