I’m creative analytical. I love mind mapping, the trainer says, standing at the whiteboard.

Now, I don’t think that everyone loves mind mapping. I don’t think Buzan was right about that one. I think some people love it but some people loathe it.

Who’s Buzan?

Is that a male/female brain thing? Asks a man at the other table. We all have our names handwritten, propped up on the desks in front of us, but his is out of my view.

Well, says the trainer, we all know which one is superior, Aidan, and I don’t want to embarrass you by stating it.

Some chuckles from the room. We’re only halfway through the morning session.

Because, she continues, we all know women are more verbal, they like talking things through. But did you know that there is a place in the male brain where they can go to do absolutely nothing? Did you know that? They call it the Nothing Room.

Pause for effect. Are we going to have to mind map this?

That’s true, you know. The Nothing Room. Absolutely nothing in there. I think that explains a lot, doesn’t it Aidan?

We wait as she remembers how this tangent began. I’m so hungry.

But to be honest Aidan, she says, with mind mapping it’s not like that.

To be honest, she says, Mind mapping transcends gender.

*

A version of this post was sent by email on the 3rd December 2017 as part of Internet Care Package.

ICP is a weekly email that includes memoir-ish snippets like the one above, links to great articles and dog memes. This blog is a select archive of those emails. Subscribe to get them right in your inbox.

Like this? Share to Facebook | Tweet | Email link

Want to help me make more things? Follow me on Instagram | Buy me a coffee | Buy my play

*