In order for a common bloke to obtain a job as a cabbie in London, he must know quite a bit. Indeed, in order to be licensed to drive the famous black cabs, he must know more than quite a bit. Those wishing for such a license must learn no less than 320 routes in central London. These routes are all within a 6 mile radius of Charring Cross. Not only must they learn these routes, they must learn all the intersections and turnabouts along the way, the many names a single street has and where such names apply, and every single theatre, restaurant, club, police station, public building, hospital, hotel, railway station, park, shop, institute of learning, and place of worship, to name a few. In short, they must know where everything is. This is referred to as The Knowledge.
On average, most would-be cabbies study The Knowledge for almost three years in order to make an "Appearance". At the Appearance, the "Knowledge Boy" (or girl as the case may be) will be given two point within London. They then have to, without the aid of a map, find the shortest and most expedicious route, along with all intersections, roundabouts, and turns. In addition to this, they must name what buildings and points of interest they would be passing. Needless to say, hardly anyone passes the Appearance on their first shot. In fact, it's more common for someone to make up to 10 Appearances before receiving their license. The end result is an extremely knowledgable cabbie who knows the labyrinth of downtown London like the back of his hand; and will probably be able to tell you all about the history of each particular building to boot.
What does this have to do with the shape of the brain? Well, scientists in England have recorded the impact of studying for the Knowledge. Tests have proven that over time, as the daunting amouts of knowledge are acquired, the posterior portion of the right hippocampus actually grows. Studies also show that the more veteran cabbies had still larger hippocampi. This is incredible - the human brain has a certain amount of plasticity to it then. It will take all the information thrown at it and alter its shape to accomodate new knowledge. Or at least navagation knowledge.
The cabbies themselves seem nonplused. Said one, "I really try not to think about it myself. But people constantly get in my cab and say, 'My goodness! What a large hippocampus you have!' and I say 'Well, yes'. It's all very embarrassing." Another averred that he "really couldn't remember the hippocampus growing. It makes you wonder what happened to the rest of it." At least we know it didn't affect his sense of humor.
It has been said that no one really fails the Knowledge, they just give up. Science seems to back this up. It really is amazing when you think about it - that the human brain will alter its shape to accomodate more information. Guess that old "my brain is full" excuse doesn't work anymore, does it?
2 comments:
thats so interesting!!
Absolutely fascinating!!! It also seems that most of those cabbies also have to have a certain personality and sense of humor. I've visited London twice and in the cabs heard the same joke about Trafalgar square three times.
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