> After reading lots of posts, and meeting many unicyclists, I have come
> to the conclusion that most unicyclists are very very smart. I believe
> this goes for jugglers as well. For example, I know unicyclists and/or
> jugglers who are engineers, teachers, composers, scientists, writers,
> computer programmers and doctors. Is this just a coincidence or is there
> some link between unicycling/juggling and a person’s I.Q.?
I think there is. I my nearly 22 years involvement I have noticed, since
my early unicycle club days, lots of smart people in unicycling. This does
not mean you have to be smart or an overachiever, but unicycling seems to
attract them.
I think part of it is the long attention span and dedication required to
get you there in the first place. Many people give up, and decide it’s one
of those "I can’t"s and add it to a list of things from which they may
permanently disqualify themselves. When confronted with things like
unicycling and juggling, how often have you heard “I couldn’t do that for
my life!” I’ve heard that phrase a lot.
So to start with, unicycling is built from the pool of people who don’t
have the tendency to say that. Not only do they try it, they stick with it
for the hours, days, or weeks it takes to get success. Also as somebody
mentioned, it is the people who aren’t afraid to look a little stupid or
silly while they’re trying to learn.
Mark Wiggins reminds us of the Internet angle. This unicycling
community, those of us that know each other, are all computer users.
Actual scientific studies have shown that computer users tend to have
higher intelligence (and make more money, etc.) so we at least know that
much is true.
But go to conventions. I’ve been around unicyclists since before the
computer revolution, and there were still lots of smart people. Today’s
smart people just tend to have computers.
From my involvement as an instructor with the National Circus Project, I
learned that the act of learning to juggle forges neural pathways between
the left and right sides of the brain. In theory, juggling makes you
smarter. The same can be projected for unicycling. Every time you learn a
new skill, you force your brain to work hard and possibly form new
pathways. I have heard people suggest that the brain is like a muscle, and
the more you use it the better it gets at thinking.
Riding a unicycle is like a constant stream of problem-solving. Just to
stay on the thing, your brain has to process information at a certain
intensity and speed. Riding a bike requires only a fraction of the
brainpower. Juggling probably uses an amount more similar to unicycling,
though it involves less of the body to keep the juggle up. Both skills
also require lots of problem solving. You had to solve problems to learn
to ride or juggle, and solve more problems to keep them going.
So as unicyclists and jugglers, perhaps we are like mental power-lifters.
We use our brains a lot, so they are better equipped to handle other
thinking situations. This is good for anyone.
Now, what about non-connected unicyclists. That is, people who don’t
regularly use computers? Where do we find them? Conventions, clubs, and
school groups. Not everyone in the group is probably a computer user, but
we get to see them at conventions or parades with the rest of their group.
Everyone in the club or school group is getting mental benefits from
unicycling, even if they don’t take it any further than the basic school
or club activities. They still had to learn to ride, and it’s a benefit
you keep for life.
But the big groups always seem to have a percentage of members who are
followers more than they are leaders, and don’t stand out as much. Club
riders come and go, but we remember the stars. I guess this is true for
anything, but I have noticed over the years that I should have different
expectations from riders if they’re from an elementary school club, or
middle school club, or a hobby club.
School club members may not own their own unicycles. In elementary school,
they usually don’t start until 4th grade or so, and may only have access
to a unicycle a couple of hours per week. By the time the school year is
over, there’s only a limited amount of success they can expect compared to
a rider who owns their own.
Middle or junior high school riders are starting at an older age, which
means a higher state of physical and mental development. They can progress
faster. But they have the same limitations otherwise if they don’t own
their unicycles.
Club riders almost always own their unicycles, and the average skill level
depends on the type of activities the club does. At one extreme is the
Twin Cities Unicycle Club, with multiple gyms and lots of available
practice time. Not to mention coaches at the very highest levels of
unicycle skill. Other unicycle clubs may specialize in parade riding,
which is a whole different approach and doesn’t require as much burning of
the brain cells to learn.
What’s it all mean? It means I’m proud to be a unicyclist. As my friends
have often heard me say, “Unicycling 'been 'berry good to me.”
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com
“Freedom is not free”
but the conclusion should also indicate above-average