I enjoy solving crosswords because:
1) It's a very effective way to better understand American culture.
2) I love learning new things and new words.
3) I don't want to get Alzheimer's when I am old.
What's your raison d'être? Please share with us.
C.C.
25 comments:
cc I support all of the reasons you listed but I think the strongest one is number 3. I don't want to get Alzheimer's when I am old.
I go to the gym for physical exercise and do crossword puzzles to keep the "old gray matter' in shape.
I do them because I love doing them, and all the reasons you listed. Physical exercise too. Have to stay in shape in body and mind.
I do them so I can gloat to my friend Jim... if I get it done first.
who can explain an addiction?
Probably #2 of the ones you listed, plus I love personal challenges.
I do puzzles for all the reasons you listed, but most of all I find trivia fascinating.
I do them because they are fun and you learn new words and trivia. The other reasons are good as well but #2 is my main one.
I love your site, you help me help my husband, Gene. He works it everyday.. , for all the reasons stated!Me? you make me laugh with your comments and help me complete it. I even had a kind reply from a great marine..It has been great therapy for me and I love you all.Have a great day , OH , HAVE A GREAT YEAR...Bless you all..
I do them for the same reason I do most things in life -- because I enjoy doing them!
Plus, I tend to do them first thing in the morning over breakfast and find it's a wonderful way to get my brain in gear for the rest of the day...
I enjoy the challenge of doing crosswords and I get a feeling of satisfaction if and when I am able to complete one without help. it is a great stimulant for an eighty three year old brain.
I do it every day at lunch with ~4 other co-workers. It's nice way to socialize with collegues, as well as gives me something to look forward to.
nana, my pleasure. Thanks for the compliment.
Here a couple of comments misplaced at the other Comments section.
From MH:
why do I do them? I like the activity of solving a puzzle. I guess it's the mental challenge. I think it's a myth that solving crossword puzzles will prevent dementia. It's probably the other way around - those who solve puzzles aren't as susceptible to dementia.
May 8, 2008 9:39 AM
From Bill,
Why do I put myself through the humbling experience of a crossword??
I guess it's because I need to know how much I don't really know and if my memory could pull out all the mundane verbiage I've used and heard in the past it just would'nt be fun anymore, would it??
Oh...and, doing the puzzle also fills the couple hours between my awakening and my Mom's getting up and having to tend to her needs throughout the day. I only hope that I can get to 94 and be as alert as she is (most of the time).
Enough rambling: those are the reasons and I'm sticking to my story !!!
May 8, 2008 10:01 AM
All of the above.
Dr.g
cc BTW, I love you site. This is where I go when I finally am stumped.
I have done volunteer work for the Alzheimer's Association (my mom and uncle had the disease) and they have a "Maintain the Brain" motto.
However, the initial belief that this kind of mind work would keep one from getting Alzheimer's is only one factor. If you are overweight and have other health issues doing all the crossword puzzles in the world won't help.
My mother did crosswords and was a professional musician and, due to health issues, still got "it" even though she was maintaining her brain very well!
I support all your reasons. I like to do the this puzzle in the a.m. and do others at night so I guess I am addicted!
cc my mother worked crosswords every day, read extensively and maintained a rather low level of physical activity and still got dementia. Perhaps that is why she was 93 before it sat in and she lived to 97 without too much problem. I always thought the reason she was so alert was because of the activities she had, both mental and physical.
Below are 2 comments from MH.
Yes, it is a commonly held belief that doing crossword puzzles, playing bridge, etc. will stave off dementia. However, there is a growing body of evidence to the contrary. Check out this article in Wired Magazine. There are 6 myths listed, Doing Crosswords is the second one.
I recently read (and highly recommend) the book "Brain Rules" by John Medina in which he shows that *physical* exercise (Brain Rule #1) is the most important thing we can to do to keep our neurons connecting. Physical exercise gets blood to the brain bringing with it glucose and oxygen. Research has shown that aerobic exercise just twice a week halves your risk of dementia and cuts risk of Alzheimers by 60%.
May 8, 2008 11:37 AM
Thomas, you are welcome and I hope you enjoy the reading. Brain Rules is a very engaging book especially if you are in education. I have one more brainy recommendation: Kluge by Gary Marcus.
May 8, 2008 2:00 PM
Well its like I've always said, "It's better to have a cross word than no words at all!" LOL
Life is too short not to have fun! When I go I want to be completely spent. Battered, bruised, and completely satisfied.
This is just one way to enjoy life, new things, and with this blog, meet new friends.
I'm trying to determine your birth year; not long ago. Most of the answers you say 'I've never heard of," are common names or words to this 'old fogey.'
However, I still enjoy your comments.
Keep it up.
Retread38,
I was born in 1971. My ignorance just knows no bounds!
This is the second day in a row of dumb clues. Who has ever heard of this rediculous quote. Not only have I never heard of it, but it absolutely makes no sense once said. I hope for improvement. Again, this is the second of two dumb puzzles in a row. Please pick it up. Thank you.
I started solving crossword puzzles in 1981 (ninth grade) as a way to improve vocabulary. I was born in India and used to read the Times of India daily which had one of the hardest puzzles to solve. This definitely helped me in my verbals when I took the GREs when I came to the US for grad school. Once I was able to solve consistently, I was just hooked. Its been 27 years and counting. Coffee is my other addiction.
Washpost Solver,
Are you aware that Times of India's puzzle is a TMS syndication also?
No, I did not know that the Times of India carries the TMS puzzle.
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