For over a century, people have gladly filed themselves into two camps: left-brained and right-brained. If your left brain is dominant, you’re logical and methodical. If your right brain has control of the wheel, you’re creative, emotional and artsy. Certain parts of the brain do control certain things. Language, for instance, is controlled by the left side. It was this discovery, made by neuroscientists Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke in the 19th century, that led to a wider Victorian obsession with “dual-brain theory.” Robert Louis Stevenson played upon it in his novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, in which the protagonists—one good, one evil—turn out to be the two personalities of one man. This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-six Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 22 Pattern & Repetition Science writer Philip Ball speaks on the intertwined relations of our brains and the patterns they perceive. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables. Arts & Culture Design Issue 51 How to Make a Chair And do it on a tiny budget. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Odd Jobs The comedian with strong opinions about your home décor. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Tall Order The hidden depths of height.
Arts & Culture Issue 22 Pattern & Repetition Science writer Philip Ball speaks on the intertwined relations of our brains and the patterns they perceive.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.