Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the misconception surrounding the idea that humans only use 10% of their brains, as popularized by the movie "Lucy" starring Scarlett Johansson. He explains that this misconception originated from a misinterpretation of a statement made by a scientist about the complexity of the brain and our limited understanding of it. Despite the innocent intent of the original statement, it was later misquoted and perpetuated as the belief that humans only utilize a small fraction of their brain capacity. Tyson suggests that this misconception persists because it aligns with the desire to believe in untapped human potential and the possibility of personal growth. Through this analysis, Tyson highlights the importance of critical thinking and the need to question commonly held beliefs, even if they appeal to our desire for self-improvement and advancement.
