Tony Buzan is correctly credited with popularizing modern mind mapping techniques in the 1970s, though the basic concepts of visual thinking can be traced further back. However, many specific claims about mind mapping and brain functioning have been debunked or lack scientific evidence. In particular, the idea that mind maps directly mimic the structure and processes of human memory and thinking has been disproven by modern neuroscience. While mind mapping can be a useful organizational technique, its benefits are more pragmatic and less rooted in how the brain intrinsically functions. Explanations of brain activity require integration across scientific disciplines like neurology, which was not fully mature or informed in the 1960s when mind mapping was first being developed.

1. Strange ideas
usually
associated
with mind
mapping
Image courtesy of alexisdc/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2. • Invented mind
mapping
False
• Popularized
modern mind
mapping
True
Tony Buzan…
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

3. Porphyry of Tyre (280 ac)
Ἡδὲμόνοντοῖςλόγοιςψιλοῖςἡτοῖςμέτροιςκαὶτούτοι
ςεἴτμιγνῦσαμετἀλλήλωνεἴθἑνίτινιγένειχρωμένητ
ῶνμέτρωνἀνώνυμοςτυγχάνειοὖσαμέχριτοῦνῦνοὐ
δὲνγὰρἂνἔχοιμενὀνομάσαικοινὸντοὺςΣώφρονοςκ
αὶΞενάρχουμίμουςκαὶτοὺςΣωκρατικοὺςλόγουςοὐ
δὲεἴτιςδιὰτριμέτρωνἢἐλεγείωνἢτῶνἄλλωντινῶντ
ῶντοιούτωνποιοῖτοτὴνμίμησινΠλὴνοἱἄνθρωποίγε
συνάπτοντεςτῶιμέτρωιτὸποιεῖνἐλεγειοποιοὺςτοὺ
ςδὲἐποποιοὺςὀνοάζουσινοὐχὡςκατὰτὴνμίμησινπ
οιητὰςἀλλὰκοινῆικατὰτὸμέτρονπροσαγορεύοντες
καὶγὰρἂνἰατρικὸνἢφυσικόντιδιὰτῶνμέτρωνἐκφέρ
ωσινοὕτωκαλεῖνεἰώθασινοὐδὲνδὲκοινόνἐστινὉμ
ήρωικαὶἘμπεδοκλεῖπλὴντὸμέτρονδιὸτὸνμὲνποιητ
ὴνδίκαιονκαλεῖντὸνδὲφυσιολόγονμᾶλλονἢποιητή
νὉμοίωςδὲκἂνεἴτιςἅπαντατὰμέτραμιγνύωνποιοῖτ
οτὴνμίμησινκαθάπερΧαιρήμωνἐποίησεΚένταυρο
νμικτὴνῥαψωιδίανἐξἁπάντωντῶνμέτρωνκαὶπο
ιητὴνπροσαγορευτέον
Arbor Porphyriana by BoethiusAristotle’s Categories
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Arbor_porphyrii_%28probably_from_one_
of_Boethius%27_translations%29.png
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k 3
WHO INVENTED MIND MAPPING?
True:

4. Historical perspective
Buzan’s ideas are from the late 1960s, but it was not
until…
It is impossible to know how the human brain works without
using PET, MRI, fMRI or PET/CT.
1975 First PET scanner
1977 First MRI human scan
1991 First fMRI
2000 First PET/CT
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

5. We are still beginning to learn how the human
brain works
• Grand Challenge
Grand Challenge: How Does the Human Brain Work and Produce
Mental Activity? (2008)
“In the deepest sense, we do not know how information is processed,
stored, or recalled; how motor commands emerge and become
effective; how we experience the sensory world; how we think or feel
or empathize. This is because explanations ultimately must be
integrated across levels of analysis, including: molecular, cellular,
synaptic, circuit, systems, computational, and psychological, and until
now the field has not been mature enough to integrate information
across all these disciplines.”
How could anyone be so sure about how the brain works in the 1960s?
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

6. 6
Strange way of reasoning!
Mind maps look like neurons, then mind maps work like the human
brain!
Mapas Mentales y BrainstormingLA FABRICA DE IDEAS
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

7. 1. if you eat leaves, you won’t have heart attacks!
2. the human body works like a tree!
Similar follies!
This leave looks like a human heart, then…
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leaf_shape_in_the_biodiesel_plant_%
284325264514%29.jpg
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

8. “Radiant thinking” Neuroscience Online
The term “radiant thinking”
does not exist in neurology
Search “radiant thinking” in
Google
24,700 results, all related only to
mind mapping
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

9. We only use 1% (or 10%) of our brain
The ten-percent myth
Do We Use Only 10% of Our Brains?
Do people only use 10% of their brains?
False
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

10. • A muscle
False
• An organ
• Practice improves
memory
True
The brain is…
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

11. • a mind-power tool
• a revolutionary
systemFalse
• a very useful
technique
True
Mind mapping is…
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

12. Comments to the “rules” of mind mapping Tony Buzan
• Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
 Why not 2 or 4?
• Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map.
• Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
 Only if you use the mind map to memorize information, for brainstorming
or for creativity. Not to analyze complex problems, to communicate or
archive complex information.
• Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
 Why?
• The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The lines
become thinner as they radiate out from the center.
 There is no need for broader and thinner lines.
• Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
• Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also
for encoding or grouping.
• Develop your own personal style of mind mapping.
 How can you do this if you have to follow these strict rules?
• Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
• Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy or outlines to embrace
your branches.
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

13. Why do people believe these strange things?
Lack of critical
thinking
Irrationality
Mass hysteria?
Recommendations
of “experts”
C) Infoseg, S.A. 2016 http://bit.ly/1Eimh3k

14. Contact Information
José M. Guerrero
jm@infoseg.com
Slideshare presentations
Twitter @InfosegS
Linkedin profile
Web http://www.infoseg.com/mi_01_en.shtml