Back in 1992, the Discovery Channel had a fascinating 3-part series called "Brain Sex." The program showed early results of using PET scans on male and female test subjects as they performed different cognitative tasks.

One part of the study that was especially memorable was on verbal communications. For the male test subjects, the PET scan showed only a small percentage of their brains were active. In contrast, the brains of the female test subjects were almost completely lit up.

From a medical perspective, this could show why female stroke victims whose speech center was affected have less trouble recovering than male victims.

It may also show why men and women have so much trouble communicating. The humor columnist Dave Barry once wrote, "Women would rest a lot easier if they understood that men are just as simple as we seem."

For example, a man might say something like, "I like hamburger."

Upon hearing that, a man understands that the other guy likes hamburger.

On the other hand, a woman is likely to think something like:

"He said he likes hamburger. What does he really mean? Doesn't he like chicken? Or pork? He doesn't like MY chicken! Is our relationship in trouble? Is he planning on breaking up with me? Does he think my thighs are too big?......"

All he meant was, "I like hamburger."

Men are from Earth, women are from Earth. Get over it.