James “007” Bond insisted on his martinis “shaken, not stirred,” but unfortunately such is not always the case after we get a sudden jolt of surprise. Neuroscientists call this the “post-startle period of cognitive dysfunction,” and last month we detailed the first few seconds after a major scare and what characterizes this “post-startle reflex.” 

For the full article see the AOPA website at: 
https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2019/october/01/the-startle-reflex-shaken-not-stirred-part-two?_ga=2.46867365.300574531.1570654011-649318552.1568313326

Father Time, along with today’s political correctness, has long ago passed by those old James Bond flicks but there are still a few good lines that cause us to chuckle. James had all the gadgets, guns, women, and danger that could only exist in one of those old movies. He also had a penchant for his martinis, but they had to be “shaken, not stirred.” People get stirred up too when something abrupt and unexpected happens; that’s a normal part of our self-defense against danger. Getting all stirred up and startled isn’t the issue, but getting so shaken that you can’t think clearly to solve the problems confronting you is a big problem.

For the full article see the AOPA website at: 
https://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2019/september/01/the-startle-reflex-shaken-not-stirred?_ga=2.82711254.1972346336.1567347327-641640955.1562858525