What is the "phonics" system of reading?

What is the "look/say" system of reading?

> Even the
> brightest among us use less than 10% of
> their brain's potential.

Where did you hear/see/read this?

I am yet to find any scientific evidence that a test was carried out to determine how much brain we use. Let alone a test which was conducted which concluded we only use less than 10% - or even 10%.

To my knowledge the 10% thing was an off-handed comment made some 60 odd years or more ago, which was publicised by the media and which has since been proclaimed as gospel.

Michael Ross