The Half-Lesson: Your Brain Is Not for Thinking

“Your brain’s primary function is to manage your body.”

Historically, simpler life forms thrived as hunters and did not require complex brains. Those that survived were adept at perceiving their environment, gaining advantages through sophisticated movement and speed.

This survival depended on effective body management, akin to financial budgeting. The fewer unexpected challenges faced, the better. The creatures that could accurately predict outcomes, make minimal errors, and learn from experiences were more likely to pass on their genes. Learning from the past is crucial for effective prediction.

Lesson 1: You Have One Brain, Not Three

The notion of a triune brain—divided into three layers for survival, emotions, and thought—is a common misconception.

By the 21st century, this concept was dismissed by scientists.

"As brains evolved, they reorganized."

Current knowledge reveals that our brain structure resembles that of bloodsucking lampreys; the differences are due to varying developmental timelines.

"The neurons in your brain share similarities with those found in other mammals and likely other vertebrates."

This indicates that no species is inherently inferior; rather, each is uniquely adapted to its environment.

Lesson 2: Your Brain Is a Network

This network remains active throughout your life, adapting based on environmental and bodily influences. Your brain is in a constant state of flux, shaped by neurotransmitters like glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine, which affect signal transmission.

Gradual changes in your brain are termed plasticity, representing newly acquired knowledge. Meanwhile, neurotransmitters induce quicker changes. A single neuron can perform multiple functions, exemplifying degeneracy.

“Degeneracy in the brain implies that actions and experiences can manifest in various ways.”

Complexity also plays a role, enabling versatile thought processes. More complex brains exhibit enhanced memory, creativity, adaptability, and resilience to injuries.

“Interestingly, your brain's network extends into your gut, where microbes communicate with it via neurotransmitters.”

Lesson 3: Little Brains Connect to Their Environment

Human brains are essentially under construction at birth, a process that spans roughly twenty-five years. This is why an infant's neural wiring is influenced by both physical and social surroundings.

Two significant processes occur: tuning and pruning.

• Tuning: Strengthening connections among neurons. A myelin sheath acts as insulation, facilitating faster signal transmission.
• Pruning: Weaker connections diminish, making space for new learning opportunities.

Initially, infants rely on caregivers for physical support and nourishment. They learn best when given space to explore their own body management.

Next, attention becomes critical. Through shared attention, children discern which environmental elements are significant, integrating these into their niche.

Lastly, sensory development occurs. Common sounds become tuned in, while rare sounds are often disregarded, which may explain why children typically acquire languages and recognize familiar faces more easily.

In summary, children's brains require a social environment for optimal development. Neglecting these social needs can lead to intellectual deficiencies and health issues.

Lesson 4: Your Brain Predicts Almost Everything You Do

“Marcel Duchamp once stated that an artist contributes only 50% to the creation of art; the other 50% lies within the viewer's mind.”

Your brain is responsible for all sensory experiences: sight, sound, and touch.

Ivan Pavlov famously trained a dog to salivate at the sound of a bell, linking it to food. This classical conditioning earned him a Nobel Prize, demonstrating that the dog's brain anticipated feeding based on sound alone.

Your predictions guide your actions, which in turn shape your sensory experiences. Actions often precede thoughts, with your history influencing your behavior. Although the past remains unchanged, future predictions can be adjusted, fostering a more harmonious existence. By practicing a new skill, it can become second nature, as your brain adapts through tuning and pruning.

“You can challenge the beliefs instilled in you during childhood. Changing your niche today influences your brain's predictions for tomorrow, driving your future actions.”

Lesson 5: Your Brain Collaborates with Other Brains

“Changes within one person's body can trigger corresponding changes in another’s, regardless of their relationship.”

When trust is present, individuals tend to mimic each other's movements. Holding hands can alleviate pain. Close relationships contribute to longevity; caring for one another can enhance health.

“‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” — Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Breakups can feel akin to losing a part of oneself because they are deeply impactful. The less familiar someone is with you, the more challenging it is for them to empathize. Our nervous systems help us navigate temporary changes in metabolism. Stress can parallel exercise, while withdrawal can lead to personal growth. Excess in any form can harm health.

“Your nervous system interacts with the behaviors of others, for better or worse.”

Human beings require social connections to thrive, creating a delicate balance between dependence and independence. The cost of freedom is the accountability for its impact on others. To be understood, one must refine their communication.

Lesson 6: Brains Generate Various Minds

Human minds vary significantly. Even within a single culture, mental functioning is not uniform.

“Each individual is born with a foundational brain structure that can be wired in diverse ways, leading to different kinds of minds.”

If all brains were identical, humanity might have faced extinction. The human mind likely lacks a universal characteristic other than mood, which differs from emotion.

Moods can shift from pleasant to unpleasant and from active to dormant.

Your mind is malleable. Adapting to a new culture can reshape your brain, a process known as acculturation. No mind is inherently superior; some are simply more attuned to their surroundings. We are a single species, yet our minds are not identical.

Lesson 7: Our Brains Shape Reality

“We exist within a social reality constructed solely in our minds.”

While physical reality—our planet—is tangible, social realities exist within our brains and are often treated with utmost seriousness.

“Your brain’s predictions, rooted in social realities, influence your perceptions of food and drink.”

To craft social reality, five elements are essential:

1. Creativity: The conceptualization of national borders.
2. Communication: Utilizing language more effectively than symbols.
3. Copying: Establishing laws and norms crucial for survival.
4. Cooperation: Collaborating with others to achieve basic needs.
5. Compression: Enabling abstract thought, which contributes to social constructs.

These five elements can also be observed in other species, but in humans, they are intertwined. So far, we are the only animals capable of creating social realities. Abstraction allows us to derive meaning from objects, such as viewing flowers or watches as gifts celebrating achievements.

We categorize people with labels like gender, race, and nationality, treating them as concrete realities, even though they are not. It’s vital to recognize our significant influence and responsibility in shaping reality.

“A superpower is most effective when one acknowledges its existence.”

For more insights similar to these, subscribe to my weekly newsletter.