Interesting book about human cognition from biology / neurology perspective
In the age of "intelligent machines" questions about conscious and "sub-conscious" are becoming even more relevant, how to differentiate autonomous from intentional and controllable behavior.
Some people assume that all behavior is intentional, controllable and train-able.
But the biology suggests much more nuanced picture...
Well written book, founded on science.
Amazon.com: Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain eBook : Eagleman, David: Kindle Store
In this sparkling and provocative new book, the renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate surprising mysteries: Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you become consciously aware of danger ahead? Why do you hear your name being mentioned in a conversation that you didn’t think you were listening to? What do Ulysses and the credit crunch have in common? Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant in 1916? Why are people whose names begin with J more likely to marry other people whose names begin with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? And how is it possible to get angry at yourself—who, exactly, is mad at whom?
Amazon.com: David Eagleman: books, biography, latest update
an American neuroscientist, bestselling author, and science communicator. He teaches neuroscience at Stanford University[1] and has founded several neurotech startups.
Summary
Incognito by David Eagleman | Summary, Quotes, FAQ, Audio @sobrief
Key Takeaways- Our unconscious brain drives most of our behavior
- Perception is a constructed reality, not an objective representation
- The conscious mind has limited access to our decision-making processes
- Our brains are composed of competing subsystems
- Human behavior emerges from complex gene-environment interactions
- Free will and blameworthiness are problematic concepts in light of neuroscience
- Understanding the brain can lead to more effective social policies
- Consciousness may be an emergent property of complex neural systems
- Neuroscience challenges traditional notions of human nature and the self
Podcasts
Science & Tools of Learning & Memory | Dr. David Eagleman - Huberman Lab
This discussion with Dr. David Eagleman covers the fascinating science of neuroplasticity, memory, time perception, and even cultural polarization. Here are some key takeaways and interesting thoughts from the conversation:
Neuroplasticity: The Brain's Ability to Change (2:35)
- Fundamental Human Trait: Our brains are "half-baked" at birth, allowing the world to wire up the rest, making humans highly adaptable and successful as a species (3:30-5:56).
- Constant Reconfiguration: The brain's 86 billion neurons are constantly reconfiguring, plugging and unplugging connections, and changing their strength every second of our lives (4:29-5:07).
- Efficiency Driven: Plasticity makes tasks fast and efficient. When you repeatedly perform an action, it moves from "software to hardware" in the brain, reducing the energy required for that task (15:57-16:50).
- Cortex Flexibility: The cortex, the outer 3 millimeters of the brain, is a "one-trick pony" that gets defined by what's plugged into it. This means areas typically associated with one sense can be repurposed for another if inputs change (6:41-8:01).
- No Blank Real Estate: If one sense is lost (e.g., blindness or deafness), the brain reallocates that "real estate" to other senses or tasks, leading to heightened abilities in those areas (9:30-10:07).
- Savantism Hypothesis: One theory suggests savantism might result from an individual's brain devoting vast amounts of "real estate" to a specific task, leading to superhuman ability at the cost of other skills (10:37-11:05).
Enhancing Plasticity and Brain Health (28:18)
- Seek Novelty & Challenge: The most crucial way to extend plasticity, especially as we age, is to constantly challenge the brain with new and difficult tasks. Stay between "frustrating but achievable" (29:02-29:21).
- Active Engagement: Studies like the "religious orders study" show that maintaining social responsibilities, chores, games, and constant interaction keeps the brain active and can even compensate for physical degeneration like Alzheimer's (29:39-30:55).
- Avoid Stagnation: Retiring and becoming sedentary can lead to poorer outcomes as the brain is no longer challenged (30:43-30:55).
- Beyond Puzzles: Once you're good at something like crossword puzzles, stop and find something new you're not good at to continue challenging your brain (31:21-31:35).
- Frustration as a Signal: The agitation and frustration felt when learning something new are neurochemical signals (like adrenaline and norepinephrine) that tell the brain, "This is different; re-wire!" (32:07-32:35).
Technology, Learning, and Future Skills
- Internet and Curiosity: The internet allows for instant access to information, which can lead to quick absorption and retention of knowledge (20:22-20:42). This also dissolves social dominance related to knowledge, as information can be quickly checked (21:20-21:57).
- Core Future Skills: For children, given the uncertainty of future careers, the main skills to cultivate are critical thinking and creativity (24:19-24:33).
- Critical Thinking Tool: AI Debate: Use AI to debate hot-button issues, grading based on argument quality, and then switch sides to gain a 360-degree view and avoid ideological capture (24:50-25:27).
- Creativity Tool: Remixing: Teach foundational material and then dedicate time for students to "remix" it, bending, breaking, blending, and creating new versions to foster creativity (25:31-26:11).
Time Perception (1:00:50)
- The conversation touches on how stress and novelty can affect our perception of time, making stressful or novel events seem to unfold in slow motion (1:24-1:34, 1:12:53).
Neuromodulators and Plasticity (32:41)
- Equipotentiality of Neuromodulators: It appears that boosting various neuromodulators (dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin) can all open a window for plasticity (32:36-33:04).
- Acetylcholine as a Key: Acetylcholine is highlighted as a primary neuromodulator for plasticity, particularly when a young brain is trying to make sense of the world or when an adult brain needs to make small, localized changes (34:08-34:54).
- Complexity of Tweakings: Manipulating neuromodulator levels can have unexpected side effects, as seen with Parkinson's medications and hypercompulsive gambling (35:08-35:58).
- Differential Plasticity: Primary sensory areas (like primary visual cortex) become less plastic early in life, while downstream areas that process new information (like recognizing faces or brands) remain plastic throughout life (36:09-37:25).
Related
- Core Idea: Minsky proposes that the mind is not a single, unified entity but a vast collection of smaller, specialized "agents" that work together to produce intelligence.
- Modern Relevance: This concept is directly applicable to contemporary AI, where researchers are moving away from monolithic models (like massive single-function Large Language Models) towards modular, multi-agent architectures to build more robust and general AI systems. It is considered a must-read for beginners in AI and offers a deep, philosophical perspective on the fundamental challenges of creating conscious machines.
