What sets him apart is having started from his own research interests in brain lateralization, which isn’t of the pop psychology variety but 1000s of serious studies which he analyzes and distills. He says basically everything with a brain is divided similarly into a side for close focused work and one for broad, uncommitted vigilance so that we can do two things simultaneously: get our dinner without becoming some other creature’s dinner.
Interestingly our RH is the one that is on guard while the LH is the one for purpose driven tasks. It is surprising the amount of light that perspective shines on so many topics.
I didn’t know that. Credentials matter but some are not impressed by them. There was a major issue in academia a coupla moons ago. I hope it’s sorted out with all parties happy and satisfied.
Neuroscience is overwhelming. There was this belief that once Number(Lefties) = Number(Righties). Now lefties are down to 10% (?). I guess they end up as dinner or don’t get dinner. Jesus sits at the right hand of God and lefties are sinister. Some people are ambidextrous.
There’s always the advantage in communal living. You can unwind, relax and not worry about dinner.
Another resource for understanding him is this excerpt from a TED talk he gave to which RSA created this animation. It was my introduction and got me on my way reading him too.
I’m curious what your main takeaways from this video are. The impression I get is he’s making a case against reduction and I’m not sure yet whether that’s a view you’d defend or one you’re still weighing.
My understanding is that he draws a distinction between the rational mind that grasps and the intuitive one that perceives, then proposes that our mistake is dismissing the second because it doesn’t work the way the first does. That’s either a point about method or a point about what reality is made of. Hard to tell since the video slides between the two without saying which position he’s actually owning.
That works at some stage of our evolution but at some point in the past we had the same basic needs as every other animal. To get to where we are today our minds were shaped the same way as every other animal with a brain.
Ironic that while we are capable of cooperation we are the biggest threat to our own well being.
Jesus sits at the right hand of God and lefties are sinister. Some people are ambidextrous.
