David Eagleman

Incognito

19min

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Like every other organ in our body, the human brain has been formed through the long process of evolution to ensure the survival of our species. Most of us have an inkling that it is highly complex, yet we still believe that we have full control over our perceptions, our thoughts and our actions. In his book, Incognito, the Secret Lives of the Brain, David Eagleman explains how much power the unconscious mind has over the conscious one, and that most of what we think and do is driven by automated processes, which, he explains, is a good thing!

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Analysis and key concepts

01.

The human species is the only one which seeks to decipher its own complex functioning, by studying the brain

02.

Everything has a physical dimension, including our thoughts, since they depend on what happens in our brain

03.

We are ineffective observers because we overestimate what our senses tell us

04.

Vision does not exist in isolation when we choose to observe the world: our brain has to learn how to see

05.

The sensory system is a modulator of information, not a generator

06.

Consciously thinking about some unconscious activities that we do would lead us to make mistakes

07.

The circuits of our brain are set up to promote behaviours that will ensure our survival

08.

Our perception of beauty is found in the depths of our brain

09.

In the words of Walt Whitmans, every human being “contains multitudes”

10.

Rational vs emotional systems: how we make decisions

11.

Illness or other events can change the brain, and consequently, our behaviour

12.

Rehabilitation is better than punishment: a legal system that is compatible with the front of our brain

13.

Can we really know who we are? Neuroscience does not have all the answers yet

14.

Quotes

15.

Take-home message

01. The human species is the only one which seeks to decipher its own complex functioning, by studying the brain

The human brain weighs just over a kilo, and is contained in the neurocranium, or braincase. It is gelatinous, and is made up of neurons and glial cells, each of which has a degree of complexity comparable to that of an entire city. Neurons communicate with each other through connections: this system is also extremely complex, in fact, in a cubic centimetre of brain matter, there are as many connections as there are stars in the Milky Way.

Both the actions and perceptions of our entire body are governed by the brain and nervous system, which works like a computer which collects and processes millions of pieces of information. As far as we know, human beings are the only living species that have ever attempted to decipher their own workings, that is, the functioning of the perfect and wonderful machine we call the brain.

02. Everything has a physical dimension, including our thoughts, since they depend on what happens in our brain

03. We are ineffective observers because we overestimate what our senses tell us

04. Vision does not exist in isolation when we choose to observe the world: our brain has to learn how to see

05. The sensory system is a modulator of information, not a generator

06. Consciously thinking about some unconscious activities that we do would lead us to make mistakes

07. The circuits of our brain are set up to promote behaviours that will ensure our survival

08. Our perception of beauty is found in the depths of our brain

09. In the words of Walt Whitmans, every human being “contains multitudes”

10. Rational vs emotional systems: how we make decisions

11. Illness or other events can change the brain, and consequently, our behaviour

12. Rehabilitation is better than punishment: a legal system that is compatible with the front of our brain

13. Can we really know who we are? Neuroscience does not have all the answers yet

14. Quotes

15. Take-home message

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Many useful tips to:

Investigate the depth of the subconscious brain to illuminate its mysteries.
Understand why what we perceive isn’t actually real.
Learn about the mechanisms we use to make decisions.

The author

David Eagleman is a pioneer in the field of neuroscience, and is currently a professor at Stanford University. He specialises in sensory substitution, synaesthesia, visual illusions, and time perception. His research has enabled him to found some of the most cutting-edge companies in the field, such as Neosensory and BrainCheck. He is also the author of several bestsellers that have been translated into over thirty languages, and works as a consultant for a wide range of organisations, from film production companies to the World Economic Forum.

Edition

Publishing house:

Vintage Books

Year:

2012

Pages:

304

ISBN:

978-0307389923