This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“Before we engage our concentration, we are typically not aware that we are not aware of those details. So not only is our perception of the world a construction that does not accurately represent the outside, but we additionally have the false impression of a full, rich picture when in fact we see only what we need to know, and no more.” – David Eagleman, Chapter 2: The Testimony of the Senses: What is Experience Really Like?, Page 31
“Synesthesia, in its dozens of varieties, highlights the amazing differences in how individuals subjectively see the world, reminding us that each brain uniquely determines what it perceives, or is capable of perceiving. This fact brings us back to our main point here – namely, that reality is far more subjective than is commonly supposed. Instead of reality being passively recorded by the brain, it is actively constructed by it.” – David Eagleman, Chapter 4: The Kinds of Thoughts That are Thinkable, Page 76
“Although pheromones clearly carry signals, the degree to which they influence human behavior is unknown. Our cognition is so multilayered that these cues have been reduced to bit players. Whatever other roles they have, pheromones serve to remind us that the brain continuously evolves: these molecules unmask the presence of outdated legacy software.” – David Eagleman, Chapter 4: The Kinds of Thoughts That are Thinkable, Page 90
Is This An Overview?
Thoughts change through physical modifications of the
brain. Changing the brain physically,
changes how the brain interprets information.
The brain seeks information only when needed, to obtain knowledge useful
during the circumstance. Information
might be present, but the brain will not see the information until
concentration is used. Observing only
what is needed to be known, not more.
The brain gathers information and directs behavior, but the individual
is rarely conscious. The brain runs on
automatic responses, habits. Conscious
awareness comes about when the individual’s expectations are violated. Consciousness is used when dealing with novel
tasks, to resolve problems not faced before, which uses more energy than
similar tasks that the individual has dealt with before.
The World Is Composed Of Subjective Experiences?
Different species have different umwelts, different ways
they engage with and perceive reality.
Even within species, different brains uniquely determine what they
perceive, what they are capable of perceiving.
Reality is more subjective than is understood. Reality is actively constructed by the brain,
rather than passively recorded.
Do You Trust Your Senses?
The brain spends a lot of effort and energy disambiguating
information entering the senses, such as eyes.
The brains fill in missing information from eyes. The individual perceives not what is there,
but what the brain tells the individual.
People are not seeing rich details or aware of most information that
enters the eyes. The brain has change
blindness, as seeing change requires attention that takes energy and
effort. Senese cannot be trusted, as
they can make the individual believe things that are not true.
The Brain Is A Team Of Rivals?
The brain has competitive rivals. Some parts prefer gratifications, others long-term
outcomes. A conflict between emotions
and rational system. Feelings have been
adjusting decisions, such as making wrong behavior feel bad. Emotions and rationality are needed for
appropriate behavior.
Caveats?
This is an introductory book on how the brain processes
information. Making overt what the brain
hides from the individual. The brain is
complex, with much still not understood.
What still needs to be researched is how much free will there is, for
much of how the brain processes information is not independent of the various
conditions and sources that cause certain decisions.
