Our brain is well furnished for life in the jungle and savannah. But when it comes to the lay of the land, here and now in this modern, complex world, some of its furniture may be shopworn, ugly or ill suited.
The brain is hardwired with ancient data perfect for the task of running a tiger or an antelope. But the human brain is open for business and refurbishing, too. Billions of its neurons are not wired in a specific way when we’re born. Happenstance will plug some of them in, but many we can designate. This is where we upgrade, repurpose and rearrange. Let me tell you what I mean. (more…)