Paul Bloom, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto and Yale, dives into the depths of the human mind. He reveals whether we truly remember everything we've experienced and why babies might be smarter than we think. Bloom discusses the evolution of consciousness, critiques attachment theory, and contrasts Freudian and Skinnerian thoughts. He also explores the balance between intuition and rationality in decision-making, leading to interesting insights on happiness and how to live a good life.
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insights INSIGHT
Consciousness Mystery
We don't know why consciousness evolved or its function, but it likely arises from the brain.
Access consciousness is information readily available to us, while phenomenological consciousness is the subjective "feel" of experience.
insights INSIGHT
Types of Consciousness
Access consciousness, information available for reasoning, is needed for higher-level thinking.
Phenomenological consciousness, the "feel" of experience, is more mysterious and may be a byproduct.
insights INSIGHT
Memory's Fallibility
Human memory is not a perfect recording; much of what we experience is lost.
Recalling memories involves reconstruction, making them susceptible to distortions and leading questions.
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In *Psych: The Story of the Human Mind*, Paul Bloom provides a riveting exploration of psychology, delving into questions about intelligence, consciousness, and emotions. The book offers insights into pressing moral and political issues, such as conspiracy theories and implicit racial bias, while also discussing practical applications in treating mental illnesses and achieving happiness.
The Invisible Gorilla
How Our Intuitions Deceive Us
Daniel Simons
Christopher Chabris
In 'The Invisible Gorilla,' Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris use their famous experiment and other scientific findings to show how our minds can miss obvious things due to selective attention. The book explains various ways our intuitions lead us to make costly and sometimes life-threatening mistakes. It covers topics such as why companies launch failed products, why award-winning movies have editing mistakes, and what criminals and chess masters have in common. The authors provide insights into why we succumb to these illusions and how we can become more aware of them to think more clearly[1][3][5].
Make It Stick
The Science of Successful Learning
Henry L. Roediger
Mark A. McDaniel
Peter C Brown
Make It Stick challenges conventional wisdom on learning and teaching by presenting evidence-based strategies that replace less effective but widely accepted practices. The authors explain that effective learning comes from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has occurred, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. The book uses real-world examples and stories to illustrate these principles, making it an indispensable guide for students, educators, and lifelong learners.
Moonwalking with Einstein
The Art and Science of Remembering Everything
Joshua Foer
In 'Moonwalking with Einstein', Joshua Foer delves into the world of competitive memory sports and the science behind human memory. The book follows Foer's transformation from a journalist to a mental athlete as he trains for the USA Memory Championship. It explores historical and cultural aspects of memory, including ancient techniques like the 'method of loci' or 'memory palace', and discusses modern research on memory. Foer also interacts with renowned memory experts and savants, providing a comprehensive look at how anyone can improve their memory through specific techniques and practices.
The Blueprint
Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter)
Released on September 11, 2001, *The Blueprint* is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. It was created during a tumultuous period in Jay-Z's life, including legal issues and feuds with other rappers. The album features a soul-based soundscape, with notable tracks like 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.)' and 'Takeover.' Despite its release coinciding with the September 11 attacks, it debuted at number one on the US charts and has since been selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical significance.
Paul Bloom is Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University and an author.
The human mind is a mystery. If it wasn't for the fact that we experience it, the universe would give us absolutely no indication that consciousness existed. After an entire career studying psychology, Professor Bloom has some answers to the psychology questions we've all asked ourselves.
Expect to learn whether you actually remember everything that you've ever experienced, whether we know why consciousness evolved at all, why we should remember Sigmund Freud, why babies are way smarter than you think, whether attachment theory is rubbish, if psychology can tell us how to live a good life and much more...
Modern Wisdom 
