The Next Big Idea PRIMAL INTELLIGENCE: You’re Smarter Than You Realize
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Oct 2, 2025 
Angus Fletcher, an English professor and narrative cognition researcher, shares insights from his book, Primal Intelligence. He discusses how humans excel in thinking through stories, contrasting it with machine logic. Fletcher reveals how narrative skills can improve decision-making and creativity, especially in high-pressure environments like the Army. He emphasizes the importance of intuition in recognizing exceptions and the role emotions play in guiding our plans. The conversation also tackles the value of storytelling in enhancing communication and managing anxiety in a tech-driven world.
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Humans Think In Possibility Not Probability
- Humans think in possibilities and stories while computers compute probabilities from past data.
- In volatile, data-poor environments our evolved narrative cognition outperforms predictive machines.
Intuition Is Spotting Exceptions
- Intuition is not pattern-matching; it's spotting exceptions to rules and anomalies.
- Children and expert operators excel because they detect deviations rather than only matching prior patterns.
Surround Yourself With Exceptions
- Surround yourself with exceptions to train your intuition and regain childhood curiosity.
- Travel deeply and disconnect from screens to make the familiar world look fresh again.
