Big Think

Anne-Laure Le Cunff: The 3 cognitive scripts that rule over your life | Full Interview

104 snips
Jun 1, 2025
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a former Google executive turned neuroscientist, shares her insights on navigating cognitive overload and mental health. She introduces the idea of the 'maximized brain,' which prioritizes ambition over curiosity, risking burnout. In contrast, she advocates for an 'experimental mindset' that encourages small, curiosity-driven experiments instead of rigid goals. Le Cunff also discusses how societal scripts can limit our happiness and emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty for personal growth.
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INSIGHT

Brains Vs. Modern Overload

  • Our brains are outdated compared to the information overload we face daily.
  • This mismatch creates anxiety about productivity, ambition, and success.
INSIGHT

The Maximalist Brain

  • The maximalist brain demands the biggest and most ambitious version of any goal.
  • This mindset often causes overwhelm, burnout, and project abandonment.
ANECDOTE

Anne-Laure's Journey to Neuroscience

  • Anne-Laure left Google, tried and failed a startup, then returned to study neuroscience.
  • She wrote weekly about neuroscience, sparking her work on tiny experiments.
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