EconTalk

The Wonder of the Emergent Mind (with Gaurav Suri)

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Nov 17, 2025
Neuroscientist Gaurav Suri, co-author of The Emergent Mind, shares fascinating insights about how collective behaviors resemble ant colonies. He explains how intelligence arises from the interactions of simple neural units rather than individual intelligence. Suri discusses the role of intuition, how habits are formed from past experiences, and the complexities of free will. He emphasizes the importance of kindness and practical self-improvement in reshaping our neural pathways, making a case for our shared humanity.
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INSIGHT

Intelligence Emerges From Simple Interactions

  • Intelligence emerges from many simple units interacting rather than from any single neuron.
  • The brain's properties arise from collective dynamics, not from intelligent individual parts.
ANECDOTE

Ant Trail Shows Collective Problem Solving

  • Gaurav describes blocking an ant trail and watching ants initially split then overwhelmingly prefer the short route.
  • Pheromone deposition and following explain how simple rules produce efficient group behavior.
INSIGHT

We Rationalize After Decisions Happen

  • Our verbal explanations often post-hoc rationalize choices produced by unconscious processes.
  • The same neural system makes choices and creates stories to justify them.
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