

655: David Eagleman | How Our Brains Construct Reality
5 snips Apr 21, 2022
David Eagleman, a renowned Stanford neuroscientist and author, dives into the fascinating world of perception and brain mechanics. He explains how our conscious mind benefits from its separation from the subconscious and explores sensory substitution, allowing people with disabilities to experience enhanced perceptions. Eagleman discusses concepts like alien hand syndrome and 'zombie routines' that reveal the hidden workings of the brain. He also shares insights on how technology could revolutionize our sensory experiences, reshaping our understanding of reality.
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Brain as Identity
- Our brains are a crucial part of our identity, impacting us more significantly than physical injuries.
- Even small brain damage can alter personality and cognitive functions.
Consciousness as Newspaper
- The conscious brain acts like a newspaper, reporting on subconscious processing.
- It provides high-level summaries of complex background operations.
Automation Frees Bandwidth
- The conscious mind simplifies complex brain activity for efficient functioning.
- We automate behaviors like driving to free up conscious bandwidth for other tasks.