The Michael Shermer Show Logic, Creativity, and the Limits of AI: How Humans Think in Ways Machines Never Will
Nov 18, 2025
Angus Fletcher, a professor of story science at Ohio State's Project Narrative and author of Primal Intelligence, explores the unique realms of human cognition compared to machines. He argues that storytelling is fundamental to how we think and why traditional metrics of intelligence often miss the mark. Fletcher discusses the significance of emotional narratives in decision-making and how innovative strategies arise from imagination rather than data. He emphasizes that the greatest strengths of humans lie in our creative capabilities, as well as the ability to adapt and plan for the future.
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A Third Explanation For Human Mind
- Intelligence isn't only computation or mysticism; it's tied to neuron biology that initiates actions.
- That explains why humans have common sense and imagination computers currently lack.
Neurons Use Mixed Mechanisms
- The human neuron runs mixed electronic and molecular mechanics that computers' transistors lack.
- That mixed architecture enables imagination and common sense by initiating action sequences rather than only computing patterns.
Brains Think In Narratives
- Brains evolved to invent actions and chain them into plans, not just to accumulate data.
- Chained actions form narratives, which let humans imagine and shape possible futures.
