The Next Big Idea Daily We’re All Hallucinating. That’s a Good Thing.
Sep 22, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Daniel Yon, a psychologist and neuroscientist known for his work at Birkbeck, University of London, delves into how our brains construct reality. He reveals that our perceptions are shaped through hypothesis-driven processes, affecting how we relate to each other. Yon introduces the concept of 'body dialects,' highlighting the importance of understanding expressions in communication. He also explores how self-image is influenced by past experiences, and discusses why curiosity and learning are key to happiness.
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Perception Is A Constructed Theory
- Daniel Yon argues perception is constructive: the brain combines sensory inputs with internal theories to create reality.
- These top-down theories can produce misperceptions and everyday hallucinations like misheard lyrics.
Everyone Has A Body Dialect
- Yon explains people express emotions via individual 'body dialects' that shape social understanding.
- Misreading others often reflects mismatched expression theories, not a single deficit in mind‑reading.
Nobel Idea, Lost Confidence
- Yon tells Douglas Prasher's story to show how life events reshaped his self‑theory and career trajectory.
- Past failures and circumstances can harden pessimistic self‑models that block future ambition.
