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> The old "reptilian" brain uses this map of the world to make us function as humans. Old reptilian brain says "I want food, find me food". New neocortex says "

> The old "reptilian" brain uses this map of the world to make us function as humans. Old reptilian brain says "I want food, find me food". New neocortex says "If you walk to the refrigerator, open the door, take out the bread and cheese, put them in the toaster, you will have a nice cheese sandwich". I think there is a two-way feedback loop between the different layers of the brain such that humans are capable of going against their base-layer instincts. I believe that the neocortex probably evolved as a completely subservient layer to the base layer, but it has perhaps become powerful enough to suppress or overrule the base layer "instincts", although not entirely, and not always, and only with concentration (maybe concentration is the brain's process of suppressing those impulses?). That's what allows humans to negotiate with morality, adapt to social changes, regret past decisions until it changes base layer impulses, delay gratification, invest years of life in boring study or practice to get good at something for potential long-term gain, etc.

gamegoblin 6y ago
I think you are right. Hawkins mentions this in the book, with the example of holding your breath. Your neocortex can override the older brain in certain circumstances. I would be really interested to really understand the mechanism here. Is the neocortex convincing the old brain of things, or is it outright lying to the old brain via false signals it knows the old brain will fall for. Like in the case of dieting to lose weight, is the "conversation" like some cartoon: Old brain: I am hungry. Where is food? New brain: You don't need food right now. If you don't eat now, you will be more attractive soon. This will help you find a mate. Old brain: Not eat means find mate??? New brain: Yes, yes, not eat means find mate. Good old brain.
- deleted 6y ago
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- chrisco255 6y ago
  This also explains why it's harder to diet when you're not single. Old Brain: You already have mate! Food. Now! Yum!
sdwr 6y ago
Willpower fits into that feedback loop as the neocortex's credibility to the hindbrain. Having an abstract goal is going against the grain of your learned routine. When you're expending energy on something new, at some point you get a gut check saying "Don't bother, what we were doing before was fine".

gamegoblin 6y ago

I think you are right. Hawkins mentions this in the book, with the example of holding your breath. Your neocortex can override the older brain in certain circumstances. I would be really interested to really understand the mechanism here. Is the neocortex convincing the old brain of things, or is it outright lying to the old brain via false signals it knows the old brain will fall for. Like in the case of dieting to lose weight, is the "conversation" like some cartoon: Old brain: I am hungry. Where is food? New brain: You don't need food right now. If you don't eat now, you will be more attractive soon. This will help you find a mate. Old brain: Not eat means find mate??? New brain: Yes, yes, not eat means find mate. Good old brain.

deleted 6y ago
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chrisco255 6y ago
This also explains why it's harder to diet when you're not single. Old Brain: You already have mate! Food. Now! Yum!

sdwr 6y ago

Willpower fits into that feedback loop as the neocortex's credibility to the hindbrain. Having an abstract goal is going against the grain of your learned routine. When you're expending energy on something new, at some point you get a gut check saying "Don't bother, what we were doing before was fine".