Читать книгу Homo narrare. Narrative Intelligence 3.0: Managing Reality and Influencing People - Арсен Аветисов - Страница 11

Our brain is a complex system of interconnected structures. Its architecture reflects the entire evolution of life, comprising functional modules responsible for sustaining life. These modules, while conditionally distinct, are deeply interconnected. The average reaction time for a human – measured as the interval between seeing a flash of light and pressing a button in response – is approximately 250 milliseconds. By comparison, an average computer processes information 750 million times faster. However, this fact pales in significance when we consider the vast capabilities of the brain and the extraordinary talent of nature, an unmatched yet remarkably resourceful designer.

The «Reptilian Brain» – The Oldest Layer. The first and most ancient layer of the brain is the «reptilian brain,» which emerged about 150 million years ago. This structure governs three fundamental functions crucial for individual survival:

– Safety: It enables instantaneous decisions based on the «fight-or-flight» algorithm. Interestingly, this well-known reaction omits a third possible response: freezing.

– Foraging: Actions related to finding and securing food.

– Reproduction: Identifying and seeking suitable mates to ensure the continuation of the species.

The «reptilian brain» works ceaselessly, yet we remain unaware of its operations. Its key performance indicator (KPI) is not awareness but rapid and reliable responsiveness. Awareness is an energy-intensive, slow, and ambiguous process. While advice often emphasizes the importance of thinking before reacting, doing so could result in being «eaten» before any thought is completed.

The «Mammalian Brain» – The Emotional Layer. Above the reptilian brain lies the «mammalian brain,» also known as the emotional brain. This layer, which developed around 50 million years ago, facilitates survival and interaction within social groups. It governs social relationships, structuring communities such as herds, tribes, prides, families, and societies.

The emotional brain shapes behaviors of dominance and submission, fundamental to hierarchical structures. It also contributes to reproductive behavior, though in a distinct manner: impress and be impressed. This brain layer is the seat of the drive for superiority, aimed at showcasing the exclusivity of one’s genetic material. It enables humans to «understand» pets and find joy in interacting with them. Emotions, experiences, and attention are all rooted in this level.

The «Human Brain» – The Cortex and Consciousness. Finally, about two million years ago, the most advanced layer of the brain emerged: the structures responsible for consciousness. While the functions of the earlier layers are relatively well understood, the purpose and workings of the conscious brain remain the subject of much speculation and misunderstanding.

Imagine a thin sheet of material, 2—3 millimeters thick, with sides slightly over 40 centimeters. This «sheet» houses approximately 18 billion neurons, forming the cerebral cortex. Is that a lot? For comparison, the entire brain contains about 87 billion cells. While 18 billion may sound impressive, the cerebellum, the brain’s coordination center, contains twice as many neurons. This suggests that nature prioritized steady movement and balance over composing poetry or formulating scientific theories.

To this day, many people associate consciousness with advanced abilities such as planning, developing military doctrines, crafting scientific theories, composing novels and poetry, creating art, and producing films. However, all these activities are merely byproducts – unintentional parallel outputs of the cerebral cortex’s primary purpose: adaptive responses to environmental changes with minimal energy expenditure.

The cortex achieves this adaptation by accumulating proven interaction strategies and transitioning them into unconscious, energy-efficient processes. Most importantly, the brain strives to avoid creating new processes whenever possible, as they demand exorbitant additional energy. But how and why did this principle of brain function come into existence?