Technology is profoundly changing our culture. Our brains are equipped to navigate these shifts, as noted by Hannah Critchlow.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photo
21st Century Brain
By Hannah Critchlow
Transworld
Cambridge neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow starts her significant book with a striking assertion: “Our species is currently undergoing a major transition.” She elaborates that our increasingly digital and interconnected lives are reshaping how we evolve. As artificial intelligence becomes prevalent, we face an unprecedented environment, unlike any in our over 300,000-year existence.
Critchlow’s engaging opening evokes discussions found in works like Susan Greenfield’s Mind Change, which posits negative impacts of digital technology on our brains. While Greenfield faced critiques for being overly alarmist, Critchlow garners praise for her optimism and scientific backing. Her initial premise is supported by peer-reviewed literature, including a 2021 review in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, asserting that culture, rather than genetics, drives human evolution.
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Humans have lived in environments unlike any other during their more than 300,000 years of existence.
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Critchlow’s optimism stems from the remarkable flexibility of the human brain. She convincingly argues that we already possess the psychological attributes essential for thriving amidst such transitions, both personally and socially. We are evolving into more socially integrated entities within highly connected environments shaped by technology.
Critchlow outlines six key chapters, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the traits she explores. She presents a range of exercises aimed at fostering these abilities.
What are these ‘spiritual superpowers’? The first is emotional intelligence, crucial for successful teamwork in our increasingly interconnected world. Her insights are firmly rooted in the latest neuroscience and cognitive psychology research, citing over 100 scientists and offering an impressive bibliography.
Other superpowers include imagination, creativity, and adaptability to uncertainty while maintaining clear, accurate thought processes. The ultimate goal is to foster wisdom, expertise, and intuition.
I found the later chapters particularly engaging. Critchlow discusses the latest science regarding diet, the gut-brain connection, and organelles like mitochondria, revealing their intricate relationships with our cognitive functions.
Importantly, the book emphasizes that future success relies not on mastering technology but on intelligently navigating the environments it creates.
Her actionable tips for enhancing mental skills are both practical and insightful, often underlining the importance of mobility at all levels—physical and social—as well as leveraging diverse ideas and experiences. These insights have become a personal touchstone for how Critchlow lives her life.
In the final chapter, she reflects on humanity’s relationship with AI, posing a critical, albeit complex, question. While her arguments here may lack persuasiveness, possibly due to external pressures, they prompt necessary considerations.
If I were her editor, I might have encouraged deeper speculation on the implications of this transformation and what our societies could resemble in the future—in 50 or 100 years.
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Recent discoveries in neuroscience and cognitive science prove we don’t need to fear transition.
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I would also suggest exploring how to cultivate these mental skills at an organizational level, not just individually.
These critiques, however, do not detract from the book’s primary argument: that neuroscience and cognitive science show us we need not fear transitions. Our brains are equipped with skills to navigate changes, yet refining them requires effort.
We can take solace knowing that our ancestors faced significant changes throughout history, such as agriculture, civilization, and written language, emerging from those challenges not only alive but often in improved circumstances.
With Critchlow’s insightful and cautious manifesto as our guide, I remain optimistic about our ability to navigate this current transition.
Three More Insightful Books About Our Amazing Brains
Invincible Brain: A Clinically Proven Plan to Protect Your Brain from Aging and Stay Sharp for Life
Written by Majid Fotuhi
Majid Fotuhi, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University, presents a 12-week program of lifestyle changes designed to enhance brain health and cognitive function at any age.
The Brain: User Guide
By New Scientist
This visually engaging guide explores maximizing the potential of your brain, based on an original article published in New Scientist, refined by my former colleague Alison George.
Inner Senses: How the New Science of Interoception Can Transform Your Health
Written by Caroline Williams
This fascinating book on interoception, a concept linking our internal senses to emotional intelligence, will resonate with what Critchlow discusses. It’s a delightful read for improving your awareness and health.
Graham Lawton is a former staff writer for New Scientist.
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Source: www.newscientist.com
