Book Summary: How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli

How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli is organized into three sections: the beginnings of the human brain, the evolution of higher cognition, such as language and intellect, and the future of the human brain, which includes issues with digital immortality and neurodiversity.

We may improve our decision-making and strive for a better future by comprehending our evolutionary history.

For 7 million years, our minds have been changing, influencing our cultures, emotions, memories, and intelligence. From early humans’ primitive wiring to our superior cognitive capacities, this book examines the profound evolutionary shifts that characterize us. The book focuses on the larger, evolutionary path of our brains, even though most people identify brain alterations with psychological disorders or neurological problems.

The question, “Why do we have the brains we do?” has motivated the author, a neurologist, to spend more than ten years researching the functioning of the brain. The book explores the evolution of the brain, how it supports our ideas, emotions, and behavior, and its special ability to advance social and cultural norms.

Book Summary Contents

1 What questions are How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Answers?
2 How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Details & Statistics
- 2.1 Statistics of How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli
3 How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Quotes
4 How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Table Of Contents
5 How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Book Summary
6 About the Author: Joseph Jebelli
7 Attachments & References
- 7.1 Share:

What questions are How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Answers?

How did the human brain evolve over millions of years?
What are the key milestones in the evolution of the human brain, and how do they affect us today?
What are the origins and significance of fundamental human capabilities such as emotions, social behavior, and memory?
What are the limits of human intelligence, language, and consciousness?
How can we unlock the untapped potential of our brains?
How will neurodiversity and emerging technologies shape the future of the human brain?
Can humans achieve digital immortality, and what are the implications?
Will advances in neuroscience solve the world’s problems?
How can we change our minds for the better?
What is the relationship between our minds and the societies we create?
How can we use our understanding of the brain to improve education and foster greater intelligence in all individuals?

How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Details & Statistics

Attribute	Details
Publisher	Little, Brown Spark (July 12, 2022)
Language	English
Paperback	320 pages
ISBN-10	0316424986
ISBN-13	978-0316424981

Statistics of How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli

Best Sellers Rank:

#581,243 in Books
#421 in Medical Neuropsychology
#440 in Neuroscience (Books)
#773 in Popular Neuropsychology

Customer Reviews:

4.2 out of 5 stars (59 ratings)
4.1 on Goodreads (243 ratings)

Genres:

Science
Nonfiction
Neuroscience
Psychology
History
Evolution
Anthropology

Release Date: July 12, 2022
Editions: 8 editions

How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Quotes

“Our minds are changing. They have been changing for nearly 7 million years.”
“A basic question has lingered at the forefront of my mind. Why have we ended up with the brains we have?”
“Evolution is ‘the most powerful and the most comprehensive idea that has ever arisen on earth.’”
“Nothing in biology makes sense…except in the light of evolution.”
“Minds make societies, but societies also make minds.”
“There are amazing facts to be learned about the brain, facts that transcend our differences and change our behavior for the better.”
“The truth is, none of us is born unintelligent, unfeeling, or unmoored from the world. These states are imposed on us by the societies we create.”
“Emotions, it turned out, really do have a mind of their own.”
“What we can see over the course of our history is a gradual awakening of the mind, which in living memory has been propelled forward at an exponential rate.”
“People who want to understand things, to glimpse their inner purpose. I think most people are content with the status quo. They find it comforting because it doesn’t challenge them in any meaningful way. But maybe we can change that… Or at least try.”

How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Table Of Contents

Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Introduction: The Pearl Inside the Oyster

1. Building the Human Brain

2. Inventing Emotions

3. Our Social Brains

4. The Genesis of Memory

5. The Truth About Intelligence

6. Creating Language

7. The Illusion of Consciousness

8. Different Minds

9. The iBrain

Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Discover More
Also by Joseph Jebelli

How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli Book Summary

Chapter 1: Building the Human Brain

This chapter focuses on the evolutionary journey of the human brain. It starts by discussing the role of a genetic accident in the jaw, specifically mentioning gene duplication, which surprisingly contributed to the development of higher cognition in early humans. The chapter then highlights the “Brain’s Big Bang,” a period of rapid brain size expansion in the Homo genus. This period, approximately 500,000 years ago, saw a dramatic increase in brain size, from 900 cm3 to an astonishing 1,500 cm3.

The neocortex, responsible for higher-level thinking, grew to occupy 80% of the brain’s mass. The chapter emphasizes that this leap in brain size wasn’t simply a scaling-up of the primate brain. Human neurons are unique, with a distinct genetic code, specialized membrane properties, and greater flexibility and adaptability compared to our ancestors.

The chapter then gives a summary of the architecture of the human brain, focusing on the cerebrum, which is the biggest area of the brain and is in charge of higher-order cognitive processes. It describes how the brain is separated into four lobes: frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital.

The two hemispheres of the brain are connected by the corpus callosum. Each lobe’s main functions are briefly described. To lay the foundation for exploring additional brain processes in later chapters, the chapter concludes by emphasizing the unique features of the human brain, particularly its remarkable abilities for creativity, problem-solving, and building societies.

Chapter 2: Inventing Emotions

This chapter likely explores the evolutionary origins of emotions, possibly using Charles Darwin’s observations of his dogs as a starting point.

Chapter 3: Our Social Brains

This chapter explores the social nature of the human brain and how it has evolved to enhance social interactions. It likely employs case studies and neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to demonstrate how the brain reacts to social stimuli. The chapter challenges the notion of a singular “empathy center” within the brain, suggesting that social behavior and empathy emerge from complex networks of brain regions.

Furthermore, it discusses the early development of social and emotional connections in infants, emphasizing the “ninth-month revolution” as a critical period for nurturing social cognition. The chapter also addresses the role of autism in brain evolution and the differing social interactions experienced by individuals on the autism spectrum.

Chapter 4: The Genesis of Memory

This chapter examines the evolution of memory in the human brain, challenging the idea that memory is a single, unified entity. It highlights the existence of seven distinct memory systems, which likely developed to help early humans address various challenges beginning around 3 million years ago. The chapter emphasizes the essential role of memory in everyday life and illustrates how its evolution has allowed humans to become complex, adaptable beings capable of learning, remembering, and making informed decisions based on past experiences.

The chapter also likely touches on the historical development of memory research, including breakthroughs like David Hartley’s proposition in 1749 that memory originates in the nervous system, and Richard Semon’s 1904 theory of physical “memory traces” in the brain.

The chapter likely discusses Frederick Bartlett’s 1932 proposal that memory is shaped by cultural values and perceptions, offering an example of white Americans emphasizing individualism and East Asians focusing on social interactions in their recollections. It might conclude by noting how culture and the generation of collective memories influence our understanding of the past and our actions in the future, preparing the reader for the subsequent exploration of intelligence.

Chapter 5: The Truth About Intelligence

This chapter examines the complex nature of human intelligence and challenges traditional views that solely equate intelligence with genetics or specific brain regions. It uses the example of Albert Einstein’s larger-than-average frontal cortex to illustrate how early assumptions about intelligence were based on flawed comparisons that didn’t account for body size.

The chapter likely explores alternative perspectives on intelligence, moving beyond the traditional concept of general intelligence (g) and exploring the ideas of psychologist Robert Sternberg. It may discuss the concepts of practical intelligence, creative intelligence, and analytical intelligence.

This chapter might also cover interactional intelligence (relationship with tools and technology), experiential intelligence (adapting to new situations), and perceptual intelligence (distinguishing reality from illusion), which was explored by physician Brian S. Boxer Wachler.

This chapter also might delve into the role of imagination and the brain’s creative networks in fostering intelligence. It could discuss a phenomenon called repetition suppression, where the brain’s response decreases with repeated exposure to a stimulus, potentially freeing up resources for novel information processing.

Chapter 6: Creating Language

This chapter examines the evolution and impact of language on the human brain. It argues that language is not simply a product of biology but a result of the interplay between nature and nurture. The chapter discusses how language acquisition shapes the brain’s physical structure, particularly the neuronal connections in the gray matter, where information is processed.

It highlights the benefits of multilingualism, citing studies showing enhanced brain structure and function in bilingual individuals.

The chapter also discusses how reading, a relatively recent activity in human history, has profoundly impacted the brain, forcing different regions to work together and leading to the development of novel cognitive abilities. It describes key brain areas associated with language, including Broca’s area (speech production), Wernicke’s area (speech comprehension), the angular gyrus, and the insular cortex, emphasizing that these areas are not exclusively dedicated to language and can even adapt to perform other functions.

The chapter concludes by emphasizing the social function of language, arguing that its ability to codify cultural values, beliefs, and customs is its evolutionary purpose.

Chapter 7: The Illusion of Consciousness

This chapter tackles the enigmatic nature of consciousness, describing it as the subjective experience of the world, including perceptions, thoughts, and sensations. It highlights the difficulty in defining and understanding consciousness and presents various perspectives on its nature. The chapter likely delves into the concept of neural correlates of consciousness (NCC), which are specific brain regions and mechanisms believed to be responsible for generating conscious experience.

It discusses the role of the posterior hot zone, an area encompassing the parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes, as a potential candidate for the location of the “consciousness illusion”.

The chapter also likely explores the implications of split-brain patients who underwent a callosotomy, a procedure severing the connection between the two brain hemispheres. It might discuss how this procedure revealed the functional independence of the hemispheres and raised intriguing questions about the unity of conscious experience. The chapter might also examine the brain’s selective processing of information, highlighting its ability to filter out irrelevant details and focus on essential elements for survival.

The chapter explores various theories about the evolutionary origins of consciousness, considering possibilities ranging from its emergence with single-celled life to its development with the mammalian brain. It likely discusses different viewpoints regarding the exclusivity of human consciousness, considering whether all species or even non-living entities, might possess some form of consciousness.

The chapter might also present the Attention Schema Theory (AST), proposing that consciousness evolved as a mechanism for managing the overwhelming influx of information and selectively focusing attention on crucial elements for survival. The chapter concludes by suggesting that consciousness co-evolved with social skills, language, and creative thinking, emphasizing its dynamic nature and its shaping by social and cultural experiences.

Chapter 8: Different Minds

The sources do not provide specific details about the content of this chapter, but they mention its focus on autism. The chapter likely explores the different ways autistic individuals experience the world, potentially discussing their sensory sensitivities, social interactions, and unique cognitive strengths. It may address the role of autism in brain evolution and the concept of neurodiversity.

Chapter 9: The iBrain

This chapter likely discusses the future of the human brain and its interface with technology. It introduces the concept of brain organoids, which are laboratory-grown miniature brains that can be used to model brain development and diseases. The chapter may discuss the potential for using organoids to create spare parts for damaged brains and the ethical implications of such advancements.

The chapter might also explore the possibility of creating conscious AI and the concerns surrounding its potential for surpassing human control and posing existential threats. It might discuss the limitations of current AI and the challenges in replicating the complexities of human consciousness, which is more than mere computation.

The chapter likely discusses brain-computer interfaces (BCI) such as the BrainGate system, which allows individuals to control external devices using their thoughts.

It might explore the therapeutic applications of BCIs for individuals with stroke, paralysis, or limb loss. The chapter might also examine the concept of digital immortality, where human minds are uploaded into digital realms, potentially through advanced BCIs. It could discuss the idea of “Homo cyberneticus,” a future human species that has merged with machines.

About the Author: Joseph Jebelli

How the Mind Changed A Human History of our Evolving Brain by Joseph Jebelli — Author’s image source: bookbrowse.com

Joseph Jebelli is a neuroscientist and author. He earned his PhD in neuroscience from University College London, focusing on the cell biology of neurodegenerative diseases, and later worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. Jebelli’s highly praised debut book, In Pursuit of Memory, was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize. He currently resides in London.