Julian Jaynes: The Origin of Consciousness (Overview)

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Have you ever wondered why humans naturally gravitate toward religious beliefs? What if our modern way of cognition and experience emerged only a few thousand years ago? Julian Jaynes’s The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind proposes that consciousness as we know it today didn’t always exist. Jaynes suggests humans once operated with a “bicameral mind,” where one part of the mind issued commands that the other part followed. Keep reading to discover how Jaynes’s controversial theory might explain religious tendencies, sudden civilization development, and even our struggles with decision-making.

Examples of Insights: How Some People Saw What Others Didn’t

A cartoon depiction of Isaac Newton under the apple tree illustrates examples of insights

What patterns do breakthrough thinkers notice that others miss? How do some people make connections that revolutionize entire fields of knowledge? In his book, Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein explores what causes breakthroughs in thinking. His research reveals fascinating examples of insights in science, medicine, engineering, architecture, literature, and more. Keep reading to discover how these examples of insight demonstrate what sets breakthrough thinking apart.

2 Medical Anti-Aging Strategies From Jellyfish Age Backwards

A female scientist in a lab studying medical antiaging strategies

Is it possible to reduce or reverse the symptoms of aging? What medical anti-aging strategies does Nicklas Brendborg suggest? Nicklas Brendborg, in his book Jellyfish Age Backwards, uses Turritopsis dohrnii—the immortal jellyfish—as an entry point to explore the latest research on longevity. He discusses two scientific methods of anti-aging: medications and cellular engineering. Continue reading for a closer look at each one.

How Consciousness and Language Are Intertwined (Julian Jaynes)

A person with a thought bubble with the word "ideas" over their head depicts the link between consciousness and language

What role did language play in the emergence of human consciousness? How did metaphorical thinking transform our ancestors’ cognitive abilities? Julian Jaynes proposes that consciousness developed not through biological evolution but through cultural changes driven by language. He argues that consciousness and language are deeply intertwined, with metaphors allowing humans to express abstract concepts and develop self-awareness. Read on to explore Jaynes’s theory about how our minds evolved from hearing divine voices to developing rich inner lives.

Sigmund Freud & the Unconscious Mind: Did He Get It Right?

A photograph of Sigmund Freud by Max Halberstadt illustrates Sigmund Freud's unconscious mind theories

How much of your thinking happens without your awareness? What invisible forces might be guiding your decisions and perceptions right now? The human brain processes information in ways that largely escape our conscious notice. Science writer Leonard Mlodinow explains how modern neuroscience has confirmed Sigmund Freud’s core insight that unconscious processes shape our experiences and behaviors. Keep reading to learn about Sigmund Freud’s unconscious mind theories and the developments scientists have made since Freud.

How Does Music Work in the Brain? (Daniel J. Levitin)

Musical notes around a brain, showing how music works

When you listen to music, what happens in your brain? What’s the difference between focused listening and experiential fusion? In his book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist and musician Daniel J. Levitin explains how the human brain experiences music. He details why two people experience music differently and why everyone has different tastes. Continue reading to understand how music works in the brain.

Can Cellular Engineering Reverse Aging? Yes, But at a Steep Cost

Glass test tubes in a lab that does cellular engineering

Can the human aging process be reversed? What are the associated risks with cellular engineering? Nicklas Brendborg is a Danish biotechnologist and science writer. He writes in his book Jellyfish Age Backwards that scientists have discovered a couple of ways to reverse aging, however, they pose dangerous health risks. Here’s a look at the two cellular engineering methods that Brendborg discusses.

Music as Medicine for Movement Disorders (Levitin)

A man in a wheelchair listening to headphones outside, enjoying music as a form of medicine

How can music help those with Tourette’s syndrome? How does music therapy work in the brain? In his book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explains how music therapy can be a powerful medicine. He specifically mentions Tourette’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s. Continue reading to learn how to harness music as medicine for movement disorders.

The Future of Anti-Aging Drugs (+ Their Challenges)

A cartoon image of a hand holding a handful of anti-aging drugs

Is there such thing as anti-aging drugs? What side effects do these drugs have on the body? According to Nicklas Brendborg, some medical interventions hold promise for treating the symptoms of old age—or even reversing the aging process. But, like with any medication, a lot more testing is needed. Here’s an early look at some of the anti-aging drugs that Brendborg points out.

Narratization: How Our Minds Write Storylines (Julian Jaynes)

An open storybook, clouds, and a silhouette of a girl's head illustrates narratization

What role does narratization play in the development of human consciousness? How does the ability to create coherent stories from our experiences separate conscious beings from non-conscious ones? In his book, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes explores how consciousness emerged. He identifies “narratization”—our ability to string experiences into coherent stories—as a fundamental component of consciousness that helps us make sense of our reality. Read more to examine this fascinating concept through the lens of both evolutionary history and modern interpretations.