Book SummaryDeviate, by Beau Lotto

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Deviate

How do you know the world you see around you is real? According to Beau Lotto, it’s not. In Deviate (2016), Lotto challenges our fundamental assumptions about perception and reality: He explains that our brains don’t simply record the world as it is—they actively construct reality based on past experiences and evolutionary adaptations.

Through visual experiments and neuroscientific research, Lotto demonstrates that what we perceive as “reality” is actually a personal, subjective construction—a survival tool, not an objective representation of the world around us. His work reveals how our perceptions, experiences, and assumptions...

Deviate Summary We Can’t See Reality

The way you take in reality is through perception: This refers to the process of receiving sensory input, as well as processing and interpreting it. Lotto explains that we use our senses to form our understanding of everything—our world, our actions, and each other. However, our interpretations of the sensory input we receive don’t reflect objective reality: In other words, what we perceive about the world around us is the product of our brain’s interpretation (in other words, subjective reality), not a true reflection of the world as it is.

(Shortform note: The misconception that we have access to objective reality can cause problems in fields like science and journalism. For example, though we tend to think of science as purely objective, experts suggest that there’s no such thing as total objectivity in science. Moreover, they contend that pretending it exists quashes diversity (an important concept we’ll address later) and that, in the case of forensic science in particular, can mislead juries and prevent justice from being done. Similarly, other experts suggest that [journalism can’t be purely...

Deviate Summary Why We Can’t See Reality—And Why This Might Be Good for Us

Lotto explains that we can’t see objective reality because of the way our brains evolved. Namely, they evolved to keep us alive, which didn’t require perceiving everything—it only required us to perceive whatever would help us survive. Evolution drove us to avoid uncertainty and to develop assumptions to reduce how much energy our brains had to spend on thinking and predicting. But while these adaptations may prevent us from seeing everything that exists, they can also aid us in using imagination to purposefully see things that don’t exist. Let’s explore both the drawbacks and the benefits of these evolutionary adaptations.

Ways Our Brains Evolved to Keep Us Alive

According to Lotto, our inability to see objective reality isn’t a deficiency, but rather a useful adaptation that’s helped our species survive over millennia: It was more beneficial to our survival to see what was useful than what was “real.” For example, our senses are limited because if we could perceive everything, our brains would be overwhelmed with the input and unable to function effectively. Instead, we evolved to filter out information that wasn’t helpful to our survival, such as certain...

Deviate Summary How to Think Differently

Lotto explains that understanding how your brain works—and that it doesn’t accurately reflect reality—is a powerful tool in coming up with new ideas and new ways of thinking. By identifying the constraints in your thinking, you can access new perspectives and modes of thought that give way to greater creativity and innovation. We’ll explain some ways you can do this next.

Three Steps to Thinking Differently

First, Lotto provides a three-step process for changing how you think: 1) Acknowledge that you’re unaware, 2) identify your assumptions, and 3) complexify your assumptions.

Step 1: Acknowledge That You’re Unaware

According to Lotto, the first step in changing how you think is to understand and acknowledge that you aren’t truly aware of reality. Instead, your understanding of the world consists of assumptions your brain constructed from sensory input based on context and your past experiences. By acknowledging this fact, you open yourself up to testing and overcoming the limits of your perceptions. This will lead you to a stronger understanding of the world and greater access to the true potential of your brain, helping you make better decisions, come up...

Deviate Summary How to Foster Innovation

Lotto also explains how thinking and perceiving differently can foster greater innovation in businesses and organizations. This involves combining play with intention, prioritizing creativity over efficiency, promoting diversity, and leading well.

Play Plus Intention

Lotto explains that innovation requires a combination of play and intention. “Play” means approaching everything with a playful mindset. This involves embracing uncertainty and remaining open to many different possibilities, as well as collaborating with others and having intrinsic motivation (in that you should play for the sake of playing).

(Shortform note: Experts define play according to five characteristics: 1) It’s an activity chosen and directed by the person playing, 2) it’s done for its own sake, 3) it has established but flexible rules, 4) it involves imagination, and 5) it requires an alert mind but doesn’t involve intense stress. Play has many benefits beyond being fun. In fact, play is essential for children’s development—it teaches them about the world and how to interact with others. It...

Shortform Exercise: Challenge Your Assumptions to Expand Your Thinking

Lotto argues that identifying and challenging your assumptions is essential to changing how you think and expanding your perception. This exercise will help you uncover hidden assumptions and open yourself up to new possibilities.

Think of a recent situation where you experienced a strong emotional reaction—perhaps surprise, confusion, anger, or frustration. Briefly describe what happened.