Environment & Energy

GliderGuider

(21,088 posts)

16. Our brain structure helps lock us into crisis mode responses.

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 05:55 PM

Apr 2012

Rational (neocortical) risk analysis doesn't generate the emotional charge that produces fast, intense response. The emotional component is produced by the older parts of the brain - the reptilian and limbic systems. Unfortunately they don't have the long-range analytical capacity of the neocortex, and respond best to very immediate stimuli. So we sit still when the sabretooth is across the valley, and run like hell only when it comes out from behind the next rock. That's why the phrase "urgent action" is associated with strong emotion.

It sucks, but as drivers of action, emotional stimuli work way better than intellectual ones.

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Are you a Doomer�? [View all] GliderGuider Apr 2012 OP

Good conversation. I can't really add to it xchrom Apr 2012 #1

What does the word Fixed� mean to you? GliderGuider Apr 2012 #2

Well in government terms - for example - the EPA xchrom Apr 2012 #4

Our brain structure helps lock us into crisis mode responses. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #16

I think the Enlightenment gave us other structures xchrom Apr 2012 #18

To what extent does the Enlightenment trump Evolution? GliderGuider Apr 2012 #20

Who says the Enlightenment is not Evolution? OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #34

It didn't change our brain structure or function GliderGuider Apr 2012 #35

Actually I was suggesting that the Age of Enlightenment was a product of our evolution OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #36

Sorry, but I don't see culture in Darwinian terms. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #42

Darwin did OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #49

I know about epigenetics GliderGuider Apr 2012 #50

Morality appears to be much more than a �learned trait� OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #51

Try a morality that's a little more complex and problematic than altruism. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #52

The Moral Instinct OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #53

Interesting that you should quote Pinker GliderGuider Apr 2012 #55

Babies embrace punishment earlier than previously thought, study suggests OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #54

Again, it's too easy. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #56

You claimed (upstream) �Morality is a learned trait that is passed on through teaching� OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #57

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, at least for now. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #58

That strikes me as a kind of latter day lysenkoism pscot Apr 2012 #45

...and yet.. atheous Apr 2012 #3

Sounds like high school kids on acid. nt kristopher Apr 2012 #5

You ever do drugs, kris? XemaSab Apr 2012 #10

It's only natural GliderGuider Apr 2012 #14

Sure GG. kristopher Apr 2012 #19

The funny thing is, GliderGuider Apr 2012 #21

No, it isn't. kristopher Apr 2012 #25

these people play too many video games. provis99 Apr 2012 #6

Video games? Why do you say that? nt GliderGuider Apr 2012 #17

The human race is doomed to extinction. Speck Tater Apr 2012 #7

I hear you - I'm 61. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #13

Apathy -- I can't take it or leave it. nt Speck Tater Apr 2012 #15

AHA, I knew you were a Boomer *EVILGRIN* Odin2005 Apr 2012 #38

Yep, I'm a BoomerDoomer� GliderGuider Apr 2012 #39

I am not a Doomer� OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #8

I like that - I identify alternately with Eeyore and Tigger. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #12

Neither really OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #22

So now I'm confused. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #23

Perhaps I was unclear OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #24

When the caterpillar builds a chrysalis and XemaSab Apr 2012 #9

That so resonates for me. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #11

exactly! FirstLight Apr 2012 #30

There's a lot to be said on the ideas you've raised. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author GliderGuider Apr 2012 #41

A lot of people accused of being Doomers� are actually Wayseers�. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #43

It is what it is, whatever it is RobertEarl Apr 2012 #26

Ah, you're walking nice and close to the edge there! GliderGuider Apr 2012 #27

I dunno RobertEarl Apr 2012 #28

Nobody else gets to decide what is best. Just You�. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #29

I suffer severe depression. I take meds. hunter Apr 2012 #32

Well put. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #33

BTW, "demon wrangler"? GliderGuider Apr 2012 #48

He managed drunk and disorderly Captain Americas and Mad Scientists essential to the war effort... hunter Apr 2012 #59

That's quite a story. Thanks. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #60

They wrestled with titanium. The metal was not yet domesticated. hunter Apr 2012 #63

The whole main casing was motor - home-packed Zinc/Sulphur GliderGuider Apr 2012 #64

I'm a long-term optimist. Odin2005 Apr 2012 #37

I'm an alarmist, though partially a doomer I still think something can be done. joshcryer Apr 2012 #40

How do you define Fucked�, Josh? nt GliderGuider Apr 2012 #44

Good post pscot Apr 2012 #46

Thanks. Yes, I have acquired some very good friends. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #47

Global economic collapse and resource wars never before seen. joshcryer Apr 2012 #61

Fair enough. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #62