Blockbuster Science by David Siegel Bernstein

Author:David Siegel Bernstein
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781633883703
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2017-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

WHERE DOES COGNITION FIT?

Cognition is the higher-level function for processing comprehension. It is the drive to learn, to remember, to judge, and to problem-solve. Cognition interprets sensory input. If a tiger leaps at you, information travels from your eyes to your brain. Wisely (thank you, evolution), your brain signals your muscles to run.

To extract meaning from this incoming information, your brain must reduce excess sensory input. This is not a good time to notice the smell of jasmine or the gentle breeze on your face. Your entire attention is on the tiger, and your brain edits out unnecessary sensory information. It evolved to be reductionist.

Do you remember our park trip? I kept a log of where we went. After we left Central Park, we trekked through the city. Noise was everywhere, but you edited out most of it so you could concentrate on the conversation you were having with the street magician. You could hear other people talking, but your brain censored out what they said. Needless to say, my feelings are hurt. I was trying to tell you about cognition.

No matter how much you practice mindfulness (focusing on the present moment and the sensations around you), your brain will protect you from information overload.

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