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Last week’s discussions had me fixating on how much our brains (and our society) simplifies complex information and exaggerates differences in order to make functional understanding easier. We spoke about our bipartite brains (conscious versus unconscious) which are a simplified understanding of a very complex organ. Paul said the brain is trained to look for edges – stark contrasts. Our brain makes “informed guesses” based on experience and decides what is “important” information.

It’s all just so darn functional. It seems dangerous to me that our perception of reality is so simplified. I fear that binary is inherent in our makeup. This is bad to me because I feel that simplification, exaggeration and categorization cause the intense misunderstanding and ignorance that plagues the world today. And that misunderstanding and ignorance leads to conflict.

We categorize people into races, genders, ideologies. We categorize humanity as being separate from the earth and other flora and fauna because we see primarily our differences. We insist on political boundaries, simple man-made lines in the sand. I could go on and on. Once you start looking, simplification is everywhere.

The first things we see are differences. We are always talking about uniqueness rather than similarities (I myself am guilty of this charge). Sometimes this outlook has its benefits but right now I see the host of problems it can cause.

Probably, maybe, we need to simplify our reality to survive. At least in our perception as our brains create it – as in maybe I don’t need to be aware at all times of everything. Focus is good – it enables us to be productive. I just think that we should try to keep simplification to a minimum. We shouldn’t narrow our vision so much.  Hopeful note: I feel, like Julie, that we have the ability to mold our brains and I know that we can shape society.

Qualifying statement.