so Christmas Day when I was four I woke up to find something terrifying at the
up to find something terrifying at the
up to find something terrifying at the end of my bed it was a clown puppet and
end of my bed it was a clown puppet and
end of my bed it was a clown puppet and for my fifth birthday my parents carried
for my fifth birthday my parents carried
for my fifth birthday my parents carried on in this vain and they gave me a live
on in this vain and they gave me a live
on in this vain and they gave me a live gift of a Punch and Judy show I was
gift of a Punch and Judy show I was
gift of a Punch and Judy show I was traumatized now despite this shock
traumatized now despite this shock
traumatized now despite this shock aversion therapy that my parents were
aversion therapy that my parents were
aversion therapy that my parents were obviously embarked upon I don’t know
obviously embarked upon I don’t know
obviously embarked upon I don’t know what I done I am now a puppet maker and
what I done I am now a puppet maker and
what I done I am now a puppet maker and a puppet director and probably because
a puppet director and probably because
a puppet director and probably because of those events I’ve become really
of those events I’ve become really
of those events I’ve become really interested in the way that we see
interested in the way that we see
interested in the way that we see puppets and so what I’d like to talk
puppets and so what I’d like to talk
puppets and so what I’d like to talk about today is what neuroscience and the
about today is what neuroscience and the
about today is what neuroscience and the sciences in general can tell us about
sciences in general can tell us about
sciences in general can tell us about the way that we see puppets and maybe
the way that we see puppets and maybe
the way that we see puppets and maybe the world beyond so does anyone see a
the world beyond so does anyone see a
the world beyond so does anyone see a face yeah well in fact it’s not a face
face yeah well in fact it’s not a face
face yeah well in fact it’s not a face that is a diagram of the brain from
that is a diagram of the brain from
that is a diagram of the brain from below and those red bits are not eyes
below and those red bits are not eyes
below and those red bits are not eyes but they’re in fact your amygdala now
but they’re in fact your amygdala now
but they’re in fact your amygdala now your amygdala is part of the limbic
your amygdala is part of the limbic
your amygdala is part of the limbic system evolutionarily speaking it’s a
system evolutionarily speaking it’s a
system evolutionarily speaking it’s a very ancient part of our brain and the
very ancient part of our brain and the
very ancient part of our brain and the amygdala is responsible for emotional
amygdala is responsible for emotional
amygdala is responsible for emotional responses so fear anger lust these
responses so fear anger lust these
responses so fear anger lust these emotions will play a big part in your
emotions will play a big part in your
emotions will play a big part in your survival now in marketing and
survival now in marketing and
survival now in marketing and advertising business speak this has
advertising business speak this has
advertising business speak this has become known as the lizard brain now
become known as the lizard brain now
become known as the lizard brain now this isn’t strictly accurate in fact is
this isn’t strictly accurate in fact is
this isn’t strictly accurate in fact is anatomically inaccurate but nevertheless
anatomically inaccurate but nevertheless
anatomically inaccurate but nevertheless the term has stuck now your amygdala is
the term has stuck now your amygdala is
the term has stuck now your amygdala is also responsible for laying down memory
also responsible for laying down memory
also responsible for laying down memory so the stronger the the emotional input
so the stronger the the emotional input
so the stronger the the emotional input the stronger the memory and that’s
the stronger the memory and that’s
the stronger the memory and that’s probably why I can remember the events
probably why I can remember the events
probably why I can remember the events of my fifth birthday and Christmas 1971
of my fifth birthday and Christmas 1971
of my fifth birthday and Christmas 1971 so terrifyingly clearly now here is
so terrifyingly clearly now here is
so terrifyingly clearly now here is another diagram for the brain and up
another diagram for the brain and up
another diagram for the brain and up over the top that sort of bubblegum
over the top that sort of bubblegum
over the top that sort of bubblegum chewed bit
chewed bit
chewed bit that’s your neocortex this evolved
that’s your neocortex this evolved
that’s your neocortex this evolved evolutionarily much later and in this
evolutionarily much later and in this
evolutionarily much later and in this developed state it’s what makes us human
developed state it’s what makes us human
developed state it’s what makes us human amongst many other jobs what
amongst many other jobs what
amongst many other jobs what responsible for is a rational thought
responsible for is a rational thought
responsible for is a rational thought and also for social thinking if you like
and also for social thinking if you like
and also for social thinking if you like it’s the human sketchpad upon which we
it’s the human sketchpad upon which we
it’s the human sketchpad upon which we we sketch ideas for the future and make
we sketch ideas for the future and make
we sketch ideas for the future and make considered decisions your amygdala makes
considered decisions your amygdala makes
considered decisions your amygdala makes very very quick decisions based on your
very very quick decisions based on your
very very quick decisions based on your survival a split-second may mean the
survival a split-second may mean the
survival a split-second may mean the difference between life and death and so
difference between life and death and so
difference between life and death and so what we have here are two
what we have here are two
what we have here are two decision-making processes and what I’d
decision-making processes and what I’d
decision-making processes and what I’d like to talk about and show you as some
like to talk about and show you as some
like to talk about and show you as some of the ways in which puppetry exploits
of the ways in which puppetry exploits
of the ways in which puppetry exploits this cognitive difference so I brought
this cognitive difference so I brought
this cognitive difference so I brought along with me a few friends so we have
along with me a few friends so we have
along with me a few friends so we have Chand and we have Taylor and we have
Chand and we have Taylor and we have
Chand and we have Taylor and we have Mike over here and perhaps most
Mike over here and perhaps most
Mike over here and perhaps most importantly we have Mikey here are you
importantly we have Mikey here are you
importantly we have Mikey here are you dawn I hear a little bit of laughter now
dawn I hear a little bit of laughter now
dawn I hear a little bit of laughter now your rational brain is telling you okay
your rational brain is telling you okay
your rational brain is telling you okay I’m laughing because I’ve just seen a
I’m laughing because I’ve just seen a
I’m laughing because I’ve just seen a puppet in pants it’s got a big belly
puppet in pants it’s got a big belly
puppet in pants it’s got a big belly he’s got stick legs he’s funny but I’m
he’s got stick legs he’s funny but I’m
he’s got stick legs he’s funny but I’m telling you there’s a whole lot going on
telling you there’s a whole lot going on
telling you there’s a whole lot going on before you love what’s happening is that
before you love what’s happening is that
before you love what’s happening is that your survival brain is initiating a
your survival brain is initiating a
your survival brain is initiating a fight-or-flight response it seen
fight-or-flight response it seen
fight-or-flight response it seen something that looks like it’s alive and
something that looks like it’s alive and
something that looks like it’s alive and so it’s saying watch it and what happens
so it’s saying watch it and what happens
so it’s saying watch it and what happens with your fight-or-flight response is
with your fight-or-flight response is
with your fight-or-flight response is you have a squirt of cortisol which is
you have a squirt of cortisol which is
you have a squirt of cortisol which is as we’ve heard the stress hormone and
as we’ve heard the stress hormone and
as we’ve heard the stress hormone and adrenaline into your system essentially
adrenaline into your system essentially
adrenaline into your system essentially what it’s telling you is that you should
what it’s telling you is that you should
what it’s telling you is that you should either run away or you should hit Mikey
either run away or you should hit Mikey
either run away or you should hit Mikey and possibly eat him now at this point
and possibly eat him now at this point
and possibly eat him now at this point your rational brain kicks in and it
your rational brain kicks in and it
your rational brain kicks in and it comes up with various solutions comes up
comes up with various solutions comes up
comes up with various solutions comes up with various calculations so calculation
with various calculations so calculation
with various calculations so calculation number one what’s the likelihood at a
number one what’s the likelihood at a
number one what’s the likelihood at a TEDx talk that a small semi-naked
TEDx talk that a small semi-naked
TEDx talk that a small semi-naked creature is going to be running around
secondly if it attacks us statistically
secondly if it attacks us statistically it’s not going to attack me first
it’s not going to attack me first
it’s not going to attack me first thirdly thirdly there are a few of us
thirdly thirdly there are a few of us
thirdly thirdly there are a few of us here we could probably overwhelm him and
here we could probably overwhelm him and
here we could probably overwhelm him and 40 hmm how Bera Singh is it going to be
40 hmm how Bera Singh is it going to be
40 hmm how Bera Singh is it going to be if I’m the only one who stands up
if I’m the only one who stands up
if I’m the only one who stands up screaming and runs out so it’s at this
screaming and runs out so it’s at this
screaming and runs out so it’s at this point that our brain puts everything
point that our brain puts everything
point that our brain puts everything together rationally and says okay we’ll
together rationally and says okay we’ll
together rationally and says okay we’ll go with it he’s apart he’s a puppet and
go with it he’s apart he’s a puppet and
go with it he’s apart he’s a puppet and then you laugh now this is what
then you laugh now this is what
then you laugh now this is what psychologists call the laughter of
psychologists call the laughter of
psychologists call the laughter of relief it’s an ancient response to the
relief it’s an ancient response to the
relief it’s an ancient response to the passing of danger on our hypotheticals a
passing of danger on our hypotheticals a
passing of danger on our hypotheticals a savanna the the saber-tooth tiger has
savanna the the saber-tooth tiger has
savanna the the saber-tooth tiger has gone and so the group’s response is to
gone and so the group’s response is to
gone and so the group’s response is to laugh now what this does this mechanism
laugh now what this does this mechanism
laugh now what this does this mechanism does is to lower those stress levels it
does is to lower those stress levels it
does is to lower those stress levels it takes the heart rate down and what it
takes the heart rate down and what it
takes the heart rate down and what it does is it creates a sense of social
does is it creates a sense of social
does is it creates a sense of social well-being it’s a bit of a high and in
well-being it’s a bit of a high and in
well-being it’s a bit of a high and in fact theatrically speaking that is
fact theatrically speaking that is
fact theatrically speaking that is exactly what we want to turn a group of
exactly what we want to turn a group of
exactly what we want to turn a group of somewhat apprehensive individuals into
somewhat apprehensive individuals into
somewhat apprehensive individuals into an audience so what else are we doing
an audience so what else are we doing
an audience so what else are we doing here let’s say let’s have a look at
here let’s say let’s have a look at
here let’s say let’s have a look at breath okay Mikey right going to do some
breath okay Mikey right going to do some
breath okay Mikey right going to do some breathing now now breath has four parts
breathing now now breath has four parts
breathing now now breath has four parts we have the in-breath we have the top of
we have the in-breath we have the top of
we have the in-breath we have the top of the breath we have the out-breath and
the breath we have the out-breath and
the breath we have the out-breath and then the bottom of the breath and so it
then the bottom of the breath and so it
then the bottom of the breath and so it goes on so you can see that Mikey is
goes on so you can see that Mikey is
goes on so you can see that Mikey is doing what will we take it some kind of
doing what will we take it some kind of
doing what will we take it some kind of Tai Chi here so what we’re going to do
Tai Chi here so what we’re going to do
Tai Chi here so what we’re going to do is we’re going to take this down
is we’re going to take this down
is we’re going to take this down okay so Mikey let’s take this down a
okay so Mikey let’s take this down a
okay so Mikey let’s take this down a little bit and down and down and there
little bit and down and down and there
little bit and down and down and there now I think we can all see the moment
now I think we can all see the moment
now I think we can all see the moment that Mikey dies you come on what’s the
that Mikey dies you come on what’s the
that Mikey dies you come on what’s the matter with you okay okay okay go my
matter with you okay okay okay go my
matter with you okay okay okay go my breath are so long so Mikey dies when he
breath are so long so Mikey dies when he
breath are so long so Mikey dies when he doesn’t display breath and what’s going
doesn’t display breath and what’s going
doesn’t display breath and what’s going on there is that your survival brain
on there is that your survival brain
on there is that your survival brain your lizard brain is detecting the
your lizard brain is detecting the
your lizard brain is detecting the absence of breath now the absence of
absence of breath now the absence of
absence of breath now the absence of breath is in
breath is in
breath is in because that means death and it could
because that means death and it could
because that means death and it could mean disease and that’s danger and this
mean disease and that’s danger and this
mean disease and that’s danger and this is one of the reasons why say lifelike
is one of the reasons why say lifelike
is one of the reasons why say lifelike dolls and lifelike robots are so uncanny
dolls and lifelike robots are so uncanny
dolls and lifelike robots are so uncanny it’s because we’re detecting the absence
it’s because we’re detecting the absence
it’s because we’re detecting the absence of breath and therefore danger so what
of breath and therefore danger so what
of breath and therefore danger so what else is going on here
else is going on here
else is going on here well Mikey’s got a sense of balance Evan
well Mikey’s got a sense of balance Evan
well Mikey’s got a sense of balance Evan you Mikey I sure have watch me dance I
you Mikey I sure have watch me dance I
you Mikey I sure have watch me dance I can dance to rumba how about on one foot
can dance to rumba how about on one foot
can dance to rumba how about on one foot whoa there you like that don’t you
whoa there you like that don’t you
whoa there you like that don’t you so what our puppeteers are doing there
so what our puppeteers are doing there
so what our puppeteers are doing there is that making it look like that mikey
is that making it look like that mikey
is that making it look like that mikey is autonomously controlling himself but
is autonomously controlling himself but
is autonomously controlling himself but he’s got a sense of balance okay let’s
he’s got a sense of balance okay let’s
he’s got a sense of balance okay let’s take it a bit further Mikey let’s have a
take it a bit further Mikey let’s have a
take it a bit further Mikey let’s have a walk no problem I’m gonna go see these
walk no problem I’m gonna go see these
walk no problem I’m gonna go see these ladies over here oh whoa whoa I did not
ladies over here oh whoa whoa I did not
ladies over here oh whoa whoa I did not see the edge of that table okay Triana
see the edge of that table okay Triana
see the edge of that table okay Triana with you okay so whilst Mikey’s looking
with you okay so whilst Mikey’s looking
with you okay so whilst Mikey’s looking over the edge of the table let’s look at
over the edge of the table let’s look at
over the edge of the table let’s look at something else you can see empathy he’s
something else you can see empathy he’s
something else you can see empathy he’s got skin that looks somewhat lifelike
got skin that looks somewhat lifelike
got skin that looks somewhat lifelike he’s just wearing pants he’s vulnerable
he’s just wearing pants he’s vulnerable
he’s just wearing pants he’s vulnerable but perhaps most importantly what
but perhaps most importantly what
but perhaps most importantly what neuroscience has discovered fairly
neuroscience has discovered fairly
neuroscience has discovered fairly recently is a thing called the motor
recently is a thing called the motor
recently is a thing called the motor neurone now the motor neurone is
neurone now the motor neurone is
neurone now the motor neurone is something which is responsible for
something which is responsible for
something which is responsible for what’s called automatic imitation and
what’s called automatic imitation and
what’s called automatic imitation and that’s a process whereby when we are
that’s a process whereby when we are
that’s a process whereby when we are relating to somebody and in this case
relating to somebody and in this case
relating to somebody and in this case Mikey we’re making tiny little imitative
Mikey we’re making tiny little imitative
Mikey we’re making tiny little imitative mute movements which are imitating him
mute movements which are imitating him
mute movements which are imitating him facially and it’s thought that this is
facially and it’s thought that this is
facially and it’s thought that this is how we empathize with people how we
how we empathize with people how we
how we empathize with people how we understand their feelings and their
understand their feelings and their
understand their feelings and their emotions in fact there is an experiment
emotions in fact there is an experiment
emotions in fact there is an experiment done where there were people who had had
done where there were people who had had
done where there were people who had had Botox treatment which freezes various
Botox treatment which freezes various
Botox treatment which freezes various muscles in the face and they were asked
muscles in the face and they were asked
muscles in the face and they were asked to to identify the emotions on a series
to to identify the emotions on a series
to to identify the emotions on a series of faces shown to them on screens and
of faces shown to them on screens and
of faces shown to them on screens and they scored lower in the test because
they scored lower in the test because
they scored lower in the test because they were unable to make this these
they were unable to make this these
they were unable to make this these imitative movements with their face
imitative movements with their face
imitative movements with their face because those muscles had been paralyzed
because those muscles had been paralyzed
because those muscles had been paralyzed so we put this all together
so we put this all together
so we put this all together Mikey would you like to climb those wall
Mikey would you like to climb those wall
Mikey would you like to climb those wall bars there these babies those are the
bars there these babies those are the
bars there these babies those are the what sure thing
what sure thing
what sure thing I can claim any wall bars around when we
I can claim any wall bars around when we
I can claim any wall bars around when we got here hey no problem hey yeah yeah
got here hey no problem hey yeah yeah
got here hey no problem hey yeah yeah piece of cake yeah very good very good
piece of cake yeah very good very good
piece of cake yeah very good very good very good I’m Mikey how about this
very good I’m Mikey how about this
very good I’m Mikey how about this trampoline down here hey sure thing
trampoline down here hey sure thing
trampoline down here hey sure thing hmm no you like to stay in shape I do
hmm no you like to stay in shape I do
hmm no you like to stay in shape I do like to stay in shape
like to stay in shape
like to stay in shape what do you think huh look at my belly
what do you think huh look at my belly
what do you think huh look at my belly oh okay here we go watch me fly huh oh
oh okay here we go watch me fly huh oh
oh okay here we go watch me fly huh oh look how high I can get huh hey how
look how high I can get huh hey how
look how high I can get huh hey how about a little um squash whoa sideways
about a little um squash whoa sideways
about a little um squash whoa sideways other ways any way you want to whoa okay
other ways any way you want to whoa okay
other ways any way you want to whoa okay so whilst Mikey’s doing this let’s go on
so whilst Mikey’s doing this let’s go on
so whilst Mikey’s doing this let’s go on to something else
to something else
to something else focus our puppeteers here are focusing
focus our puppeteers here are focusing
focus our puppeteers here are focusing intensely on Mikey treating him as if he
intensely on Mikey treating him as if he
intensely on Mikey treating him as if he is alive now this goes back to another
is alive now this goes back to another
is alive now this goes back to another ancient reaction again on our savanna
ancient reaction again on our savanna
ancient reaction again on our savanna one person sees something and they’re
one person sees something and they’re
one person sees something and they’re looking intently everybody else will
looking intently everybody else will
looking intently everybody else will follow
follow
follow it’s an ancient survival reaction to
it’s an ancient survival reaction to
it’s an ancient survival reaction to protect the group so Mikey huh you like
protect the group so Mikey huh you like
protect the group so Mikey huh you like to take over sure thing go for it good
huh okay I’m a puppet right bit of foam
huh okay I’m a puppet right bit of foam aluminum the whole bit without these
aluminum the whole bit without these
aluminum the whole bit without these guys I’m nothing but you you want to
guys I’m nothing but you you want to
guys I’m nothing but you you want to believe in me right I’m different and as
believe in me right I’m different and as
believe in me right I’m different and as long as I’m breathing and moving they
long as I’m breathing and moving they
long as I’m breathing and moving they can convince you I’m alive if they’re if
can convince you I’m alive if they’re if
can convince you I’m alive if they’re if they’re doing it correctly my movements
they’re doing it correctly my movements
they’re doing it correctly my movements correspond to what cognitive
correspond to what cognitive
correspond to what cognitive neuroscientists call your internal
neuroscientists call your internal
neuroscientists call your internal models that is your mental picture of
models that is your mental picture of
models that is your mental picture of reality it’s based on a mix of your past
reality it’s based on a mix of your past
reality it’s based on a mix of your past experiences and in total conjecture of
experiences and in total conjecture of
experiences and in total conjecture of what reality is like the brain takes our
what reality is like the brain takes our
what reality is like the brain takes our sense perceptions and measures them
sense perceptions and measures them
sense perceptions and measures them against our internal model and puts
against our internal model and puts
against our internal model and puts together the most likely explanation if
together the most likely explanation if
together the most likely explanation if I look like
I look like
I look like I’m walking I’m walking right yeah
I’m walking I’m walking right yeah
I’m walking I’m walking right yeah you’ve seen it before we make up a story
you’ve seen it before we make up a story
you’ve seen it before we make up a story we confabulate sometimes our senses see
we confabulate sometimes our senses see
we confabulate sometimes our senses see things that don’t quite fit that model
things that don’t quite fit that model
things that don’t quite fit that model but the brain don’t even register it
but the brain don’t even register it
but the brain don’t even register it when you’re old lizard brain is up and
when you’re old lizard brain is up and
when you’re old lizard brain is up and running remember we’re making quick
running remember we’re making quick
running remember we’re making quick decisions pop and it’s telling you I’m
decisions pop and it’s telling you I’m
decisions pop and it’s telling you I’m alive even though my lips ain’t movin
alive even though my lips ain’t movin
alive even though my lips ain’t movin and I’m still talking of course your
and I’m still talking of course your
and I’m still talking of course your social brain yeah prefrontal cortex is
social brain yeah prefrontal cortex is
social brain yeah prefrontal cortex is going of course he’s not alive he’s got
going of course he’s not alive he’s got
going of course he’s not alive he’s got hands all over and this is a social
hands all over and this is a social
hands all over and this is a social occasion I am being into intellectual by
occasion I am being into intellectual by
occasion I am being into intellectual by sitting in a TEDx talk look at me and my
sitting in a TEDx talk look at me and my
sitting in a TEDx talk look at me and my black polo neck well let me tell you
black polo neck well let me tell you
black polo neck well let me tell you something sweet cheeks I ain’t working
something sweet cheeks I ain’t working
something sweet cheeks I ain’t working without your old lizard brain doing his
without your old lizard brain doing his
without your old lizard brain doing his bit you’re gonna tell me that’s
bit you’re gonna tell me that’s
bit you’re gonna tell me that’s intellectual ah jeez come on guys get me
intellectual ah jeez come on guys get me
intellectual ah jeez come on guys get me out of here okay thank you
so I hope what we’ve demonstrated there
so I hope what we’ve demonstrated there is a fairly strong idea of how your
is a fairly strong idea of how your
is a fairly strong idea of how your survival brain is actually trumping your
survival brain is actually trumping your
survival brain is actually trumping your rational brain they’re given the choice
rational brain they’re given the choice
rational brain they’re given the choice your brain rejects its default setting
your brain rejects its default setting
your brain rejects its default setting is to reject ambiguity so on one hand
is to reject ambiguity so on one hand
is to reject ambiguity so on one hand your rational explanation is I have a
your rational explanation is I have a
your rational explanation is I have a few three people here playing around
few three people here playing around
few three people here playing around with a doll on a table but your survival
with a doll on a table but your survival
with a doll on a table but your survival brain is far more emotional it’s
brain is far more emotional it’s
brain is far more emotional it’s detecting life and given this far more
detecting life and given this far more
detecting life and given this far more emotional input which incidentally is
emotional input which incidentally is
emotional input which incidentally is triggered before the rational brain has
triggered before the rational brain has
triggered before the rational brain has come to any kind of conclusion we go
come to any kind of conclusion we go
come to any kind of conclusion we go with that your survival brain I think
with that your survival brain I think
with that your survival brain I think what samuel taylor coleridge the the
what samuel taylor coleridge the the
what samuel taylor coleridge the the romantic poet poet might call the
romantic poet poet might call the
romantic poet poet might call the willing suspension of disbelief however
willing suspension of disbelief however
willing suspension of disbelief however I’d like to maybe say that what we’ve
I’d like to maybe say that what we’ve
I’d like to maybe say that what we’ve seen calls that willingness into into
seen calls that willingness into into
seen calls that willingness into into question we see we project faces onto
question we see we project faces onto
question we see we project faces onto patterns we don’t know anything about it
patterns we don’t know anything about it
patterns we don’t know anything about it but we’re making automatic imitations of
but we’re making automatic imitations of
but we’re making automatic imitations of people’s movements around us
people’s movements around us
people’s movements around us we’re also detecting the absence of
we’re also detecting the absence of
we’re also detecting the absence of breath but we’re not consciously aware
breath but we’re not consciously aware
breath but we’re not consciously aware of this these are not acts of will so
of this these are not acts of will so
of this these are not acts of will so why is this important why is this no
why is this important why is this no
why is this important why is this no more than just a diverting parlor game
more than just a diverting parlor game
more than just a diverting parlor game well in the case of our puppeteers what
well in the case of our puppeteers what
well in the case of our puppeteers what they’re doing is they’re hijacking your
they’re doing is they’re hijacking your
they’re doing is they’re hijacking your survival brain in order to sell you the
survival brain in order to sell you the
survival brain in order to sell you the illusion of life
illusion of life
illusion of life remember the amygdala we’re playing on
remember the amygdala we’re playing on
remember the amygdala we’re playing on the amygdala its decisions a very short
the amygdala its decisions a very short
the amygdala its decisions a very short term and they’re only in the interest of
term and they’re only in the interest of
term and they’re only in the interest of getting you out of danger they don’t
getting you out of danger they don’t
getting you out of danger they don’t care what you do afterwards
care what you do afterwards
care what you do afterwards that’s for your rational brain to deal
that’s for your rational brain to deal
that’s for your rational brain to deal with however would you use this
with however would you use this
with however would you use this decision-making process say to buy a car
decision-making process say to buy a car
decision-making process say to buy a car or to plan your finances or maybe even
or to plan your finances or maybe even
or to plan your finances or maybe even to vote maybe not but then as rational
to vote maybe not but then as rational
to vote maybe not but then as rational people I have to ask you why is it that
people I have to ask you why is it that
people I have to ask you why is it that this rational brain versus survival
this rational brain versus survival
this rational brain versus survival brain model or lizard brain as it’s
brain model or lizard brain as it’s
brain model or lizard brain as it’s become known has been so successful in
become known has been so successful in
become known has been so successful in advertising and politics
advertising and politics
advertising and politics now in puppetry were just using this
now in puppetry were just using this
now in puppetry were just using this hijacking to sell you life whereas in
hijacking to sell you life whereas in
hijacking to sell you life whereas in advertising and politics your survival
advertising and politics your survival
advertising and politics your survival brain is being hijacked in order to sell
brain is being hijacked in order to sell
brain is being hijacked in order to sell you through sex fear anger outrage
you through sex fear anger outrage
you through sex fear anger outrage revenge scapegoating pretty much
revenge scapegoating pretty much
revenge scapegoating pretty much anything and the grand illusion here is
anything and the grand illusion here is
anything and the grand illusion here is that having made one of these skewed
that having made one of these skewed
that having made one of these skewed lizard brain decisions your rational
lizard brain decisions your rational
lizard brain decisions your rational brain will then go on to utterly justify
brain will then go on to utterly justify
brain will then go on to utterly justify that decision as totally rational now
that decision as totally rational now
that decision as totally rational now they get me wrong emotions are important
they get me wrong emotions are important
they get me wrong emotions are important in decision making in fact people who’ve
in decision making in fact people who’ve
in decision making in fact people who’ve had damage to their amygdala find it
had damage to their amygdala find it
had damage to their amygdala find it very difficult to make make any kind of
very difficult to make make any kind of
very difficult to make make any kind of decision and the reason for that is
decision and the reason for that is
decision and the reason for that is because they they’ve lost that emotional
because they they’ve lost that emotional
because they they’ve lost that emotional component that allows them to settle on
component that allows them to settle on
component that allows them to settle on a final decision nevertheless is there a
a final decision nevertheless is there a
a final decision nevertheless is there a way that we can escape from this Hall of
way that we can escape from this Hall of
way that we can escape from this Hall of Mirrors is there a way that we can
Mirrors is there a way that we can
Mirrors is there a way that we can control this idea that we are being
control this idea that we are being
control this idea that we are being manipulated
manipulated
manipulated can we take back control well it appears
can we take back control well it appears
can we take back control well it appears we can because whereas our rational
we can because whereas our rational
we can because whereas our rational brain its measurement the IQ stays the
brain its measurement the IQ stays the
brain its measurement the IQ stays the same throughout our life we can improve
same throughout our life we can improve
same throughout our life we can improve our EQ our emotional intelligence now
our EQ our emotional intelligence now
our EQ our emotional intelligence now this is the ability to regulate that
this is the ability to regulate that
this is the ability to regulate that seesaw between the lizard brain and the
seesaw between the lizard brain and the
seesaw between the lizard brain and the rational brain and so if we take time to
rational brain and so if we take time to
rational brain and so if we take time to develop our emotional intelligence
develop our emotional intelligence
develop our emotional intelligence perhaps through mindfulness there’s many
perhaps through mindfulness there’s many
perhaps through mindfulness there’s many ways it’s been seen that it allows us to
ways it’s been seen that it allows us to
ways it’s been seen that it allows us to develop greater empathy with others and
develop greater empathy with others and
develop greater empathy with others and the benefits of this is it makes this
the benefits of this is it makes this
the benefits of this is it makes this far better at working in groups and
far better at working in groups and
far better at working in groups and playing and also better leaders
playing and also better leaders
playing and also better leaders furthermore we make better decisions for
furthermore we make better decisions for
furthermore we make better decisions for ourselves for others and the groups to
ourselves for others and the groups to
ourselves for others and the groups to which we belong neurologically speaking
which we belong neurologically speaking
which we belong neurologically speaking what’s actually going on there is that
what’s actually going on there is that
what’s actually going on there is that you are laying down new
you are laying down new
you are laying down new neural pathways now the limbic system
neural pathways now the limbic system
neural pathways now the limbic system actually has far greater pathways far
actually has far greater pathways far
actually has far greater pathways far stronger pathways up into your neocortex
stronger pathways up into your neocortex
stronger pathways up into your neocortex than those going the other way and this
than those going the other way and this
than those going the other way and this does something to address the balance in
does something to address the balance in
does something to address the balance in fact it’s just described as something
fact it’s just described as something
fact it’s just described as something similar to learning a musical instrument
similar to learning a musical instrument
similar to learning a musical instrument so finally I just like to say don’t
so finally I just like to say don’t
so finally I just like to say don’t Seymour puppet shows because I think
Seymour puppet shows because I think
Seymour puppet shows because I think they can tell you a little more about
they can tell you a little more about
they can tell you a little more about the way you think you make decisions and
the way you think you make decisions and
the way you think you make decisions and you perceive the world than you might
you perceive the world than you might
you perceive the world than you might think
think
think thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
”
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