Mind Hacks

Chapter 6. Moving: Hacks 62–69

The story of the brain is a story of embodiment, of how much the brain takes for granted the world we’re in and the body that carries it about.

For instance, we assume a certain level of stability in the world. We make assumptions about how our body is able to move within the environment, and if the environment has changed [[Hack #62]], we get confused.

As we assume stability in the world, so too do we assume stability from our body. Why should the brain bother remembering the shape of our own body when it’s simply there to consult? But when our body’s shape doesn’t remain stable, the brain can get confused. You start by getting your fingers mixed up when you cross your hands [[Hack #63]]; you end up convincing your brain that you’re receiving touch sensations from the nearby table [[Hack #64]].

This is also a story of how we interact with the world. Our brains continually assess and anticipate the movements we need to grasp objects, judging correctly even when our eyes are fooled [[Hack #66]]. We’re built for activity, our brains perceiving the uses of an object, its affordances [[Hack #67]], as soon as we look at it—as soon as we see something, we ready ourselves to use it.

We’ll finish on what we use for manipulation: our hands. What makes us right- or left-handed [[Hack #68]]? And, while we’re on the topic, what does all that left-brain, right-brain stuff really mean [[Hack #69]]?

Hack #62. The Broken Escalator Phenomenon: When Autopilot Takes Over ...