Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain

Introduction The success and popularity of David Eagleman’s newest book Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain is no secret. This humorous yet stimulating book explores the exciting world of our unconscious mind and all its contradictions. Eagleman is a prominent neuroscientist and director of the Laboratory for Perception and Action at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also directs the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law. Eagleman is best known for his publications on time perception, synesthesia, and neuroscience law. Book Summary Incognito can be divided into two main parts. The first half of the novel focuses on the workings of our unconscious brain. One of the most important points that Eagleman emphasizes throughout the entire novel is that the majority of our thoughts and behaviors are the result of unconscious processes that are either inaccessible to our conscious mind or function more efficiently when our conscious mind does not interfere. These unconscious processes are largely the result of evolution, learned experiences, genetics, and the influences of our environment. Our unconscious mind also plays a huge role in our perception of reality. Our perception of reality is often an illusion because we see with our brain and not our eyes. This means that we see only because our brain is able to interpret the information about the light waves detected by our eyes. Our unconscious brain modifies our perception of reality based on past experiences and often fills in missing information. The role of the conscious mind is to learn how to solve new problems. Through practice the conscious mind teaches the unconscious brain how to solve the problem so well that it rewires the brain; as a result, that solution or behavior is more efficiently produced by the unconscious mind. The conscious mind controls our unconscious subprograms by distributing control and resources and allowing communication between different areas of the brain. Our conscious mind is active when the something goes wrong with these subprograms or events violate our expectations. It also serves as a mediator between many of the rival teams that make up our unconscious including the left versus right hemisphere and the rational versus emotional systems. While the role of the conscious mind is an important one, its role seems small in comparison to all the behaviors our unconscious brain is responsible for. In the second half of Incognito, Eagleman explains the implications of the revelations about the unconscious that were the focus of previous chapters. The main implication according to Eagleman is that what we have learned about the unconscious brain conflicts with the way our justice system judges and sentences criminals. Currently, our legal system is based on the assumption that as humans we have free will and thus, are fully responsible for our actions. We are judged based on this assumption; unless it is proven that something impaired our mind’s control over our body while performing the criminal action. This presents a problem when we consider the way our brain works. Since, the majority of our thoughts and behaviors are the result of unconscious processes in the brain; this leaves very little room, if any, for the concept of free will. Additionally, not all brains are created equal because we cannot choose our genetics or the environment where we are raised, both of which are involved in shaping our unconscious brain. Eagleman argues that the question of free will should not matter in legal sentencing because research has shown that we are not as in control of our actions as we would like to think. He further argues the question of blameworthiness--the extent to which the criminal is to blame and the extent to which his biology is to blame--no longer makes sense either. This is because scientists now realize there is no distinction between our biology and decision-making. Additionally, as technology improves and we become better able to detect how behavior is caused by the microscopic details of our brain, more and more lawyers and criminals will appeal to the defense of biological mitigators, and more criminals will be judged not blameworthy. Consequently, the defense that the criminal’s actions were due to biological processes over which the criminal had no control is no longer valid. It is safe to assume that all criminals have something anomalous about their brain even though our current technology is not always sophisticated enough to detect anything. The solution Eagleman proposes is not to stop punishing criminals, but to change the way we punish them. He supports personalized sentences based on the likelihood of re-offense with those more likely of re-offense serving longer sentences. He further argues more emphasis should be on rehabilitation. Eagleman explains a new rehabilitation strategy called the prefrontal workout. The goal is to improve impulse control and through practice strengthen the neural circuits involved in long-term decision-making. Eagleman states that criminals should only be punished when their behavior is capable of being changed, or modified. If their behavior is not capable of being changed, then they should not be punished, but instead be taken into the care of the government. Overall, Eagleman suggests a legal system based our knowledge of the neural system that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Eagleman concludes by stating that while the revelation that our conscious mind is not at the center of who we are may seem like a dethronement of ourselves, this is not a something to be viewed negatively. Dethronement opens up the possibility of new discoveries, a better understanding of mankind and ourselves as individuals, as well as improved social policy. Evaluation I would strongly recommend Incognito to anyone who is interested in neuroscience, both novices and experts. While I have only started studying neuroscience this year, I was familiar with a fair amount of the topics discussed in Incognito such as how easily our perception can be tricked. At the same time, I learned about a great deal of interesting things that were new to me. For example, I had no idea about the extent to which our brains will go to provide a coherent narrative or seek patterns and explanations where none exist. The information presented is strongly grounded in massive amounts of neuroscience research that when synthesized provide an excellent overview of numerous aspects and views regarding the unconscious. It contains a great wealth of useful, innovative, and surprising information that is creatively presented in an easy to understand manner while still retaining its accuracy and thought provoking quality. Eagleman achieves this difficult feat of balancing simplicity with validity by using a variety of unique comparisons to our everyday world. Most importantly his style of writing is interactive and actively engages the reader by providing quick easy ways for the reader to experience firsthand what he is discussing while simultaneously demonstrating the truth of his claims. Eagleman proposes alterations to our legal system that are more compatible with our new understanding of the unconscious. While I agree with Eagleman’s proposed shift of focus from punishment to rehabilitation, he fails to fully explain the specifics regarding how we would actually go about implementing these changes. For example, while Eagleman makes it clear that free will and blameworthiness should not matter, he is not clear whether anything other than evidence and the jury’s determination of whether the accused committed the act should matter. Nor, does Eagleman clearly explain how we should or even could go about gaining popular approval from the people of America. He simply acknowledges that while it will be hard to make the shift from retribution to rehabilitation, that as a society we have been capable of changing social policy based on better understanding in the past. He compares his proposed to changes to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This comparison belittles the struggle and hard won victory of the African American people, while inflating the severity of the perceived problem with the setup of the legal system. I believe this is one of the poorest comparisons he could have made and it is most definitely the worst comparison in the entire book. Additionally, the practicality of Eagleman’s proposed prefrontal workout is limited. First, the prefrontal workout is still in the early stages of research. It is not known how effective it is on improving impulse control or if it is effective for a wide range of people. Second, the technology required for the prefrontal workout is very expensive because it requires the use of real time feedback brain imaging. Many prisons will not be able to afford to buy such expensive brain imaging machines with their budgets. Also, this rehabilitation strategy would require prisons to be able to hire personnel who are trained to use brain imaging as well as properly lead the rehabilitation. The prefrontal workout as rehabilitation for criminal is not practical and would probably be better suited to the setting of a behavior health hospital. There is a significant disconnect between Eagleman’s fascinating, humorous, and well explained exploration of the functions of the unconscious mind in the first half of Incognito and his well-meaning, but poorly proposed alterations to the legal system. In spite of Eagleman’s failure to explain how we would go about implementing his proposed alterations to the justice system, he does thoroughly explain and support his reasons for believing such changes are necessary. Overall, the first part of the book which explored the role of the unconscious mind was better explained, supported, and just more enjoyable in general than Eagleman’s proposal to make the legal system more compatible with neuroscience. Even with Eagleman’s inadequate proposal in mind, I still urge anyone interested in neuroscience or psychology to read Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. The brilliance of the first half of the book far outweighs the shortcomings of the second half. Incognito is the perfect balance of wit and intellect. You will be shocked and amazed when you learn how much your unconscious brain does without your knowledge. Conclusion I strongly believe even those who consider themselves experts in neuroscience will learn a thing or two from Incognito, especially since it talks about some of the most current research being done. Furthermore, the range of topics covered is so vast that it is hard to imagine anyone could already know everything mentioned. But, even if there is someone who knows it all, I still recommend reading Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain because David Eagleman relates neuroscience to some of very strange and humorous questions. After all who doesn’t want to know: How is it possible to get mad at yourself? Or why Topsy the elephant was electrocuted by Tomas Edison in 1916?

Introduction Incognito, The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman, a neuroscientist at Baylor College of Medicine, explores the hidden aspects of the brain. The premise of the book is that the conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg, and that the unconscious brain is an incredible complex and multilayered organ responsible for the vast majority of our actions, outside our willful control. By analyzing the various methods our unconscious brain dictates and influences our behavior, Eagleman seeks to introduce the reader to the vast world of cognitive neuroscience and psychology. Although there are many aspects of the brain that are not fully understood, Eagleman presents his ideas clearly along with research and observations from other scientists. Style and Structure Overall, Incognito was an interesting read. The style of the book is that each chapter explores a facet of the unconscious brain, from our senses to what your name might do with your personality to how our brain adapts automatically to new situations. Eagleman explains concepts using simple to understand comparisons and bases his ideas in real world incidents. For example, Eagleman discusses the idea of the brain consisting of rival components. He used Mel Gibson's drunken anti-Semetic controversy throughout Chapter 5, which I talk about later in this review, as an example of whether there are separate yet connected parts of our mind that rival the personality that we normally show to the world. However, I felt at some parts that there were too many anecdotes in a chapter and I felt disconnected from the overall concept. This book is written like a collection of short stories, and is very slim on technical jargon so the reader will not feel too encumbered or lost. Chapter 2 "The Testimony of the Senses: What Is Experience Really Like?" "Your brain is in the dark, but your mind constructs light." In essence, this is the purpose of all our sensory systems. Eagleman discusses such concepts like vision, perception, and illusion in order to describe the way our brain transforms the electrical signals from our receptor cells into a vivid environment. Eagleman begins the chapter by investigating the difference between seeing and vision. What you see is not decided by your eyes, but you see with your brain instead. He also talks about active vision, where your brain actively seeks to extract information from the world. The concept of active sensing also can apply to the other senses, as well as time. As a result, people who were blind can still perceive the world through the other senses, such as touch or sound. I liked the example of Bach y Rita's experiments and about Mike's experiences with regaining his lost sight. Chapter 3 "Mind: The Gap" In this chapter, Eagleman discusses the role of implicit memory in affecting our actions. An example that I found to be very relatable was when he explained how the brain initially devoted many resources to learn a new activity, but after repeating the activity, the brain devoted little energy to it. The brain developed new machinery in order to efficiently complete the task. He used a new video game as an example. At first, you concentrate very hard in order to learn the controls. However, after you know the ropes, your brain does not devote as much energy to that particular task. This ultimately shows the adaptability and plasticity of the brain. Chapter 5 "The Brain Is a Team of Rivals" The central concept of this chapter is how your brain is in conflict with itself. Eagleman suggests that the brain is always debating with itself in determining the decisions and actions that you take. There can be several factions with different opinions that must work together to reach a solution, so called a "team of rivals". One analogy that Eagleman used was the jury from 12 Angry Men. He discusses the idea of multiple opposing systems in the context of desire, morality, and emotions vs. rationality. In addition to generating conflict, the "team of rivals" exists to help reach a more robust and flexible solution to problems. For example, people who have challenged their brain through old age are able to stave off the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease due to their brain forming many alternate neural pathways that are required to solve complex problems. The lack of a clear and simple solution to puzzles and similar games forces the brain to argue with itself, increasing the flexibility and strength of the brain; this whole idea is called cognitive reserve. The primary lesson from this chapter is that the brain is a collection of systems that work together to drive our actions, as well as cause us to think that we are in control of most of what we do. In fact, the brain functions mostly free from our conscious input, but in the end, our conscious mind is what ultimately prevails. I thought this chapter was the best in the book. Overall Opinion and Recommendations In conclusion, Incognito reveals the depths and diversity of our brain. After reading it, I felt awed by how vast the role of the unconscious brain is. Despite what we presently know, there are still many things that are unknown. In the scope of things, the three pound wrinkled gooey organ is the culmination of us as a species, and for every new connection we make, a thousand more mysteries reveal themselves. The quote at the beginning of Incognito, "Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed" from Blaise Pascal, aptly describes the current state of humans. For people who are not studying neuroscience, this is an excellent book to gain a basic understanding of how the brain works. For students or scientists who have had previous experience with neuroscience topics, this book can serve as an excellent refresher. Unfortunately, for those looking for a difficult or more detailed discussion, this book may be simplistic. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the way Eagleman explained complicated ideas so the average person can understand.

Why do patients on Parkinson's medications become compulsive gamblers? Is a question asked in the book referring to Parkinson's. Tiny changes in the brain can cause changes in behavior, ranging from slight difference to more drastic change. In this book Eagleman talks about Parkinson's, which is a neurodegenerative brain disorder, which can progress slowly. One million people have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in addition to the 50 to 60 thousand diagnosed every year. Parkinson's disease is the number 14th cause of death in the United States. It has been known that some Parkinson's patients, who are taking the drug Pramipexote, turn into gamblers. Pramipexole is a drug that replenishes the Dopamine levels in the brain that have been lost because of the disease. Since Dopamine serves as a messenger in the reward system, the imbalances of Dopamine can trigger things such as: gambling, overeating, and or drug addiction. Incognito is a book that a neuroscientist named David Eagleman wrote, he explains the depths of the subconscious brain. He identifies questions that normal people, such as me, always asked myself. David refers to our brain as the mission control center. He explains what the brain is composed of and how it works. Further within the book he explains parts of the brain as well as what it does and how it works. He also explains situations and questions people may have asked at least once in their life. In chapter one David begins by stating what the brain is made of. The brain, as stated in the book, weighs about three pounds and is extremely complex. The brain is thought to be the most complex thing that could have been discovered. The brain is built of cells that we call neurons, which we have just studied in class. Each cell sends pluses to other cells. There are so many neurons in the brain that one neuron can connect to about ten thousand other neurons. David makes a connection between the complexity of the brain and our knowledge of it. It can be so complex to the point where it may seem forging to us, yet our brain makes us. David introduces a physicist and philosopher named Ernst Mach from the late 1800s. Ernst basically put strips side by side in order by shades. The strips range from black to gray to white and the shades in-between. This connects to seeing colors differently in different shades of light. He gives examples such as where two walls meet, near and away from the light, also in the corners of walls. David also further explains the difference between our brains and our minds. He gives examples of things we do every day to help understand this difference. We do things we aren't consciously aware of because it's like our brain automatically does it. To be able to remember certain things we do every day is actually called procedural memory. Procedural memory is a type of memory that is implicit, and implicit memory means that our brain has the knowledge that our mind can't access. Our brains are wired differently, but for the most part our brains are typically made or create to express proper and appropriate behavior. Humans are attracted to humans and other animals to their kind. For that same reason, healthy, food is our stomachs attractions because the vitamins and other minerals in the food are needed by our body to survive. Attractions are like a survival method, human's help each other survive as well as food help our body survive. Visual illusions have seemed to show deeper aspects which conclude of our thoughts are generated by our brain, as David stated. Brains change their outcomes when someone has suffered something like: a stroke, tumors, drugs, etc. several things can alter the way some behave and the way we rationalize things. Substances and trauma alter our brains function and our minds. I think this book is an easy read and flows well. Most of the book went hand and hand with my Neuroscience class. It made it a bit easier to understand the topics. This book breaks things down for us and explains it using examples and quotes from other psychologist, theologians, philosophers, in addition to physicist. I recommend this book because it's interesting to know how our brains and minds work on a daily bases. It helps understand why we do think and why we sometimes do them differently. This book was written for young adults. It breaks down Neuroscience into something that makes it less difficult to understand. It's written in a way that it doesn't make it misleading or less than what is true. I believe this book is true for the simple fact that it was like repeating my Neuroscience class in the pal of my hands. I liked how examples were provided as well as important quotes. This makes it much realistic because it isn't just one person's opinion. I think it's a good read for people who are interested in Neuroscience or are taking a Neuroscience class. I think I will be helpful as much if not more as it was for me. This book is up to date with the science we know today. Although it is updated it does refer to the past and history of science. I didn't think I would have been interested in this book but I really was. The examples and the referring to the past made it much more interesting for me. ut gave me somewhat of a visual and connection to what I had heard of in the past. In conclusion, I enjoyed this book and Eagleman's thoughts and theories'. Reading this book helps form your own theories and opinions on Neuroscience. It provides a clearer vision into Neuroscience.

Introduction Incognito, The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman, a neuroscientist at Baylor College of Medicine, explores the hidden aspects of the brain. The premise of the book is that the conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg, and that the unconscious brain is an incredible complex and multilayered organ responsible for the vast majority of our actions, outside our willful control. By analyzing the various methods our unconscious brain dictates and influences our behavior, Eagleman seeks to introduce the reader to the vast world of cognitive neuroscience and psychology. Although there are many aspects of the brain that are not fully understood, Eagleman presents his ideas clearly along with research and observations from other scientists. Style and Structure Overall, Incognito was an interesting read. The style of the book is that each chapter explores a facet of the unconscious brain, from our senses to what your name might do with your personality to how our brain adapts automatically to new situations. Eagleman explains concepts using simple to understand comparisons and bases his ideas in real world incidents. For example, Eagleman discusses the idea of the brain consisting of rival components. He used Mel Gibson's drunken anti-Semitic controversy throughout Chapter 5, which I talk about later in this review, as an example of whether there are separate yet connected parts of our mind that rival the personality that we normally show to the world. However, I felt at some parts that there were too many anecdotes in a chapter and I felt disconnected from the overall concept. This book is written like a collection of short stories, and is very slim on technical jargon so the reader will not feel too encumbered or lost. Chapter 2 "The Testimony of the Senses: What Is Experience Really Like?" "Your brain is in the dark, but your mind constructs light." In essence, this is the purpose of all our sensory systems. Eagleman discusses such concepts like vision, perception, and illusion in order to describe the way our brain transforms the electrical signals from our receptor cells into a vivid environment. Eagleman begins the chapter by investigating the difference between seeing and vision. What you see is not decided by your eyes, but you see with your brain instead. He also talks about active vision, where your brain actively seeks to extract information from the world. The concept of active sensing also can apply to the other senses, as well as time. As a result, people who were blind can still perceive the world through the other senses, such as touch or sound. I liked the example of Bach y Rita's experiments and about Mike's experiences with regaining his lost sight. Chapter 3 "Mind: The Gap" In this chapter, Eagleman discusses the role of implicit memory in affecting our actions. An example that I found to be very relatable was when he explained how the brain initially devoted many resources to learn a new activity, but after repeating the activity, the brain devoted little energy to it. The brain developed new machinery in order to efficiently complete the task. He used a new video game as an example. At first, you concentrate very hard in order to learn the controls. However, after you know the ropes, your brain does not devote as much energy to that particular task. This ultimately shows the adaptability and plasticity of the brain. Chapter 5 "The Brain Is a Team of Rivals" The central concept of this chapter is how your brain is in conflict with itself. Eagleman suggests that the brain is always debating with itself in determining the decisions and actions that you take. There can be several factions with different opinions that must work together to reach a solution, so called a "team of rivals". One analogy that Eagleman used was the jury from 12 Angry Men. He discusses the idea of multiple opposing systems in the context of desire, morality, and emotions vs. rationality. In addition to generating conflict, the "team of rivals" exists to help reach a more robust and flexible solution to problems. For example, people who have challenged their brain through old age are able to stave off the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease due to their brain forming many alternate neural pathways that are required to solve complex problems. The lack of a clear and simple solution to puzzles and similar games forces the brain to argue with itself, increasing the flexibility and strength of the brain; this whole idea is called cognitive reserve. The primary lesson from this chapter is that the brain is a collection of systems that work together to drive our actions, as well as cause us to think that we are in control of most of what we do. In fact, the brain functions mostly free from our conscious input, but in the end, our conscious mind is what ultimately prevails. I thought this chapter was the best in the book. Overall Opinion and Recommendations In conclusion, Incognito reveals the depths and diversity of our brain. After reading it, I felt awed by how vast the role of the unconscious brain is. Despite what we presently know, there are still many things that are unknown. In the scope of things, the three pound wrinkled gooey organ is the culmination of us as a species, and for every new connection we make, a thousand more mysteries reveal themselves. The quote at the beginning of Incognito, "Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed" from Blaise Pascal, aptly describes the current state of humans. For people who are not studying neuroscience, this is an excellent book to gain a basic understanding of how the brain works. For students or scientists who have had previous experience with neuroscience topics, this book can serve as an excellent refresher. Unfortunately, for those looking for a difficult or more detailed discussion, this book may be simplistic. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the way Eagleman explained complicated ideas so the average person can understand.

It takes a special amount of finesse for a person to convey to someone that the way they think is not necessarily correct. It is a challenge that all expository writers face, especially when dealing with something as personal as the human brain. David Eagleman, neuroscientist and writer at Baylor College of Medicine, uses his extensive research to tell his audience that the brain relies heavily on an unconscious part of the mind that works behind the scenes to carry out functions and thoughts that we are unaware of. The way he presents it is in a way that uses provocative questions and a bit of humor in his explanations. The strategy to why David Eagleman is successful in keeping the reader interested is because of the way he uses everyday language that is not out of the average reader's vocabulary. In his book Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, David Eagleman tackles many questions that people tend to have concerning the brain. The book is organized into chapters that break down into subchapters, which makes it easy for the reader to follow. His train of thought is evident throughout the book as he explains how he connects two seemingly different subjects. He brings up controversial topics such as religion and questions of identity and offers scientific explanations for them, all the while being relatable to a common audience. Eagleman explains to the reader that discoveries lead us to conclude that biology plays a bigger role in our actions than we previously thought. This catches the reader off guard because it is such an abstract concept. The way he presents information is thought out in a way that would not terribly offend anybody because he addresses both materialistic and mentalistic points of view. I believe that it is important for people to know that things are hardly ever black and white: there is usually a middle ground concerning major issues. He starts his argument by demonstrating simple illusions that show the reader that what you experience is almost entirely based on perceptions and assumptions made by the brain. He says, "[the brain] computes on a need-to-know basis" (Eagleman 28). Eagleman suggests that the brain runs on assumptions because of how we assume that our peripheral vision is better than it actually is. He gives many examples of visual illusions in order to lead into his idea that the brain does a lot of behind the scenes work. These visual illusions and tricks were, at least for me, baffling because they demonstrate the inner workings of the brain that we may take for granted. Eagleman does a great job by luring the reader into the book with these interesting phenomena. The flow from chapter to chapter was seamless. At the end of each idea was a statement connecting it to the next, which goes with one of his central ideas that the brain has both internal and external connections that are made. Throughout the book, he emphasizes that our actions are a combination of our environment and our chemical make-up, or nature and nurture. Eagleman tells the reader that the mind is able to be changed, demonstrating a fundamental concept of neuroscience. I think it is crucial that people understand the brain as an ever-changing, adapting part of the human body. He brings up a number of studies that show how the brain can become more efficient to complete tasks faster and easier (73). He is constantly giving the reader lessons that involve the plasticity of the brain. It is important to take what he says about the brain and apply it to how we look at other aspects of life, and not only sciences, but to society and government as well. Eagleman goes into moral dilemmas that involve crime and punishment. He leads into this controversial topic by explaining Freud's idea of the unconscious mind. Eagleman claims that our minds have their own hardware that is built into it so we have little choice in what we like, how we act, or even who we love. This idea of his is hard to read, especially if the reader has a significant other, but he does not discredit the power of love, he only offers an explanation of it. One example that he gives is how people with a certain type of gene tend to exhibit more criminal behaviors (Eagleman 158). An idea that I agree with is that he proposes the criminal punishment system should change because many criminals have neurological tendencies to do illegal acts. He says that punishment should be more geared towards a way to rehabilitate the criminals with such predispositions instead of punishing them. This is because the punishment does not do as much good as an active rehabilitation. He is sensitive to those who need psychological help and his ideas of reform in the criminal punishment system are revolutionary. People should read this book to better understand the human condition. In the end of his book, Eagleman approaches his main idea: that who we are essentially is dependent on our brain. He brings up the phenomenon of Phineas Gage, a railroad worker who had an accident that left him without part of his frontal lobe (201). This is an appropriate story to support his assertion because after Gage's accident, his personality was completely changed. Even though the story was gruesome to think about, I believe that the previous examples slowly built up the reader's tolerance to real-life situations. Therefore, it was appropriate for Eagleman to include this anecdote. Some readers that are immigrants may find some of his findings disturbing because he suggests that people who feel like they do not fit in are more likely to develop schizophrenia (211). He probably could have been more sensitive about this subject because people with these feelings of being an unwelcome outcast may just be thrown into more doubt and fear. There are other examples that may give other groups of people a sense of fear because of a certain "predisposition" that they have. People tend to be sensitive to their personal shortcomings, and the evidence proposed in this book does not give confidence to those people who are insecure. However, Eagleman is merely giving facts and his goal is not to make people insecure, but to inform and make people think. This is why the book is successful. In conclusion, David Eagleman demonstrates the mysteries of the brain by using many examples that people can relate to. He challenges popular ways of thought by using a scientific and logical approach that is supported by evidence of countless studies and experiences that he presents. His main goal was to get the common reader to think more critically about the different causes of actions and thoughts that happen inside the brain. Another goal that he accomplished was to get the reader to look at humans as a societal group and realize that society changes. He taught me that things should be questioned and to not rule out an explanation until you can fully explain it yourself. This is a life lesson, not just one of the neuroscience field, and this is why I rate this book five out of five stars.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Purpose of my Review: As a Recently Acquired Tech Student (a freshmen at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA), I remember writing an essay on the essence of individuality and the "fact" that what makes me myself, is my thinking. I titled my essay "I think, therefore, I am." But, as a senior at college, upon reading this marvelously penned book on the unconscious brain and it's effects on conscious thought and other "cognitive processes", it has come to dawn on me that I don't know who I am. And, everything from what I think to what I see, hear or perceive is spawned, raised and revealed to "me" by someone who I can never sense: my unconscious. This review is a pitch to all those pumped up "college freshmen egotistic" brains, the ones that think they have figured out the marvels that they themselves are and everything else around them - read this book to realize the fact that, what you know is only what you are being told and half of what you are told is a lie. My Opinion: This book in my opinion cannot be put down by anyone who is even mildly curious about the inner working of the brain. Not only does the author include a plethora of interesting stories/snippets of different brain mechanisms, but also, provides neurologically and scientifically relevant reasoning behind the necessity of these mechanisms. The author also provides a bunch of testable scenarios, illusions and puzzles wherever appropriate to further demonstrate and better convey a particular point. The book though richly informative is in no way formatted to be read only by experts in the field of neuroscience. Though its information is very much relevant as of our understanding of neurology and psychology and the information is taken from published works in neuroscience it is an incredibly easy read. The different sources are also documented in the Notes and Bibliography sections in the back (for the neuroscientists of the world). Summary: Eagleman starts out his book by elucidating the effects of the unconscious brain on decision making in day to day lives in his first chapter, "There's Someone In My Head, But It's Not Me." Then in the next chapter, "The Testimony of the senses: What is Experience Really Like?" he goes on to present us with the concept that what we sense might not actually be what we perceive. He does this through presenting several visual illusions and pointing out several experiments performed which changed the scientific community's perception on perception itself. In the third chapter, "Mind: The Gap", the author explores the differences between implicit and explicit memory and delves into some of the miraculous methods of human learning and thinking. In the next chapter, "The Kind of Thoughts That Are Unthinkable", the author points to the fact that our thoughts are curbed in the context of necessity for survival. We are programmed to think in a way that leads to a higher probability of survival. The author talks about the fact those instincts and certain inbuilt characteristics and traits, which ensure survivorship, are below the level of conscious control. In the next chapter, "The Brain Is a Team of Rivals", a theory that a brain is a summation of parts is explored. In the next chapter, "Why Blameworthiness is The Wrong Question?" a philosophical question about how much our biology effects our conscious decision making is pondered upon. Then the author concludes the book with a questioning of who we actually are and what the power of the unconscious implies in our day to day lives. Highlights: Because I love reading and it takes an incredibly bad book to dissuade me from reading a book, I am incapable of distinguishing parts of this book as great, mediocre or bad (anything I can read is amazing because reading is amazing), I will try to highlight certain parts of the book that I felt were thought provoking and interesting to my brain in an attempt to lure you to read this fantastic book. In Mind: The Gap, the author introduces the concept of implicit egotism. The concept of implicit egotism is wrapped around the idea that you like things that remind you of yourself. For example you are more likely to fall in love with a person named Emmanuel if you are Emily, likewise Patricia might be more attracted to a person named Patrick just because of the fact that the first letters of their names are identical and these letters remind you of your name. The impact of implicit egotism is not restricted to affair of the heart itself but every choice from the place you live to the soccer team you might support might hold an implicit egotistic bias. For example, Alexandr might live in Alexandria and Chelsea might for some reason she never knew support the Chelsea F.C and Lintu might like Lindt chocolates due to the effect of the unconscious on decisions which probably involve a decent level of cognitive processing. Also the philosopher in me found certain philosophical musings about whether my perception of red is similar to you perception of red or whether my red could actually be your yellow to be highly self assuring as finally I believe that there are hordes of people who have eccentric questions like I do. Conclusion: As the author quotes "I cannot grasp all that I am." -Augustine, and after reading this book I have figured out I am not what I think neither are my thoughts influenced solely by me. The credit I take for this book review by naming myself as its author is misleading as well. So I set my ego while I say, read this book and discover the you who you did not know you were, like I did (at least to some extent).

Everyone has a routine. Day to day one goes about their life in order to accomplish a set number of tasks: eating, drinking, traveling, working out, and yet at the end of a given day, can you remember what happened, at any precise moment and distinctly recall what decisions you made and how they were made? When driving to work did you consciously check the mirror when changing lanes or did you automatically look without deciding? What is a hunch? When you checked the other lane and you suspected the other driver couldn't see you, what told you not to change lanes? Intuition? Experience? Or a gut-wrenching sense of knowledge that has no basis or background in the present? David Eagleman, in the his thought-provoking book Incognito: The Secret Life of the Brain, investigates just this; Who's really in charge, the conscious or the subconscious? Eagleman argues, "your consciousness is like a tiny stowaway on a transatlantic steamship, taking credit for the journey without acknowledging the massive engineering underfoot" (p. 4) and eventually goes so far to say that the subconscious actually rules one's life, perception and experiences. This captivating book engages the reader in the first few pages with interactive illusions and mind-bending realizations that intrigue even the most novice reader. However, at times his proposals and theories become a little far-fetched with no background in science but merely grounded in speculation. This is definitely a book that stretches the reader's mind and at times is itself a stretch. The book begins with an evaluation of the "inner-self" and how much we take our subconscious for granted, exploring what day-to-day decisions are actually conscious choices. He raises questions about what we actually know about how our brain works and in how much of our lives free will actually has an effect. He continues with an introduction to sensation and perception engaging the reader with visual illusions and interactive examples that get you thinking about your own ability to think. This is where he establishes the ultimate contradiction that arises with your conscious and subconscious self, which continues to be the main theme throughout the book. The senses he explains are all based in what the brain needs to function, stating that it makes "time-saving and resource-saving assumptions and tries to see the world only as well as it needs to" (p. 54). This not only means our subconscious controls what we sense and how we process outside stimuli, but also may control what we think, feel and believe. Stemming from instinct, our brain often functions without our conscious knowledge, making ongoing decisions based on evolutionary relevance. Eagleman gives examples ranging from individual attraction to language to simply surviving. Ultimately, he explains, creating more and more physical and biological tasks, the unconscious makes the brain more efficient. He gives the example of a professional athlete, who after undergoing years of practice is actually capable of subconsciously making physical decisions on how to execute the next play making him a master of his sport. This efficient and energy-conserving nature of the brain is the ultimate goal of all action. Continuing on, he explains our consciousness simply takes advantage and claims these tasks as our own; as though we are doing everything when so little is truly within our control. This is where Eagleman brings up the most far-fetched topic of the book, relating this inability to truly make our own conscious decisions to the current judicial system and how people are prosecuted for crimes that their "brain" has committed. Since the individual controls no definite conscious decision, all criminals are simply at the mercy of their own physiology. If true freewill is a myth, then how could someone be prosecuted justly when their genetic makeup or some sort of mind-altering pathogen is at the root of their crime? So if the subconscious mind always wins out, why is consciousness relevant at all? He explains it is comparable to a leader, specifically a CEO, directing and assigning new tasks without need or even the ability to understand the inner workings of the specific departments that he controls. He simply knows whom to call on when he needs something accomplished. In the end he concludes that we investigate the brain from a physiological reductionist view and yet it is quite possible there are processes and events occurring within our own minds we have yet to even consider. Ultimately, the very complexity of the brain, of our inner self, logic, behavior, and instinct is turning in on itself and investigating itself for the first time. On the whole Eagleman has written an engaging and thought-provoking book that investigates a multitude of different topics in neuroscience, examining the distinction between consciousness and the subconscious. He expresses complicated theories in a straightforward manner and explains in detail many complex processes of neuroscience in a captivating way, packed with analogies and metaphors that make the content understandable. Even more, he does this without giving a long in-depth background, making it easily readable to those with little to no background in the field. He also presents the majority of his topics in an interactive fashion, engaging the reader with simple stimulating activities that continue to intrigue and draw the reader in. However where he remained fascinating and interesting in style and writing technique, he lost ground in content and redundancy. Throughout the book the line between the conscious and subconscious mechanisms of the brain are investigated, but the author never establishes a true difference or what he believes actually distinguishes one from the other. To what extent does Eagleman actually think the subconscious controls our being? He never explains, leaving many topics open-ended and vague, making his train of thought hard to follow. In addition, he references so many outside sources it is difficult to find the voice of the author. His vagueness coupled with an overload of outside sources is the main downfall of the book. This gives rise to some loose arguments with lots of speculation and little supporting evidence. For example, he uses the crazed breakdown of Mel Gibson in 2006 as a psychological case that describes the possibility of a part of the brain being racist while another remaining neutral. In reality this was most likely the result of alcohol and other narcotics. Another example is his long-winded argument against blameworthiness and the question of the relevance of freewill. To an extent his argument seems valid; mental disorders affect the outcome of various crimes and those who are ill should not be charged in lieu of their disorder. However he goes as far as to suggest a brain-compatible legal system that would "base punishment decisions on neuroplasticity" (p. 188). Stretching to this extreme is rather farfetched and how this would be accomplished is never actually discussed, again leaving a topic open-ended with no conclusion. Ultimately, Incognito by David Eagleman is an intriguing read that would inevitably capture the attention of any reader. His interactive writing style and engaging voice pulls you through thought-provoking passages and really gets you to wonder, how much of me is truly me? The battle between the subconscious and consciousness is a very interesting one and on the forefront of modern neuroscience. Eagleman, however, stretches his conclusions a little too far, pushing the information and research he provides to its limits while getting lost in his attempts to be entertaining with pictures and illusions. In conclusion, an engaging read with intriguing facts but a stretch.

The mechanism that operate behind the our minds' consciousness. That is theme David Eagleman shares with us in his book Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brains. Eagleman is a writer and neuroscientist. He graduated from Rice University with a degree in British and American literature and then obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine. Since then he has written a handful of books discussing time perception, neurolaw, visual illusions, and synthesia. Currently, he serves on editorial boards of scientific journals. I rate this book a 4/5 for it's intensive details, relevant examples, and convincing points. Though the organization of the chapters and topics are confusing at times, the author still did a marvelous job conveying the overall message of the book. Throughout the course of the book, Eagleman constantly questions the everyday concepts we would not ordinarily think about. Why do we perceive a certain trait as beautiful? Do we have complete control over what we desire and do? How is it possible that we get mad at ourselves; who is getting mad at whom? The answers to these questions relates to the common theme of how there are underlying neuro-mechanisms that cause us to be a certain way and not notice it. A pattern throughout the book was bringing to light a simple, obvious question, such as “who do we think we are?” and “who are we really?” Then a series of real life situations, examples, and facts follow that further enforces the idea of how mysterious and complicated our minds are. Eagleman then goes on to discuss how the brain functions on a behavioral level. The book manages to tie in neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, criminal justice, physiology, and politics while remaining concentrated on the main theme of how little we know about ourselves and our thinking processes. Eagleman does an excellent job challenging and engaging on the audience every page of the book. Clinical cases and events are referred to constantly to keep the audience on the same track because the concepts he discusses do get quite complicated. For instance, when on the topic of “who do we think we are and who are we really”, Eagleman uses the the case of Mel Gibson's antisemitic slurs during his drunken rant. We are provided both sides to the story and questioned as to who he really is and what he really thinks. The focus subtly shifts to the degree of punishment he should have received. The neurotransmitters and how they affect certain areas of the brain, how behavior and learning is acquired, and how one acts to how one determines the severity of consequences are all intertwined smoothly in relating the different levels of each area. So not only does this book discuss the mind, but also the cognitive and behavioral aspect of human nature as well. In regards to the organization, some parts may seem as if they were randomly placed. In one chapter discussing “Who the Blame Was On” Eagleman talks about our free will as humans. In the following section, the idea shifts to biology as he provides a new set of cases and examples that ties in with the main topic of the chapter. This jumping back and forth between different levels was not well done. Overall I rate this book a 4/5 for it's detailed information, real life examples and cases, plentiful illustrations, providing a clear point of how the little understanding we have of ourselves. However, the sub-themes are disorganized and scattered throughout the book, which may leave the reader lost. This is a great read and will definitely leave readers with a broader understanding of the brain.