How Humans Grew Acorn Brains: The Evolution of Long-Term Thinking and Planning

How Humans Grew Acorn Brains: The Evolution of Long-Term Thinking and Planning

In our modern world, we often find ourselves faced with long-term crises that require immediate action. However, humanity's track record in responding to these challenges has been less than exemplary. One area where we struggle is in our response to the climate emergency. While its impacts are already being felt, our ability to take decisive action has been painstakingly slow. This is where our neuroanatomy comes into play.

Deep within our brains, there exists an ancient part known as the Marshmallow Brain. This part of our neuroanatomy, which is approximately 80 million years old, is responsible for our focus on instant rewards and immediate gratification. It is the part that pushes us to indulge in the sweet treat without considering the long-term consequences. Interestingly, the ability to delay gratification is heavily influenced by socioeconomic factors. Those from wealthier backgrounds find it easier to resist the treat, while individuals with a lack of trust and fear of scarcity are more likely to gobble it up.

However, alongside the Marshmallow Brain, we possess a newer part of our neuroanatomy known as the Acorn Brain. Located in the frontal lobe just above our eyes, specifically in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, this part of our brain gives us a rare ability to think, plan, and strategize over long timeframes. It is this Acorn Brain that holds the key to tackling long-term challenges like the ecological crisis. To overcome these challenges, we must tap into our unrivaled ability to become part-time residents of the future.

According to evolutionary psychologists and archaeologists, there are four main explanations for the evolution of our long-term brains. The first explanation is known as "wayfinding." Over a period of two million years, our protohuman ancestors developed the capacity to navigate through physical space. This skill was crucial for hunting, foraging, and finding shelter. It required thinking and planning over long distances and timeframes.

The second explanation, often referred to as the "grandmother effect," highlights the importance of grandparents in reducing infant and child mortality. Anthropologists and evolutionary biologists have discovered that older post-reproductive females provide vital childcare, knowledge, and other forms of support that increase the survival chances of the young. This relationship of trust and reciprocity is built on the understanding that help given in the present will likely be returned in the future. Time is woven into the fabric of mutual aid.

The third explanation for our long-term brains lies in our genius for toolmaking. As our brains grew and we developed the ability to make complex tools, we also developed the capacity to plan and execute complex sequences of actions. The ability to plan making a stone tool enabled us to plan other forward-looking actions with long time horizons, such as crop rotation or building a pyramid. Our ability to think and plan over long timeframes is deeply intertwined with our capacity for toolmaking.

Now, let's shift gears and explore how our love for books and reading relates to our ability to understand others and cultivate empathy. Elizabeth Khuri Chandler, the co-founder of Goodreads, shares her insights on the origin story of the platform. As a child, Chandler found solace and learning through books. Reading allowed her to explore different worlds and live thousands of lives through the pages of books. It was a way for her to understand other people and gain valuable life lessons.

When Chandler co-founded Goodreads, she wanted to create a platform that would allow users to connect with their friends and the larger reading community. The idea was to prioritize friends' reviews when searching for a book, fostering a sense of trust and personal connection. Additionally, the platform offered author interviews and book recommendations, driven by a pure love for books and a desire to create a space for book enthusiasts.

One interesting feature of Goodreads is the ability to track what you read. Chandler herself was a compulsive tracker of her reading habits and took the time to input every book she had read into her profile. This practice not only allows users to keep a record of their reading journey but also serves as a reminder of the books they have enjoyed and the lessons they have learned.

Furthermore, Goodreads provides an opportunity to explore books that may not naturally align with our preferences. Reading someone else's favorite book, even if it falls outside of our usual genre, can be a transformative experience. It allows us to broaden our horizons and gain new perspectives. Research has shown that reading books fosters empathy, and Goodreads exemplifies this by enabling users to learn about others through the books that hold deep meaning to them.

Now, let's synthesize these two seemingly unrelated topics and draw some actionable advice:

• 1. Cultivate long-term thinking: Tap into your Acorn Brain and train yourself to think beyond instant gratification. Consider the long-term consequences of your actions and make decisions that align with your long-term goals.

• 2. Foster empathy through reading: Use platforms like Goodreads to explore books recommended by others, even if they are outside of your comfort zone. By reading someone else's favorite book, you can gain insights into their experiences and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding.

• 3. Take collective action: Just as our ancestors relied on mutual aid and reciprocity, we must recognize the importance of collective action in addressing long-term crises. Find ways to collaborate with others, build trust, and work towards a shared future.

In conclusion, our evolution has gifted us with the ability to think and plan over long timeframes. By utilizing our Acorn Brain and tapping into our capacity for empathy through reading, we can overcome the challenges of today and create a better future. Let us embrace our unique cognitive abilities and work together to tackle long-term crises head-on.