I love stories.
If you do too, read on about the boy with the three brains.
Every culture, every civilization needs a shared story that most of its members believe in — really believe in. We call this our socially constructed view of reality or more commonly “reality.” We know it’s working when most individuals in the culture share a similar narrative in their basic understanding of how things are, how they got that way, and what we should do next.
But what happens when someone wanders too far from the personal narrative and/or the collective story? It seems to be all about balance, and this is precisely where our story begins.
Once upon a time…
Nicholas is small for his age. He’s really quick though. And smart. I should know. He is my younger brother. He’s 11.
The strangest thing about him is he keeps saying that he has three brains! This is strange because his head isn’t any bigger than other people’s heads. Besides, no one else ever says this.
The other day we were just hanging around when he tried to explain this to me, once again. This is what I remember. At least what I think I remember. It’s all about evolution and how our brains have evolved.
We all have three brains or three different, basic parts to our brain, and these three parts have been developing for millions of years. Our first part can be called the reptilian brain, considering we share this part with alligators, frogs, turtles, etc. This part of our brain is all that reptiles have, and this part of our brain functions for us exactly how it functions for all reptiles. It directs our instincts for staying alive. This includes breathing, drinking, eating, procreating, hunting for food, protecting ourselves, making quick exits when we are threatened — like when a bear or car or really big guy is after us.
The second part is our mammalian brain, which we have in common with all mammals. This part is far more complex and it adds to life’s complexity as well. So what can a monkey or dog or horse do that a snake or lizard can’t? Lots of things, including taking care of and protecting their young, forming tribes/herds/packs, solving basic problems, having far-superior movement, and being able to communicate with additional sounds, just for starters. Most important, though, may be the ability to have strong emotions. Powerful emotions like love, anger, sadness, joy and fear all come from this part of our brain. Lucky reptiles have only one brain and a much simpler life.
The third part is our distinctly human brain, which is much bigger than the other two parts combined. It allows us to understand and create things like the use of fire, the wheel, language, numbers, planes, medicinal drugs, nuclear bombs, etc. So many things! It also allows us to create a variety of possible lifestyles and cultures. Whereas dogs from every continent follow the same inborn rules for forming a pack, humans can create any sort of community. The options are innumerable – tribal life, city life, different types of “isms” like capitalism or socialism, various ways to honor God, different systems to enforce right vs. wrong. You get the picture.
The most amazing thing, according to Nicholas, is that he “hears” each of his three brains “talking to him” all day long. Like when another student cuts in line. His mammalian brain says “Arrghh. What is going on here? I don’t like it!” His reptilian brain isn’t sure whether to fight or be quiet. His human brain believes that a simple conversation with the right words could be effective. When Nicholas sees a young girl that he likes, the mammalian brain falls in love very quickly. The reptilian brain screams “yum.” The human brain says, “Let’s go say hi.” At other times, the mammalian brain is afraid and the human brain doesn’t want to talk to her at all. Or when he thinks a teacher is being unfair, is mammalian brain says: “unfair.” His reptilian brain wants to fight. His human brain comes up with many possibilities for what to do.
Nicholas wonders why we aren’t taught at school what to do with these three “voices.” In fact, he wonders why no one ever talks about it. His mammalian brain feels curious and sad. His reptilian brain wants to make an issue of it. His human brain says, “There has got to be a reason, and it’s possible to start this important conversation.”
So I am helping him out by writing this blog. Are you aware of having three brains and their corresponding “voices”? Do you know what to do when all three are talking at the same time or when they suggest drastically different actions? Do you know which “voice” to follow? Please tell me so that I can share your responses with Nicholas. I know he will be both excited and grateful.
I almost forgot. My name is Gita. Nice meeting you.
Dr. Neal Klein is an esteemed author, professor, dance professional, and co-founder of the Possibility Detectives.
