Think Yin, Do Yang
Our brains are mind-boggling.
Example: There are more possible connection patterns between nerve cells in one human brain than atoms in the known universe, which is approximately 10 followed by 80 zeroes.
Fortunately, neuroscientists have discovered some brains facts that are not beyond comprehension. We now know that different regions of the brain perform specific mental tasks.
Two brain parts play pivotal roles in the life cycle of the Undone.
When they work together, the Undone is small and weak. When they don’t, it grows big and strong.
These two parts are like yin and yang, complementary opposites working together in dynamic equilibrium. Yin is cool, calm and introspective. Yang is warm, active and assertive.
The prefrontal cortex, or PFC, is the yin. As its name implies, it sits right at the front of the brain, behind the forehead.
If the brain is a house party, the PFC is that person who says, “Hey guys, don’t you think we should turn it down a little?”
The PFC thinks. Specifically, it considers possibilities, simulates outcomes and inhibits - holds us back - from doing things we may later regret. It toys with ideas and generates intentions, or tentative plans.
The basal ganglia, or BG, is the yang. It is a group of nerve clusters in the middle of the brain.
At the brain house party, the BG is that person efficiently working behind the scenes to ensure the event runs smoothly.
The BG does. Specifically, it runs algorithms that use input from inside and outside the skull to generate output in the form of “Go” or “No-go.” It is not concerned with appearances, ego or potential regret. It does not make plans. It takes action - now.
The PFC and BG communicate with each other continuously. The PFC provides guidance, suggestions and policy recommendations to the BG. The BG checks in with the PFC to make sure its algorithms are aligned with big-picture goals.
When nothing particularly urgent or exciting is happening, the PFC has complete veto power over the BG. It can slam the brakes on before “Go” turns the ignition switch.
When we’re going with the flow, moving and grooving in realtime, our BG is driving while the PFC is along for the ride.
In other words, thinking about taking action happens in the PFC. Actions are initiated by the BG.
We are encouraged to use our PFCs as much as we possibly can. We’re encouraged to think ahead, slow down, restrain our impulses and check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. Calm, cool consideration, we learn, is evidence of wisdom. Using reason, logic and forethought, they say, is what makes us uniquely human.
There is evidence to back this up. Humans have the largest PFCs in the animal kingdom, so it makes sense to lean into this evolutionary advantage. We endured catastrophic, extinction level events by using our PFCs to improvise, adapt and overcome. Naked and hairless, we made it through ice ages by killing furry animals and wearing their skins. When our teeth could not chew available foods, we cooked. Without claws to tackle prey, we threw rocks and spears.
And most importantly, we passed knowledge on to friends, family and eventually to other tribes, allowing tips and tricks to accumulate over time. Our PFCs enabled us to see past seemingly impossible situations, envisioning futures in which we survived.
The PFC is good at thinking ahead. It’s also good at second-guessing, doubting, hesitating, over-analyzing and putting things off until more information is gathered.
When the PFC and the BG are playing their respective parts, deferring to one another when appropriate, we do things without thinking too much. More often than we’d like to admit, however, we decide to do things and then… don’t.
In the next episode, we’ll get into the scientific explanation for this phenomenon, which is clearly the demon seed of the Undone.
Spoiler alert: Scientists do not recognize the terms “demon seed” or “Undone.”