Lately, I’ve been studying mirror neurons (brain cells that activate when we perform an action or see others do the same). One of the most exciting things about them is their possible role in the “Cultural Big Bang,” or “Great Leap Forward,” in human evolution around 70,000 years ago. This period marked a dramatic increase in creativity and technological innovation as we began to culturally pass down knowledge from generation to generation in more sophisticated ways. (This is distinct from the Chinese Great Leap Forward, which took place from 1958 to 1962 and resulted in a famine that caused the deaths of millions of people.)
I’m also exploring how mirror neurons and interbrain synchrony impact our conversations. This journey into neuroscience raises several intriguing questions, including: “How can knowledge of mirror neurons help us engage in better conversations?” and “Do mirror neurons function the same way during a Zoom call as they do in face-to-face interactions?”
The better we understand ourselves, our evolution, and how our brains function, the better equipped we will be to think more clearly and work together more effectively in our increasingly complex world.
Knowledge Letter: Issue: 290 (Subscribe)
Tags: interbrain synchrony (4) | mirror neurons (3)
RSS: Blog Feed
Photo Credits: Midjourney (Public Domain)
