Jim Kwik explains how your brain's reticular activating system filters information by relevance. Your name grabs your attention instantly. The questions you ask guide what your brain focuses on next.
The brain primarily is a deletion device. Deletion? Deletion. We're trying to keep information out because if we let everything in— Overload. Yeah, of course. But what we let in, we have part of our nervous system called the RAS that determines this is important to us. So if you're going around in the city and somebody shouts out your name, you're going to turn around. Even if you know logically you don't know that person, your RAS is wired for your name. It's probably one of the first words you learned how to be able to write and say. How much love is associated around the name? What also helps us to channel our RAS us in terms of our focus are the questions we ask.
The Library of Minds: Brain Coach: How to Stay Sharp When AI Does the Thinking | Jim Kwik
