A simple model for the brain: a computer that can run several different types of programs. Genetics determine the “operating system”, but at certain stages of our development, we are vulnerable to imprints; programs that modify the circuits in our brain and thus constrain the other programs (conditioning, learning) that we can run in later life. For example, the first experience a newborn has with their mother is a strong determinant of their future anxiety/self-confidence; an adolescent’s experiences during puberty shape their sexual preferences as an adult. Wilson explores these ideas through the lens of Timothy O’Leary’s Eight-circuit model of consciousness. The first four circuits are closely analogous to the psychoanalytical work of Freud and Jung: the bio-survival circuit that codes for “advance vs retreat”, the emotional-territorial circuit that codes for socially dominant/submissive behaviour, the time-binding semantic circuit represents the rational mind, and the socio-sexual circuit encodes our morality. Wilson also tugs on some interesting speculative threads about the role of these circuits in society, for example, how politicians tap into circuits I and II (e.g. Trump creating an “us vs them” emotional-territorial circuit II trigger) to subvert the rational circuit III. He playfully explores the links between these psychoanalytical ideas and various aspects of mysticism and religion; in particular, there is some lucid commentary of Finnegan’s Wake, which had previously been beyond incomprehensible to me. The subsequent chapters, discussing circuits V-VIII, become very weird: according to Wilson the neurogenetic circuit VI would allow our brain to read into our DNA to understand our genetic history and tap into “previous lives”; the non-local quantum circuit VIII can supposedly connect us with the quantum foam of the universe, allowing for extra-sensory perception, astral projections etc. Some of circuit V-VIII capabilities do seem plausible: there is growing evidence that breathing techniques and certain yoga practices can materially improve health outcomes (see the Huberman Lab podcast), supporting Wilson’s description of the neurosomatic circuit V. The chapter on metaprogramming (circuit VII) was especially interesting to me: the ultimate expression of neural plasticity and self-awareness should be our ability to actively change our circuits. Another thing: almost all of Ws predictions are very wrong: commercial life extension by 1998, widespread genetic editing in humans by 2004, large scale space colonisation by 2028. His criticisms of rationalism were thought-provoking and incisive: for instance, “rationalist” scientists historically have a very poor track record of accepting new paradigms (Kuhn). As Max Planck said, “science progresses funeral by funeral”.

Rationalism is just another such group art-work, a little less tolerant than most, a little more useful to technologists than any other, a little stupid when it can no longer transcend the last paradigm it has created. Some may bristle at the idea that our brains can be modelled as computers running programs, and that we are slaves to our imprints and instincts. But when the computer reaches a level of sophistication wherein it can understand its own program, and further still, modify the program then it can unleash the full power of the flame of Prometheus. The revolutionaries of any decade will become the reactionaries of the next decade, if they do not change their nervous system, because the world around them is changing.

Key ideas

  • The Thinker and the Prover: a manifestation of Motivated Reasoning

  • Our minds can be modelled as computers, with four types of programs:

    • genetic imperatives (hard-wired from birth)
    • imprints – programs received at critical points in our brain’s development that shape the future conditioning/learning we can do
    • conditioning
    • learning

  • Eight circuit model:

    • our brain has eight circuits that can be imprinted at different times
    • almost everybody has the first four, and they loosely map onto Freud/Jung’s psychoanalysis
    • circuits V-VIII are more speculative
    • communication failures arise from targeting communication to the wrong circuit

  • Circuit I: Bio-survival

    • when newborn, we seek comfort and security from our mothers
    • good/nourishing vs bad/threatening
    • imprints here lead to anxiety vs self-confidence: retreat vs advance
    • nowadays. money is the main trigger of the bio-survival circuit

  • Circuit II: Emotional-territoiral

    • when we begin to walk, the emotional-territorial (anal) circuit triggers
    • we try to identify a pecking order
    • imprinted for: dominance vs submission

  • Circuit III: Time-binding semantic circuit (”rational mind”)

    • equivalent to Freud’s ego.
    • imprints here code for articulateness, dexterity, “intelligence”
    • older imprints from circuits I/II can easily overcome the rational mind
    • this circuit has a tendency for exponential growth but it is kept in check by the moral-sexual circuit

    Circuit IV: socio-sexual “moral” circuit

    • imprints occur during puberty; imprints tend to bind very strongly
    • imprints determine sexual behaviour – puritanism vs deviance
    • RAW thinks sexual taboos prevent humans from actualising Speculative circuits:
    • Brainwashing/reimprinting: reduce to Circuit I vulnerability to reprogram (see e.g military, cults) On rationalists:
    • rationalists create a reality that precludes the existence of psychic experiences
    • rationalists have a bad track record of overcoming their imprints: see Kuhn’s scientific revolutions.