Humans – WAKE UP! Get Our Thinking Brains Online

One thing that distinguishes human beings is their capacity for proactive, prolonged aggression, a human characteristic that results from the complex consciousness created by language.¹ Since threats in the form of thoughts and concepts are perceived as concretely as physical threats, many threats are physically acted on.² Many aggressive human behaviours are based on cognitive distortions, stories people make up about themselves and others. One of the most damaging ones is labeling others as “less than.” The physiological effects of threat on the brain compound the problem.

Your Brain Offline

Humans are a reactive and angry species compared to other mammals. They become enraged when necessary to optimize survival, and then they lie down and take a nap. Facing adversity is inevitable, but we not only make it up, but also hold onto it with complex language.

Imagine this: You’re in a heated argument with a friend. Your heart races, your face flushes, and suddenly, you say something you instantly regret. Sound familiar? In that moment, your thinking brain went offline. Blood flow is reduced, and activity is less intense. You cannot access your better judgment, and why are terrible deeds done? (3)

Our ancient ancestors relied on their fight-or-flight response to survive predators and other threats. When a saber-toothed tiger appeared, their bodies flooded with adrenaline, shutting down complex thought so they could react instantly. This survival mechanism saved lives.

But here’s the problem: your brain can’t distinguish between a tiger and a tense conversation with your teacher. That looming deadline? Your brain processes it like a life-threatening danger. That argument on social media? Same response. Your body enters survival mode in response to both perceived and real threats.

The Human Survival Paradox

This is our paradox: the same brain that gave us language, creativity, and the ability to build societies also reacts to everyday stress like we’re fighting for our lives. When we feel threatened—whether by an actual danger or just the stress of an upcoming test—anxiety kicks in. And when we can’t find a solution, that anxiety transforms into anger.

Your Brain on Stress

Here’s what happens physiologically: your brain requires massive energy – about 20% of your body’s energy goes to your brain, compared to just 4-8% in other mammals.(4) When you’re stressed, blood flow shifts from your prefrontal cortex (your rational thinking center) to parts of the brain focused on survival.

Think about a basketball player who misses a critical shot and then plays worse for the rest of the game. They didn’t suddenly lose their skill. Their brain got stuck in survival mode, making accessing the complex skills they’ve practiced thousands of times almost impossible.

The same happens when you bomb a test you studied for or freeze during a presentation. It’s not that you don’t know the material—your brain can’t access that information when it’s in threat mode.

How Beliefs Get Stuck

Your brain forms beliefs through repetition. That’s why propaganda works: tell a lie often enough, and people start believing it. This phenomenon occurs in politics, social media, and even within your friend groups.

A part of your brain called the insula acts as the “womb” of belief formation. Once a belief takes root, challenging it feels like a personal attack. This leads to cognitive dissonance—that uncomfortable feeling when new information conflicts with your existing beliefs.

When faced with this discomfort, most people don’t change their minds. Instead, they double down on their original beliefs, regardless of evidence. Why? Because when we’re stressed, our rational thinking center (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) shuts down, and the emotional insula takes over.

This is why arguments rarely change people’s minds. Once someone feels their identity is threatened, their brain prioritizes emotional security over logic. The more invested someone is in a belief, the harder it is to let go—whether it’s about politics, religion, or which lunch table is the coolest.

The Social Media Trap

Social media algorithms grasp this brain function remarkably well. They provide you with content that reinforces your beliefs, seldom confronting you with opposing views. This results in echo chambers where beliefs grow increasingly rigid and extreme.

These divisions aren’t accidental. Throughout history, those seeking power have exploited chaos and fear to control people. When we’re afraid, our rational thinking goes offline, making us easier to manipulate. We tend to focus narrowly on perceived threats rather than considering the broader picture.

When you feel yourself getting angry or defensive:

1. Recognize the reaction: Notice when your heart races, your face flushes, or your thoughts narrow to just the threat.
2. Pause: Don’t say or do anything while your brain is in survival mode. You literally cannot think clearly in this state.
3. Wait it out: The initial surge of stress hormones typically peaks within 20 seconds and begins to subside after 90 seconds if you don’t feed it with more reactive thoughts.
4. Re-engage with your thinking brain: Only after you’ve calmed down should you address the situation.

Beyond individual moments, we can build environments that encourage healthier thinking:

• Create psychological safety: People are more likely to reconsider their beliefs when they feel secure.
• Expose yourself to various perspectives gradually: Sudden challenges to deeply held beliefs usually backfire.
• Practice reflection: Ask yourself, “What evidence would change my mind?” to engage your rational brain.
• Build resilience against discomfort: Learn to embrace the uncomfortable feeling of having your beliefs challenged.

The Wake-Up Call

Our world faces complex problems that require clear thinking and cooperation. Yet we spend much time with our rational brains offline, reacting to perceived threats instead of thoughtfully responding.

The survival of our species depends on our ability to engage our thinking brains most of the time. We must recognize when we are in survival mode, learn and implement the strategies to bring our brains online. They are readily available.

This isn’t just about avoiding arguments or making better decisions. It’s about evolving beyond our primitive responses to create a world where cooperation outweighs competition, dialogue replaces division, and we use our remarkable human brains to their fullest potential.

For humanity to thrive, we must all wake up to how our brains work—and learn to use them more effectively. “Wake the fun up.” Your brain, your relationships, and our collective future depend on it.

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