I find neuroscience fascinating. The recent advances in understanding our brain and behaviors makes for interesting reading. AI adds intriguing possibilities to what we can uncover, as well as what humans & AI together can achieve. This is a detailed look at how our brains possibly create thought and ideas.

The key question is - how does a physical (neural) circuit create non-physical ideas? Research has shown that thought is a systems product – it is not a neuron-level outcome. I have read elsewhere as well on how the brain creates the world we see for us. A good example this book starts with is color, which does not exist in physical form. The color we see is a result of wavelengths objects reflect, the color cones in our retina and our neural circuitry. Hence, people do not have the exact same sense of color. Men & women, especially, often see differently due to chromosome differences (I now have a defense with my wife who tells me I many times incorrectly label many color shades). Similar to color, ideas are not physical entities. The working of the brain is complex – after all, it has to make sense of our context & events and provide a viewpoint to us (based on what it sees via eyes, hears via ears, etc).

This book takes a detailed look at how our brains are structured, work and potentially create thoughts and ideas. Though I mentioned at the start that I find neuroscience fascinating, I recognize that it is a complex subject. The research & citations in the book are extensive and while I appreciate the level of detail, I found many sections to be dense. Very interesting content but would have benefited with more conversational & experience-based writing.

I loved how the book started from the smallest neural connections and built up to big-picture ideas like communication and social impact. It’s a bit technical, but the way it’s broken down kept me engaged. Not an easy read, but if you're curious about the science of thought, it’s absolutely worth reading!