Survival of the Fittest

(approx. reading time: 6 minutes)

Last week I mentioned prehistoric humans, and it got me thinking. Today, I present a challenge: let's reimagine how genetic adaptations can be harnessed for our "out of control potential future lives"!

Introducing “The Irrefutable Biological Role Models of Prehistoric Dudes for a Better Life.”

Entrepreneur and investor Naval Ravikant sees the work paradigm shifting from structured, local, and constant to a more freelance approach. This approach is flexible, not tied to a specific location, and focuses on short, intense work periods aimed at achieving specific goals quickly. There's also an emphasis on taking breaks to recharge for the next task. More like a lion, resting and strategizing before the next hunt or business endeavor.

Historian Yuval Noah Harari noted that adaptability and speed are key in our fast-paced digital era. This resonates with the prehistoric lifestyle: always on the move, ever-adaptable.

So, is there something we can learn here?

And are we really that different from our ancestors, or have we just swapped physical predators for digital ones?

Are we that different from our ancestors?

We often talk about developing new habits, but what does that entail? It's a process of rewiring our brains, a task that becomes increasingly challenging as habits solidify.

The more we do something, the more we deepen the new morphology of our brains. We create "river grooves" in our brain's landscape. The more we repeat an activity, the more the new neurological paths carve and shape the morphology of our "new" brains; the more water flows through the river, the deeper the river grooves get, the more water... this is the basics of neuroplasticity.

Essentially, our actions influence our brain's structure. The more we repeat an activity, the easier it gets and the more difficult it is to change it. Habits literally change our brains, altering who we are.

Consider the timeline:

• After two days of a new habit, it's still challenging.

• After 21 days, it becomes easier, making it more likely to stick.

• By 3 months, the habit becomes second nature, requiring little thought.

• Over years or a lifetime, habits become deeply ingrained.

• Over centuries, cultural and societal influences have deeply impacted our behavior. For example, centuries of subjugation have led some South American indigenous people to develop a submissive attitude towards colonizers.

• After thousands of years, societal and cultural norms shape our thinking and actions, even if we don't actively subscribe to them. For instance, 2000 years of Christianity affect us regardless of personal beliefs.

• And after millions of years? Our primal instincts and behaviors didn't substantially evolve at this time. So imagine how deeply rooted our habits are in the prehistoric way of life.

We can change habits thanks to neuroplasticity and hard work, but we still have the same "base" brain our prehistoric ancestors had.

Going against these deep-seated habits can cause internal conflict. We're living in an era where our innate, prehistoric instincts are clashing with the demands of a digital society.

As a species, we're doing things that are fundamentally against our evolutionary programming. Our ancestors needed movement, awareness, and community for survival. Today, our technology-driven lives often lead us to neglect these basic needs. We find ourselves unfocused, sedentary, and incapable of stillness.

Do you think that our current lifestyle and new technology affect our brain morphology? Please go read the book "The Shallows" by Nicholas Carr if you still have doubts about it. Great book.

I was one of the people who saw the iPhone as a transient trend (yes, that’s me...), and look at us now. It really changed us. You just have to look at pictures of people in the subway 30 years ago versus today.

How are we going to react to the profound change that AI, robotics, and automation will have on us? Factor in the fast pace and abrupt manner in which these new technologies will be adopted.

Our brains are sensitive to change. Language and religion took a long time to establish. The conquest of South America by the Europeans was quick and traumatic.

Don’t worry, humans are very adaptable, so we are going to be okay, but it is going to be challenging. Maybe our friend, the prehistoric dude, can offer us some guidance.

Prehistoric life

It helps to see oneself from a distance, from another perspective. Throughout history, stories in the form of fireside tales, myths, and religious parables have conveyed lessons and provided examples for better living.

Does visualizing ourselves as characters in a novel aid our understanding? Absolutely. Empathy, a unique human trait, enables us to comprehend different perspectives.

I like the idea of using a character to draw some teachings and lessons from it. That's why I created the prehistoric dude. Believe me, I have others.

Let's consider our ancestors practices:

• Being aware and awake to survive predators

• Resting mentally and physically to be aware and awake to survive predators

So how can we build off of our ancestral traits in our digital age? Here are three main abililites we can use for our future survival:

1- Survival skills and mastery of fostering focus:

• Our ancestors created fire. We can adapt AI into our lives for efficiency and productivity.

• Our ancestors made tools. We can learn to create AI assistants to our advantage.

• Our ancestors constructed shelter. We can prioritize mental and physical health.

2- Adaptability:

Our ancestors adapted to various climates and geographies as they migrated.

In the AI era, continuous learning and adaptability are paramount for navigating and embracing change.

3- Social Cohesion:

Just as our ancestors developed language and social structures for cooperative survival, we must understand new social platforms, build communities, and nurture them.

Let’s make this really simple. Here’s a list of what to avoid so that our ancestral instinct can thrive:

• Lack of a Clear and Fulfilling Goal: Not understanding our environment, its threats, and challenges can lead to aimlessness. Cultivate curiosity, learn about AI and the future, and enhance your survival skills.

• Feeling Left Behind in Society: This is akin to not being adept at using the essential tools of our time. Adapt AI to your life to stay current and competitive.

• Being Unfocused, Unproductive, and Out of Control: This is like not having the sharpened mental awareness necessary for survival. Learn to combat unfocused and scattered attention to gain clarity and productivity.

Additional points:

• Stimulate the adventurer mindset. I have a lot of days when the routine makes me lose motivation. On those days, I imagine myself as a prehistoric hunter.

  • What is the most important thing to do today? Survive and protect my family. From what? Doomscrolling, sedentarism, and overstimulation.

  • See consuming information as a way of gathering food. Train your mental sharpness to distill the good from the bad (sharpen your tool). Every day is going to be special with new innovations and possible applications; are you aware of opportunities?

  • What is the machine you use to sharpen your tool? Your body. How can you move and use your body as intended?

  • What else can you think of?

Are we knowledgeable about what our predators are in the digital era? 

Do dopamine addiction and unfocused, scattered attention sound familiar to you?

And do we know how to rest mentally and physically?

I would say firm, nope. Hours I had spent sitting in a chair or sofa per year = 3 thousand approx. = almost 9 days. We can all do better.

It's ironic that technological advancement is leading to a disconnection from our primal selves. Besides, we risk losing sight of our identity amid the abundance of information, stimulation, and self-absortion, struggling to balance our innate human nature with the demands of a digital era.

By understanding and embracing our primal instincts, we can navigate the complexities of the modern world more effectively. Don't forget, we share the same brain. This offers an enriched sense of purpose and a deeper connection with our primal instincts and nature.

Each historical period presents its own set of challenges and opportunities, and the response of humanity in each era is a testament to our resilience and adaptability.

I love to feel like I'm using the wisdom of old thinkers or the biological wisdom of our brain's genetics.

Thank you for your time.

My news picks

• By 2033, AI could enable a four-day workweek.

• Learn AI with Amazon. Free educational courses on generative AI.

• Nick Cave’s letter to AI. “We are fighting for the very soul of the world”

• The entire story about the Game of Thrones-style pickle in OpenAI

• A 1h general-audience introduction to Large Language Models

• Do we have a date for artificial general intelligence? AI startup founders debate

Cool Tools and more…

• Endel personalizes soundscapes with AI to optimize your sleep.

• Definite pulls all your data into a single place for analytics and dashboards.

• WoeBot is your AI mental health ally.

• QuizeRise is an AI-driven platform for creating quizzes and flashcards from various contents, like PDFs and URLs.

• HeartheWeb effortlessly creates podcasts from text.

And that’s all. I hope these insights, news, and tools help you prepare for the future!

Have a really nice week.

Stay kind.

Rafa TV