Wired for Survival: The Rational (and Irrational) Choices We Make, from the Gas Pump to Terrorism

Description

Lessons from the Cutting-Edge of Neuroscience: “Remapping” to Thrive in the New Global Economy! “Do you ever wonder how you think? If you do, this book will fascinate and inform you. If you don’t, you will after reading this book. Either way, you’ll enjoy learning how we don’t usually do it as we think we do, how we may do it better for that very reason, and how we may do it still better once we understand.” ―Thomas C. Schelling, 2005 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics, Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus, University of Maryland   Drawing on cutting-edge research in the neurosciences, Wired for Survival illuminates the surprising security implications of rapid change in the emerging economies and develops practical, technically sound ways to face the challenges of global change.   Researcher and consultant Margaret M. Polski begins by uncovering the remarkable neurobiological underpinnings of policy. Polski reveals why the most effective political and economic policies are codified not in law, treaty, or culture, but in the networks embedded in our bodies and brains...and how protecting our prosperity requires us to adapt those networks to radically new realities.   Next, Polski applies these fresh insights to three critical security issues: how best to defend our national interests; to take offensive action to protect our interests; and to strengthen our financial system. Finally, she provides “rules for the road” that can be applied to a world of problems: how best to compete in global markets; to build stronger, more secure communities; to manage energy and other key resources; to invest in and secure critical infrastructure; to address the structural impacts of trade; and to manage tomorrow’s catastrophes, both natural and man-made.   As a political economist, executive, government advisor, and consultant, Polski has spent more than two decades devising strategies for surviving change in the global political economy. Now, drawing on the breakthrough research in social neuroscience, she offers insights that will help you thrive, not just survive!   “First, kill all the pundits and policy wonks...” Why you’ll make better decisions by thinking for yourself–and how to do it   Thinking in the wild Uncovering the intuitive interactions between our minds, bodies, and 21st century environment   Overcoming our biases, our histories, and our vulnerability to groupthink Mastering the deep motivations that traditional economics doesn’t understand   Cover Contents Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Under the Twinkle of a Fading Star Life Is Very Long We Grope Together Headpieces Filled with Straw Here We Go Round the Prickly Pear Chapter 2: Bits and Pieces Brains and Russian Dolls Mission Control The Brain and Survival Beyond Bits and Pieces Chapter 3: Mind Matter Thinking About Thinking and Choosing The Mind-Body Problem Redux Chapter 4: Thinking in the Wild An Alternative Framework: Intuitive Choice Moving On Chapter 5: Feeling Our Way Learning Machines Knowledge Production Reasoning Flying Circus on Steroids Chapter 6: Mind to Mind Motivating Mind Reading Changing Minds Chapter 7: Brightening the Twinkle of Our Fading Star Rethinking Difficult Questions How Shall We Govern Ourselves in the Years Ahead? References Endnotes Index A B C D E F G H I J-K L M N O P Q-R S T U-Z