The Human Operating Manual

The HOM letters intertwined to form a human
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Discovery Basics

What discovery means and why discovery is an integral part of living a fulfilled life.

Building Learning Ecosystems and the old schooling system and why it presents learning as something you are either good or bad at rather than the purpose of our existence (predator vs prey response). Learning is about acquiring a broad spectrum of multisensory information not retaining data in a procedural fashion. The current education system is aversion therapy. It’s purpose is different from our current expectations. Be an autodidact. If learning is not rewarding enough, we will find other responses to information. At about the age of 12 we decline in our independent logical inquiry and become disproportionately dedicated to seeking the approval of others.

At the center of many of these questions the role of education is key. It seems that we must shift away from concentrating on only information digesting towards designing new meaning and solutions, ensuring our learners have the instruments, processes, freedom, space and technologies to do so in the most effective way. This could then provide a way to access many opportunities, collating, prototyping and using data in different, organic and emerging ways. This could support better goal setting and decision making and finding meaningful education, which helps learners to deal with redundancy and develop skills such as critical thinking and self-regulation.

  • Learning how to critically think and acknowledge biases (see mental models)
  • Collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity
  • Memory “tricks” and notetaking techniques. Reminder that memory techniques are great for important info but a waste of energy if it’s for the sake of remembering (like competitions).
  • Our energy limitation and necessity to store information as a second brain rather than trying to remember small facts. Read/learn to understand greater concepts.

Jeremy Nixon Problems List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JrTIfIEM90y_WeHFMzNgVynrpuyq-SSVkVAUno644iY/edit?usp%3Dsharing&sa=D&ust=1596495076391000&usg=AOvVaw3nLoD5ZQJ48yc9ULWzMwOc

Memory Functions

The hippocampus activity produces theta waves, which are particularly frequent during REM sleep. Hippocampus activity can be boosted with meditation.

Long-term memory: Declarative (processes info, semantics and events) and procedural memory (skills). Sufficient sleep has shown to improve both. Insufficient REM is associated with poor spatial skills.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is associated with plasticity and memory function of the nerve cells. LTP refers to the strong and frequent initial activation of certain synapses which brings about strengthening of these pathways. The NMDA receptor and calcium contribute to LTP. Also, the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, nitric oxide synthase, dopamine receptor, and glutamate receptor.

  • In the early phase (expression), synapses become sensitized to impulses and increase the number of receptors. In the late phase, the repeated impulses induce protein synthesis in the cell.

Long-term depression (LTD) is where the intensity of signals is reduced. This prevents synapses from being overloaded and maintains stability of the brain and CNS. This occurs by increasing (LTP) or reducing (LTD) the number of NMDA receptors. Equivalent to a hormonal negative feedback system.

Methods and nutrients that contribute to long-term potentiation and brain plasticity:

  • Caffeine
  • tDCS
  • rTMS
  • Nicotine
  • Meditation
  • Racetams
  • Magnesium (especially Mg threonate)
  • Forskolin

Sensory memory stores short-term memory data until a conceptual interpretation has been completed. Short-term working memory represents the information storage currently in use for work or other activities.

Decision making. Working memory can be divided up into verbal and non-verbal. When WM is functioning, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activates.

The capacity of working memory (George Miller), is estimated to be between 5 and 9 information chunks. In reality it is probably 3-5. DLPFC for processing of memorized information and VLPFC for the maintenance of memorized information. In saying that, memory involves integrating sensory areas and motor patterns so it isn’t limited to them.

Conducting working memory exercises have been found to increase dopamine receptors (DRD1) in the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe.

Effective Methods for developing working memory:

  • Meditation
  • Regular physical activity
  • HIIT
  • Barefoot running
  • Yoga
  • Tonal (harmonious) music – fast classical in a major key activates working memory and boosts processing speed particularly in the elderly (Vivaldi effect).
  • tDCS
  • Dual N-Back training
  • Creatine monohydrate
  • Caffeine and theanine
  • Panax ginseng and Bacopa monnieri
  • Nicotine
  • L-tyrosine
  • Turmeric and circumin
  • Phosphatidlyserine

Research in brain function and learning: https://www.apa.org/education-career/k12/brain-function

  • Adult learning and the importance of increasing desire for learning by utilising mimicry. The new workforce will be tailored for those who can learn quickly. Job security can’t be guaranteed when technology is constantly changing.
  • Good environment for learning – dust, green plants, temp, smell, moisture, etc.
  • Not using deductive reasoning too heavily since it relies on having the truth about the original concept. Be skeptical like a physicist.
  • Montessouri, Ken Wilber, Building a second brain, Rudolf Steiner
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