March 14, 2022
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Kris Tyte & Sean Snodgrass
Building Your Best Brain
In this episode of Positively Pedestrian, we consider what type or kind of knowledge would be the most important to have. Since the capacity of the human brain is finite, how might we go about being the best stewards possible when it comes to what we do or don't allow into our brains? We talk about homelessness, the odd concept of hotel room deaths, and even contemplate the possibility of the eternal soul, and if it does in fact exist, what implications it would have on our lives.
Quotable
“I came home with a kind of a learning plan... like a mini walkabout.
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Highlights intentional reflection and self-directed growth as a method for recalibrating goals and personal direction.
Quotable
“Imagine there's this box... and we put it attached to cables.
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Uses humor to illustrate how context shapes perceived difficulty in selling ideas, even when the product is already widely accepted.
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Infographic illustrating memory as a layered chalkboard, where new information overlays older impressions that remain faintly visible.
Quotable
“You remember things surrounding the thing that you've forgotten.
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Describes metacognition and contextual memory recall, where surrounding details trigger forgotten knowledge.
Quotable
“What should I put in this brain?
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Introduces the concept of intentional cognitive curation— choosing what knowledge to retain for optimal utility.
Follow Up Notes
The idea of plug-and-play knowledge reflects a desire for adaptive intelligence, where skills are contextually loaded based on situational needs.
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Infographic depicting a modular brain system where knowledge blocks can be swapped in and out depending on context and task demands.
Quotable
“Creativity is just connecting things that already exist in new ways.
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Defines creativity as recombination rather than invention, emphasizing pattern recognition and synthesis.
Link
Cultural reference to instant knowledge acquisition, inspiring ideas about future cognitive enhancement technologies.
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Infographic showing how identical individuals develop different traits based on environment, experiences, and decision pathways.
Quotable
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
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Famous six-word story demonstrating how minimal information can evoke deep emotional impact.
Photo
Infographic illustrating the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, showing continuity of consciousness across lifetimes.
Quotable
“Maybe we would be kinder to our world if we knew we kept coming back to use it again.
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Suggests long-term accountability could drive more sustainable and ethical behavior.
Follow Up Notes
Many belief systems persist despite internal doubt, highlighting the complexity of conviction and identity.
Quotable
“They’re not able to handle holding two opposing ideas in their mind.
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Describes the difficulty of managing cognitive dissonance without critical thinking practice.
Link
Explains how conflicting beliefs create mental discomfort and how people resolve that tension.
Photo
Infographic visualizing two opposing belief systems competing within the brain, creating tension that must be resolved through adaptation or denial.
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