INCOGNITO
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Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain Paperback – Illustrated, May 15, 2012
by David Eagleman (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,322 ratings
If the conscious mind–the part you consider to be you–is just the tip of the iceberg, what is the rest doing?
In this sparkling and provocative book, renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate its surprising mysteries. Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you become consciously aware of danger ahead? Is there a true Mel Gibson? How is your brain like a conflicted democracy engaged in civil war? What do Odysseus and the subprime mortgage meltdown have in common? Why are people whose names begin with J more like to marry other people whose names begin with J? And why is it so difficult to keep a secret?
Taking in brain damage, plane spotting, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, Incognito is a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.
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- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVintage
- Publication dateMay 15, 2012
- Dimensions5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
“Original and provocative. . . . A smart, captivating book that will give you a prefrontal workout.”
—Nature
“A popularizer of impressive gusto . . . [Eagleman] aims, grandly, to do for the study of the mind what Copernicus did for the study of the stars. . . . Incognito proposes a grand new account of the relationship between consciousness and the brain. It is full of dazzling ideas, as it is chockablock with facts and instances.”
—The New York Observer
“Eagleman engagingly sums up recent discoveries about the unconscious processes that dominate our mental life. . . . [He] is the kind of guy who really does make being a neuroscientist look like fun.”
—The New York Times
“Although Incognito is fast-paced, mind-bending stuff, it’s a book for regular folks. Eagleman does a brilliant job refining heavy science into a compelling read. He is a gifted writer.”
—Houston Chronicle
“Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness.”
—The New Yorker
“Incognito does the right thing by diving straight into the deep end and trying to swim. Eagleman, by imagining the future so vividly, puts into relief just how challenging neuroscience is, and will be.”
—The Boston Globe
“Appealing and persuasive.”
—The Wall Street Journal
“Your mind is an elaborate trick, and mastermind David Eagleman explains how the trick works with great lucidity and amazement. Your mind will thank you.”
—Wired
“A fun read by a smart person for smart people. . . . It will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings.”
—New Scientist
“Fascinating. . . . Eagleman has the ability to turn hard science and jargon into interesting and relatable prose, illuminating the mind’s processes with clever analogies and metaphors.”
—Salt Lake City Weekly
“Touches on some of the more intriguing cul-de-sacs of human behavior.”
—Santa Cruz Sentinel
“Startling. . . . It’s a book that will leave you looking at yourself—and the world—differently.”
—Austin American-Statesman
“Sparkling and provocative. . . . A thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.”
—The Courier-Journal
“After you read Eagleman’s breezy treatment of the brain, you will marvel at how much is illusory that we think is real, and how we sometimes function on autopilot without consciously knowing what is happening. . . . This is a fascinating book.”
—The Advocate
“A pleasure to read. . . . If a reader is looking for a fun but illuminating read, Incognito is a good choice. With its nice balance between hard science and entertaining anecdotes, it is a good alternative to the usual brainless summer blockbusters.”
—Deseret News
“Incognito is fun to read, full of neat factoids and clever experiments. . . . Eagleman says he’s looking to do for neuroscience what Carl Sagan did for astrophysics, and he’s already on his way.”
—Texas Monthly
“Eagleman presents difficult neuroscience concepts in an energetic, casual voice with plenty of analogies and examples to ensure that what could easily be an overwhelming catalog of facts remains engaging and accessible. . . . The ideas in Eagleman’s book are well-articulated and entertaining, elucidated with the intelligent, casual tone of an enthusiastic university lecturer.”
—TheMillions.com
“Written in clear, precise language, the book is sure to appeal to readers with an interest in psychology and the human mind, but it will also please people who just want to know, with a little more clarity, what is going on inside their own skulls.”
—Booklist
“A stunning exploration of the we behind the I. Eagleman reveals, with his typical grace and eloquence, all the neural magic tricks behind the cognitive illusion we call reality.”
—Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide
“A fascinating, dynamic, faceted look under the hood of the conscious mind. . . . Equal parts entertaining and illuminating, the case studies, examples and insights in Incognito are more than mere talking points to impressed at the next dinner party, poised instead to radically shift your understanding of the world, other people, and your own mind.”
—Brain Pickings
“Eagleman engagingly sums up recent discoveries about the unconscious processes that dominate our mental life.”
—The New York Times Book Review
“Fascinating. . . . Eagleman has the ability to turn hard science and jargon into interesting and relatable prose, illuminating the mind’s processes with clever analogies and metaphors.”
—Salt Lake City Weekly
“A great beach read.“
—Philadelphia City Paper
“Incognito feels like learning the secrets of a magician. In clear prose, Eagleman condenses complex concepts and reinforces his points through analogies, pop culture, current events, optical illusions, anecdotes, and fun facts.”
—Frontier Psychiatrist
“One of those books that could change everything.”
—Sam Snyder, blog
“Buy this book. The pithy observations, breezy language and wow-inducing anecdotes provide temporary pleasure, but the book’s real strength is in its staying power.“
—Science News
“A whirlwind, high-definition look at the neural underpinnings of our everyday thinking and perception . . . fascinating.”
—Brettworks.com
“Eagleman embodies what is fascinating, fun, and hopeful about modern neuroscience.”
—Brainstorm.com
“After you read Eagleman’s breezy treatment of the brain, you will marvel at how much is illusory that we think is real, and how we sometimes function out autopilot without consciously knowing what is happening. . . . This is a fascinating book.”
—The Advocate
“Funny, gripping and often shocking . . . Eagleman writes great sentences of the sort that you might be inclined to read to those in your general vicinity.”
—bookotron.com
“Incognito reads like a series of fascinating vignettes, offering plenty of pauses for self-reflection. Eagleman’s anecdotes are funny and easily tie to the concepts he explains. Moreover, his enthusiasm for the subject is obvious and contagious.”
—Spectrum Culture
“Incognito is popular science at its best . . . beautifully synthesized.” —Boston Globe Best of 2011
About the Author
DAVID EAGLEMAN is a neuroscientist, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a New York Times bestselling author. His books have been translated into 27 languages. Eagleman heads the Laboratory for Perception and Action at Baylor College of Medicine, and is the founding Director of the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law. He is the author and presenter of the PBS series The Brain.
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Product details
- Publisher : Vintage; Reprint edition (May 15, 2012)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0307389928
- ISBN-13 : 978-0307389923
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #16,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #23 in Popular Neuropsychology
- #48 in Biology (Books)
- #69 in Cognitive Psychology (Books)
- Customer Reviews: 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,322 ratings
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David Eagleman
David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University, an internationally bestselling author, and a Guggenheim Fellow. He is the writer and presenter of The Brain, an Emmy-nominated PBS/BBC television series that asks what it means to be human from a neuroscientist’s point of view. Eagleman’s research encompasses time perception, vision, synesthesia, and the intersection of neuroscience with the legal system. He is the author of many books, including Livewired, Sum, Incognito, The Brain, and The Runaway Species. You can find David on the podcast Inner Cosmos, which recently hit the #1 science podcast in America.
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Customers find the book well-written for non-scientists, filled with cool brain tricks and examples, and engaging with simple stimulating activities throughout. Moreover, the book maintains a good pace and interesting style, with one customer noting its seamless flow from chapter to chapter. However, the humor receives mixed reactions, and some customers consider it not worth the money. Additionally, the spooky content receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as odd but intriguing.
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Top reviews from the United States
- Nicole Fledderman5.0 out of 5 stars There’s No Hiding the Success of Incognito: The Secret Lives of the BrainReviewed in the United States on April 24, 2013Verified PurchaseIntroduction
The success and popularity of David Eagleman’s newest book Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain is no secret. This humorous yet stimulating book explores the exciting world of our unconscious mind and all its contradictions. Eagleman is a prominent neuroscientist and director of the Laboratory for Perception and Action at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also directs the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law. Eagleman is best known for his publications on time perception, synesthesia, and neuroscience law.
Book Summary
Incognito can be divided into two main parts. The first half of the novel focuses on the workings of our unconscious brain. One of the most important points that Eagleman emphasizes throughout the entire novel is that the majority of our thoughts and behaviors are the result of unconscious processes that are either inaccessible to our conscious mind or function more efficiently when our conscious mind does not interfere. These unconscious processes are largely the result of evolution, learned experiences, genetics, and the influences of our environment.
Our unconscious mind also plays a huge role in our perception of reality. Our perception of reality is often an illusion because we see with our brain and not our eyes. This means that we see only because our brain is able to interpret the information about the light waves detected by our eyes. Our unconscious brain modifies our perception of reality based on past experiences and often fills in missing information.
The role of the conscious mind is to learn how to solve new problems. Through practice the conscious mind teaches the unconscious brain how to solve the problem so well that it rewires the brain; as a result, that solution or behavior is more efficiently produced by the unconscious mind. The conscious mind controls our unconscious subprograms by distributing control and resources and allowing communication between different areas of the brain. Our conscious mind is active when the something goes wrong with these subprograms or events violate our expectations. It also serves as a mediator between many of the rival teams that make up our unconscious including the left versus right hemisphere and the rational versus emotional systems. While the role of the conscious mind is an important one, its role seems small in comparison to all the behaviors our unconscious brain is responsible for.
In the second half of Incognito, Eagleman explains the implications of the revelations about the unconscious that were the focus of previous chapters. The main implication according to Eagleman is that what we have learned about the unconscious brain conflicts with the way our justice system judges and sentences criminals. Currently, our legal system is based on the assumption that as humans we have free will and thus, are fully responsible for our actions. We are judged based on this assumption; unless it is proven that something impaired our mind’s control over our body while performing the criminal action. This presents a problem when we consider the way our brain works. Since, the majority of our thoughts and behaviors are the result of unconscious processes in the brain; this leaves very little room, if any, for the concept of free will. Additionally, not all brains are created equal because we cannot choose our genetics or the environment where we are raised, both of which are involved in shaping our unconscious brain.
Eagleman argues that the question of free will should not matter in legal sentencing because research has shown that we are not as in control of our actions as we would like to think. He further argues the question of blameworthiness–the extent to which the criminal is to blame and the extent to which his biology is to blame–no longer makes sense either. This is because scientists now realize there is no distinction between our biology and decision-making. Additionally, as technology improves and we become better able to detect how behavior is caused by the microscopic details of our brain, more and more lawyers and criminals will appeal to the defense of biological mitigators, and more criminals will be judged not blameworthy. Consequently, the defense that the criminal’s actions were due to biological processes over which the criminal had no control is no longer valid. It is safe to assume that all criminals have something anomalous about their brain even though our current technology is not always sophisticated enough to detect anything.
The solution Eagleman proposes is not to stop punishing criminals, but to change the way we punish them. He supports personalized sentences based on the likelihood of re-offense with those more likely of re-offense serving longer sentences. He further argues more emphasis should be on rehabilitation. Eagleman explains a new rehabilitation strategy called the prefrontal workout. The goal is to improve impulse control and through practice strengthen the neural circuits involved in long-term decision-making. Eagleman states that criminals should only be punished when their behavior is capable of being changed, or modified. If their behavior is not capable of being changed, then they should not be punished, but instead be taken into the care of the government. Overall, Eagleman suggests a legal system based our knowledge of the neural system that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Eagleman concludes by stating that while the revelation that our conscious mind is not at the center of who we are may seem like a dethronement of ourselves, this is not a something to be viewed negatively. Dethronement opens up the possibility of new discoveries, a better understanding of mankind and ourselves as individuals, as well as improved social policy.
Evaluation
I would strongly recommend Incognito to anyone who is interested in neuroscience, both novices and experts. While I have only started studying neuroscience this year, I was familiar with a fair amount of the topics discussed in Incognito such as how easily our perception can be tricked. At the same time, I learned about a great deal of interesting things that were new to me. For example, I had no idea about the extent to which our brains will go to provide a coherent narrative or seek patterns and explanations where none exist.
The information presented is strongly grounded in massive amounts of neuroscience research that when synthesized provide an excellent overview of numerous aspects and views regarding the unconscious. It contains a great wealth of useful, innovative, and surprising information that is creatively presented in an easy to understand manner while still retaining its accuracy and thought provoking quality. Eagleman achieves this difficult feat of balancing simplicity with validity by using a variety of unique comparisons to our everyday world. Most importantly his style of writing is interactive and actively engages the reader by providing quick easy ways for the reader to experience firsthand what he is discussing while simultaneously demonstrating the truth of his claims.
Eagleman proposes alterations to our legal system that are more compatible with our new understanding of the unconscious. While I agree with Eagleman’s proposed shift of focus from punishment to rehabilitation, he fails to fully explain the specifics regarding how we would actually go about implementing these changes. For example, while Eagleman makes it clear that free will and blameworthiness should not matter, he is not clear whether anything other than evidence and the jury’s determination of whether the accused committed the act should matter.
Nor, does Eagleman clearly explain how we should or even could go about gaining popular approval from the people of America. He simply acknowledges that while it will be hard to make the shift from retribution to rehabilitation, that as a society we have been capable of changing social policy based on better understanding in the past. He compares his proposed to changes to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This comparison belittles the struggle and hard won victory of the African American people, while inflating the severity of the perceived problem with the setup of the legal system. I believe this is one of the poorest comparisons he could have made and it is most definitely the worst comparison in the entire book.
Additionally, the practicality of Eagleman’s proposed prefrontal workout is limited. First, the prefrontal workout is still in the early stages of research. It is not known how effective it is on improving impulse control or if it is effective for a wide range of people. Second, the technology required for the prefrontal workout is very expensive because it requires the use of real time feedback brain imaging. Many prisons will not be able to afford to buy such expensive brain imaging machines with their budgets. Also, this rehabilitation strategy would require prisons to be able to hire personnel who are trained to use brain imaging as well as properly lead the rehabilitation. The prefrontal workout as rehabilitation for criminal is not practical and would probably be better suited to the setting of a behavior health hospital.
There is a significant disconnect between Eagleman’s fascinating, humorous, and well explained exploration of the functions of the unconscious mind in the first half of Incognito and his well-meaning, but poorly proposed alterations to the legal system. In spite of Eagleman’s failure to explain how we would go about implementing his proposed alterations to the justice system, he does thoroughly explain and support his reasons for believing such changes are necessary. Overall, the first part of the book which explored the role of the unconscious mind was better explained, supported, and just more enjoyable in general than Eagleman’s proposal to make the legal system more compatible with neuroscience.
Even with Eagleman’s inadequate proposal in mind, I still urge anyone interested in neuroscience or psychology to read Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. The brilliance of the first half of the book far outweighs the shortcomings of the second half. Incognito is the perfect balance of wit and intellect. You will be shocked and amazed when you learn how much your unconscious brain does without your knowledge.
Conclusion
I strongly believe even those who consider themselves experts in neuroscience will learn a thing or two from Incognito, especially since it talks about some of the most current research being done. Furthermore, the range of topics covered is so vast that it is hard to imagine anyone could already know everything mentioned. But, even if there is someone who knows it all, I still recommend reading Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain because David Eagleman relates neuroscience to some of very strange and humorous questions. After all who doesn’t want to know: How is it possible to get mad at yourself? Or why Topsy the elephant was electrocuted by Tomas Edison in 1916?
Read more12 people found this helpfulHelpfulReport - BryanW5.0 out of 5 stars Exploring the Human MindReviewed in the United States on December 4, 2012Verified PurchaseIt takes a special amount of finesse for a person to convey to someone that the way they think is not necessarily correct. It is a challenge that all expository writers face, especially when dealing with something as personal as the human brain. David Eagleman, neuroscientist and writer at Baylor College of Medicine, uses his extensive research to tell his audience that the brain relies heavily on an unconscious part of the mind that works behind the scenes to carry out functions and thoughts that we are unaware of. The way he presents it is in a way that uses provocative questions and a bit of humor in his explanations. The strategy to why David Eagleman is successful in keeping the reader interested is because of the way he uses everyday language that is not out of the average reader’s vocabulary.
In his book Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, David Eagleman tackles many questions that people tend to have concerning the brain. The book is organized into chapters that break down into subchapters, which makes it easy for the reader to follow. His train of thought is evident throughout the book as he explains how he connects two seemingly different subjects. He brings up controversial topics such as religion and questions of identity and offers scientific explanations for them, all the while being relatable to a common audience. Eagleman explains to the reader that discoveries lead us to conclude that biology plays a bigger role in our actions than we previously thought. This catches the reader off guard because it is such an abstract concept. The way he presents information is thought out in a way that would not terribly offend anybody because he addresses both materialistic and mentalistic points of view. I believe that it is important for people to know that things are hardly ever black and white: there is usually a middle ground concerning major issues.
He starts his argument by demonstrating simple illusions that show the reader that what you experience is almost entirely based on perceptions and assumptions made by the brain. He says, “[the brain] computes on a need-to-know basis” (Eagleman 28). Eagleman suggests that the brain runs on assumptions because of how we assume that our peripheral vision is better than it actually is. He gives many examples of visual illusions in order to lead into his idea that the brain does a lot of behind the scenes work. These visual illusions and tricks were, at least for me, baffling because they demonstrate the inner workings of the brain that we may take for granted. Eagleman does a great job by luring the reader into the book with these interesting phenomena. The flow from chapter to chapter was seamless. At the end of each idea was a statement connecting it to the next, which goes with one of his central ideas that the brain has both internal and external connections that are made.
Throughout the book, he emphasizes that our actions are a combination of our environment and our chemical make-up, or nature and nurture. Eagleman tells the reader that the mind is able to be changed, demonstrating a fundamental concept of neuroscience. I think it is crucial that people understand the brain as an ever-changing, adapting part of the human body. He brings up a number of studies that show how the brain can become more efficient to complete tasks faster and easier (73). He is constantly giving the reader lessons that involve the plasticity of the brain. It is important to take what he says about the brain and apply it to how we look at other aspects of life, and not only sciences, but to society and government as well.
Eagleman goes into moral dilemmas that involve crime and punishment. He leads into this controversial topic by explaining Freud’s idea of the unconscious mind. Eagleman claims that our minds have their own hardware that is built into it so we have little choice in what we like, how we act, or even who we love. This idea of his is hard to read, especially if the reader has a significant other, but he does not discredit the power of love, he only offers an explanation of it.
One example that he gives is how people with a certain type of gene tend to exhibit more criminal behaviors (Eagleman 158). An idea that I agree with is that he proposes the criminal punishment system should change because many criminals have neurological tendencies to do illegal acts. He says that punishment should be more geared towards a way to rehabilitate the criminals with such predispositions instead of punishing them. This is because the punishment does not do as much good as an active rehabilitation. He is sensitive to those who need psychological help and his ideas of reform in the criminal punishment system are revolutionary. People should read this book to better understand the human condition.
In the end of his book, Eagleman approaches his main idea: that who we are essentially is dependent on our brain. He brings up the phenomenon of Phineas Gage, a railroad worker who had an accident that left him without part of his frontal lobe (201). This is an appropriate story to support his assertion because after Gage’s accident, his personality was completely changed. Even though the story was gruesome to think about, I believe that the previous examples slowly built up the reader’s tolerance to real-life situations. Therefore, it was appropriate for Eagleman to include this anecdote.
Some readers that are immigrants may find some of his findings disturbing because he suggests that people who feel like they do not fit in are more likely to develop schizophrenia (211). He probably could have been more sensitive about this subject because people with these feelings of being an unwelcome outcast may just be thrown into more doubt and fear. There are other examples that may give other groups of people a sense of fear because of a certain “predisposition” that they have. People tend to be sensitive to their personal shortcomings, and the evidence proposed in this book does not give confidence to those people who are insecure. However, Eagleman is merely giving facts and his goal is not to make people insecure, but to inform and make people think. This is why the book is successful.
In conclusion, David Eagleman demonstrates the mysteries of the brain by using many examples that people can relate to. He challenges popular ways of thought by using a scientific and logical approach that is supported by evidence of countless studies and experiences that he presents. His main goal was to get the common reader to think more critically about the different causes of actions and thoughts that happen inside the brain. Another goal that he accomplished was to get the reader to look at humans as a societal group and realize that society changes. He taught me that things should be questioned and to not rule out an explanation until you can fully explain it yourself. This is a life lesson, not just one of the neuroscience field, and this is why I rate this book five out of five stars.
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Top reviews from other countries
Matteo5.0 out of 5 stars InterestingReviewed in Italy on January 26, 2016Verified PurchaseIt explain in a very simple and linear way how our brain works, and suggest interesting idea of ‘free will’ and ‘crime’
A good book which makes you think, even if it left some question open.
Report- KOLBUY5.0 out of 5 stars Very informativeReviewed in India on September 8, 2020Verified PurchaseLanguage is simple for a layman to follow and enjoy. Few technical terms are used which are amply explained for the benefit of the readers. Came to know and understand numerous aspects about the brain which are missing from most other books in this genre.
Report - Luan Vieira5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible language.Reviewed in Brazil on February 21, 2023Verified PurchaseAccessible language for a very complex and rich subject, def hit the top 3 books that I read during the Pandemic, exactly why I bought a hard copy.
Report - Sami5.0 out of 5 stars BrilliantReviewed in France on May 31, 2021Verified PurchaseThis book is a must to understand how our brains function at a neurocircuitery level. And as the author mentionned at the end : looking at the pieces of a machine doesn’t mean that we understand it fully. There is a lot more to learn and understand.
Report - Amazon Customer5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book ever!!Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2025Verified PurchaseAmazing book, great thoughts! is my everyday book!
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