How is it, then, that modern authors as educated as Seth Godin and Rick Hanson (among others) are writing entire essays that present âthe lizard brainâ as well-documented scientific fact? How does Godin keep a straight face onstage as he tells us that âthe lizard is a physical part of your brainâ and that âthe reason we call wild animals âwildâ is because they have lizard brainsâ?
Itâs because the idea makes a weird kind of intuitive sense. Weâre bundles of instincts and inhibitions and desires that donât fit neatly together. Itâd be comforting, in a way, if we could pin those conflicts on little lizard brains - just name those ancient demons and drive âem out, like we did in simpler times.
Whether we like it or not, though, the lizard is simply us. Every habit and hangup, every dread and desire in our minds is dependent on neural pathways that were once laid down by our personal experiences. Like every other organism on earth, we carry the history of a long, successful lineage in our genetic and biological makeup. The question of what to do with those resources, though, isnât predetermined by the past. Itâs up to you.