Nope, it is “certain” (sensory) information that trigger fight-or-flight instinctual response (followed by the full suit of passions) more than other kinds of (sensory) information. Eg: the sight of a snake, or hearing someone insulting your work/belief. .. because these certain information reach the amygdala faster than it can reach the neo-cortex.

SWAROOP: And when we mean “more”, do we mean more information about the environment/expectations or the task itself?

As LeDoux is primarily talking about sensory information, then it refers to the sensory data coming from the environment (although one may also consider internal thought/imaginations triggering the amygdala).

The central point of LeDoux’s study quoted above is that “The input stream to the amygdala is quicker – 12 milliseconds as opposed to 25 milliseconds to the neo-cortex” .. which implies that the amygdala receives information (even if less) much quicker than the neo-cortex (even if it would receive more). Thus, the amygdala pumps instinctual responses (of fear, aggression, nurture and desire) much earlier than the neo-cortex could form sensible judgement about the sensory data.

This is why we often find it unable to ‘control’ our emotional reactions. This is why this world is full of war, murder, rape, torture, domestic violence, corruption, despair and suicide. This is why morality never fully works. This is why something radical must happen in the brain (paddling around the surface is not enough) for there to be peace and harmony on planet Earth.

SWAROOP: Yes, “Selfish Gene” has been on the to-read list for a long time :-/

This book is surprisingly very readable too. I can say this is the best book I’ve ever read.

@Kevin Yep!

@Harishankaran Thanks

@srid Very interesting insight… so is “less” information more prone to “fight or flight” responses as opposed to “more” information? And when we mean “more”, do we mean more information about the environment/expectations or the task itself? … Yes, “Selfish Gene” has been on the to-read list for a long time :-/

@Bharath Yes, but practicality overrides that. For example, once people become busy and you don’t have in-person meetups, you’ll drift apart no matter whether you like it or not, no matter how well-intentioned.

@Girish Thanks

Bharath

Another way to look at it is the fact that the neo-cortex evolved much later in the evolutionary scale … prior to which there was only the primitive brain (amygdala) that had had to make shortcut decisions (fight or flight, for instance) in order to preserve replicating genetic information across generations. Also relevant is this study on fear by Mr. Joseph LeDoux:

“”"The most significant of LeDoux’ experimentation with regard to fear is that the sensory input to the brain is split at the thalamus into two streams – one to the amygdala and one to the neo-cortex. The input stream to the amygdala is quicker – 12 milliseconds as opposed to 25 milliseconds to the neo-cortex. Less information goes to the amygdala quicker – it operates as a quick scan to check for danger.”"”

As, today, feelings come prior to thoughts, instinctual passions/beliefs have greater control over humans than rational thoughts. An extreme example being stampedes, while normal everyday examples include the various feelings/emotions/beliefs.

I suggest reading ‘The Selfish Gene’.

But the pursuit thing means more than it’s made out to be. The Chase is often so much more fun than the actual take down … keeps you going, the fires burnin’ and you feel ALIVE!