When people ask me why I started the Ness Labs newsletter, I always admit that it was initially for selfish reasons. As a neuroscience student at the time, I had discovered something called the generation effect: a psychological phenomenon showing that when you create your own version of something, you both understand it and remember … Read More
We often talk about “trusting our gut.” But the gut feelings people refer to can actually stem from two very different sources: instinct and intuition. Because they feel so similar (fast, automatic, sometimes emotional) we tend to treat them the same, which can lead to poor decision-making in many situations. Instinct is evolutionary and biological, … Read More
When being able to do everything prevents you from achieving anything This morning, I sat in front of my laptop and asked myself a simple question: what should I work on today? Looking at my projects in progress, I have three literature reviews I find interesting, an app idea that could be useful for the … Read More
I still remember an assignment where our history teacher asked us to create an ‘artifact’ about a historical figure of our choice. I chose Jesus and spent hours at the school library, asking the librarian for every book that mentioned him, and made a mini book with hand-drawn illustrations. I was completely absorbed in the … Read More
Most people think multiculturalism means passport stamps and foreign languages. But there’s a more powerful kind happening right in your head: cognitive multiculturalism: the mental flexibility and fluency you develop from experiencing different worlds.
How does ChatGPT affect memory, brain activity, and critical thinking? A neuroscientist breaks down the science behind the MIT study.
When I was a kid, I used to think I was doing much better at tests when using a particular pencil my sister had gifted me. So I would make sure to use this pen for every test. I have a friend who thinks that city people are generally rude. So when he meets a … Read More
Used well, thinking out loud can sharpen how we work and how we think. By speaking and using our voice, knowledge workers can improve clarity, creativity, and decision-making.
At his school in ancient Athens, Aristotle encouraged everyone to walk through the gardens while discussing ideas, rather than sitting quietly for lectures. Teachers and students would explore questions, challenge each other’s thinking, and build on each other’s insights. This tradition of walking and wondering together became so successful that it continued for centuries, influencing … Read More
From product launches to project management, I’m obsessed with checklists. And I’m not the only one. Systemic complexity means that we cannot rely on our memory alone to know what to do and when to know it. Checklists are a powerful tool allowing us to unload some of the cognitive stress of living our lives … Read More