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The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 755 ratings

A New York Times Editors' Choice
A
Washington Post Best Nonfiction Book of 2021
A
New York Times Notable Book

A bold new book reveals how we can tap the intelligence that exists beyond our brains—in our bodies, our surroundings, and our relationships


Use your head.
 
That’s what we tell ourselves when facing a tricky problem or a difficult project. But a growing body of research indicates that we’ve got it exactly backwards. What we need to do, says acclaimed science writer Annie Murphy Paul, is think 
outside the brain. A host of “extra-neural” resources—the feelings and movements of our bodies, the physical spaces in which we learn and work, and the minds of those around us— can help us focus more intently, comprehend more deeply, and create more imaginatively.
 
The Extended Mind outlines the research behind this exciting new vision of human ability, exploring the findings of neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, psychologists, and examining the practices of educators, managers, and leaders who are already reaping the benefits of thinking outside the brain. She excavates the untold history of how artists, scientists, and authors—from Jackson Pollock to Jonas Salk to Robert Caro—have used mental extensions to solve problems, make discoveries, and create new works. In the tradition of Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind or Daniel Goleman’s Emotional IntelligenceThe Extended Mind offers a dramatic new view of how our minds work, full of practical advice on how we can all think better.

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From the Publisher

this book is the real deal. this is stuff you can use.

the extended mind uses stories and science to show us how it's done.

the minute I finished, I started making changes in my life.

The extended mind

Science writer Annie Murphy Paul on THE EXTENDED MIND: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain

Over many years of elementary school, high school, and even college and graduate school, we’re never explicitly taught to think outside the brain; we’re not shown how to employ our bodies and spaces and relationships in the service of intelligent thought. Yet this instruction is available if we know where to look; our teachers are the artists and scientists and authors who have figured out these methods for themselves, and the researchers who are, at last, making these methods the object of study.

Our culture insists that the brain is the sole locus of thinking, a cordoned-off space where cognition happens, much like the workings of my laptop are sealed inside its aluminum case. This book argues otherwise: it holds that the mind is something more like the nest-building bird I spotted on my walk, plucking a bit of string here, a twig there, constructing a whole out of available parts.

For humans these parts include, most notably, the feelings and movements of our bodies; the physical spaces in which we learn and work; and the other minds with which we interact—our classmates, colleagues, teachers, supervisors, friends.

The Extended Mind suggests that the things and the space around us have a profound effect on how we think, feel, and develop. There are profound cultural implications and socioeconomic implications that are essential for us to understand. Here are a few of the lessons we all can learn to take better advantage of the world outside our brains to improve the way we think and help our brains reach their full potential. Some lessons from The Extended Mind:

  • Information Overload: The world is full of too much information for our conscious minds to register. But our non-conscious minds are far more capacious, and they are continually collecting data points and identifying patterns in the world around us. It’s the internal sensations of the body—our “gut feelings”—that alert us to these patterns, and our sensitivity to these signals can be increased with simple exercises.
  • Moving Our Bodies: Working at a treadmill desk, taking a brisk walk during a coffee break, or even engaging in fidgeting or doodling helps keep our attention sharp and our ideas flowing. And extremely vigorous exercise can induce state of free-ranging creativity that scientists compare to a drug trip.
  • Use Your Hands: The gestures we make are not mere handwaving; when used strategically, they can improve our communication with others and even enhance our own thinking. People we’re talking to are more than 50 percent more likely to remember a point we make when a gesture accompanies it; students who incorporate gestures into their study habits remember almost 40 percent more of the material than students who don’t.
  • Better Together: Engaging in synchronous activity with others—walking or exercising together, even sharing a meal—leads us to behave more cooperatively and be more successful in pursuing shared goals. (The effect is heightened if the food is served family-style and if it’s very spicy.)
  • Take an “awe walk”: Spend time outdoors, allowing yourself to wonder at and be moved by nature’s majesty. Psychologists say that awe can act as a “reset button” for the human brain, shaking us loose from old patterns and opening us up to new possibilities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

​"An acclaimed science journalist demystifies how our most important thinking often happens outside our heads."—Adam Grant, author of Think Again and Originals, on LinkedIn as "The 12 New Leadership Books to Read This Summer"   “In The Extended Mind, author Annie Murphy Paul explains why the key to thinking better sometimes lies in using our brains less. By extending our minds through our bodies, physical surroundings, and relationships, we can work more productively and solve problems more creatively. The Extended Mind uses stories and science to show us how it’s done.”—Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better   "Fascinating, sure-footed and wide-ranging"The Wall Street Journal "In The Extended Mind, science writer Annie Murphy Paul shows us how we can 'think outside the brain'—that is, draw the stuff of the world into our trains of thought. We limit ourselves when we think only with our heads. Extending our minds opens up a host of new possibilities, allowing us to become more focused, more productive, more creative—in a word, smarter."Susan Cain, author of Quiet   "The Extended Mind argues that our creativity, our intelligence, and even our memories are embodied not just in the wet matter of our brains, but in the world all around us. This is a profoundly interesting book that invites us to radically change how we think about thinking."—Joshua Foer, author of Moonwalking with Einstein   “Packed with cutting-edge research, compelling real-world examples, and deep insight, The Extended Mind provides a revolutionary framework to help us understand how our brains work. It’s one of those rare books that I found so interesting that I couldn’t put it down, and the minute I finished, I started making changes in my life.”—Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project   "Just when I thought I was stuck with the brain I have, Annie Murphy Paul reveals that I can do better! Much better! This fascinating tour of the latest science reveals all the ways we can get smarter by changing our physical spaces, moving our hands and bodies and thinking together, with other humans. An inspiring guide to living fuller lives by getting outside our own heads."—Amanda Ripley, author of High Conflict and The Smartest Kids in the World   "Powerful, actionable, and whip-smart, this book is proof that when you rethink how thinking works, you open the door to a world of new possibilities. I guarantee that Annie Murphy Paul's concepts, case studies, and research-based tips will help you and your group connect, create, and perform in new ways."—Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code and The Culture Code   "When it comes to your identity, there is no clear line where your brain ends and your body, your environment, and your culture begin. In this tour de force, Annie Murphy Paul unmasks the larger story of who we are."—David Eagleman, Stanford University neuroscientist and author of Incognito and Livewired   "The very smartest people know how to draw upon the wisdom of their entire world, including their environment and also their whole body, not just their brain. The Extended Mind i —

About the Author

ANNIE MURPHY PAUL is an acclaimed science journalist who contributes to Scientific American, the New York Times,Time,Slate, and many other publications. Formerly senior editor at Psychology Today, Paul is a Future Tense Fellow at New America, as well as a senior adviser at the Yale University Center for Teaching and Learning.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07FKB3V5S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books (June 8, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 8, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 357 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 755 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
755 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful, with one noting its thorough research and how it enhances intellectual success. Moreover, they appreciate the writing quality and find it interesting, with one describing it as a fascinating look at human behavior. The book receives positive feedback for being timely and well-paced. However, several customers find it too long and monotonous.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

27 customers mention "Information quality"24 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides good information and is a guide to thinking better, with one customer noting its thorough research and abundance of supporting research.

"...This is a fantastic book and timely. I think all of us feel like we just can't cram anymore into our brains. There's good news! We don't have to...." Read more

"...a mind map or physically interacting with concepts enhances comprehension and memory. So does having to explain what you've learned to someone else...." Read more

"...I’m sure I will enjoy the book as a reader. But it’s much harder for me these days...." Read more

"...book in this genre that has anything new, interesting, and useful information to share. This book has all three! Really NEW information...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting it is unusually well-done.

"...The author makes an excellent point about our society being "braincentric" and offers a variety of meaningful ways to make learning an active..." Read more

"...Although no doubt, the author is an outstanding journalist, she is not a scientific researcher herself, and it shows...." Read more

"...a topic ends up diluting the message and making the book boring and hard to read...." Read more

"...Annie Murphy Paul is a great writer, but she is also a generous one who makes the reader relax and take note, while rethinking daily practices...." Read more

5 customers mention "Interest"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, with one customer describing it as a fascinating look at human behavior.

"...difficult to find a new book in this genre that has anything new, interesting, and useful information to share. This book has all three!..." Read more

"This book is provocative and breaks the mold— based on the most recent scientific research...." Read more

"...I just felt as if this book, while based on an interesting premise, leaves a lot to be desired on the support of her theory end...." Read more

"Fascinating look about human behavior!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Pace"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pace of the book, with one noting its well-paced presentation.

"...This is a fantastic book and timely. I think all of us feel like we just can't cram anymore into our brains. There's good news! We don't have to...." Read more

"...; and awe-inspiring in its unique blend of terrific content & well-paced presentation! Highly, highly recommend!!!" Read more

"So Timely and So Personally Helpful..." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book monotonous.

"...I listened to the sample. It was monotonous. And the monotone was, itself, flat, sure to put me to sleep, despite the content!..." Read more

"...The book doesn't flow easily. It lost me a few times and others seemed repetitive." Read more

"...ever done about a topic ends up diluting the message and making the book boring and hard to read...." Read more

"...Unfortunately, the writing was not engaging and I struggled to keep interested in the book." Read more

3 customers mention "Length"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book too long.

"...one-time (i.e., not necessarily empirical) studies, each chapter was incessantly long and felt stretched well beyond the scope of topic and evidence...." Read more

"...But while the principles are sound, the book is too long IMO. Start with the conclusion and skim the rest." Read more

"...However, it is too long and feels poorly edited...." Read more

A Wonderful Book - Understanding How We Learn and Think
5 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Book - Understanding How We Learn and Think
I have always been interested in learning. When I found out about this book I was intrigued by the subtitle "The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain." Once I started to read the book I was hooked. Ms. Paul wrote a compelling and captivating book that helped me better understand not only how I learn but how I can improve my learning via changes to my surroundings and learning with other experts/peers/groups. The book was also intriguing with the "snippets" of information woven into the text by Ms. Paul. For instance on page 222, Ms. Paul included the fact that people have visible whites of the eyes and that humans are the only primates so outfitted. This has led scientists to propose the "cooperative eye hypothesis" where our eyes evolved to support cooperative social interactions. I found this quite fascinating and added to the value of the book and my reading. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book for general managers, leaders, executives, and teachers. It is a very interesting read and will offer many ideas for ways to improve your learning style.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
    The author illuminates ideas that many of us already implicitly understand: that keeping a thought log or creating a mind map or physically interacting with concepts enhances comprehension and memory. So does having to explain what you've learned to someone else. She provides an abundance of supporting research and a nice set of principles as a conclusion. To really "get" these ideas, I drew them in a big illustration that shows a person writing a journal, taking a walk, talking to someone, gesturing, etc....Putting the ideas into practice is more fun than just reading a book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2021
    This book is a must read for educators and support staff looking for evidence based ways to optimize learning for students. The author makes an excellent point about our society being "braincentric" and offers a variety of meaningful ways to make learning an active experience rather than passive. With 73 pages of cited research, this book is packed with evidence to support that cognition is not only in the head. By the end of the book, I had many actionable strategies to use as a reading specialist to help my students extend their minds and learn through their bodies, their environment, and their relationships with others. This is a fantastic book and timely. I think all of us feel like we just can't cram anymore into our brains. There's good news! We don't have to. We can call on cognitive resources outside our brains to help us out! Thanks, Annie, for a well written and thoroughly researched book.
    14 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
    I am excited about this book. I knew I would buy it when a friend recommended it.

    But I was again disappointed to discover that this author, too, narrates her own book. I listened to the sample. It was monotonous. And the monotone was, itself, flat, sure to put me to sleep, despite the content!

    I wish that authors - and I am one - would think more dispassionately about this, and find skilled readers to bring their work to audiences. It’s not that all authors are bad narrators. It’s that many authors are apparently not good judges of their abilities as narrators.

    I am more a listener than a reader, especially as my eyes age, and I really really wanted to listen to this book, partly so that I could keep moving while I did!

    I’m sure I will enjoy the book as a reader. But it’s much harder for me these days. I look forward to more of AMP’s work, and hope she will find others to read it aloud.
    80 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021
    As a 70-year-old who has read well over a couple of thousand self-help and self-improvement books over the last 50 years, it has become more and more difficult to find a new book in this genre that has anything new, interesting, and useful information to share.
    This book has all three! Really NEW information. Really INTERESTING information. And really USEFUL information.
    I just finished reading it and have been taking copious notes.
    I am not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the few books I have ever read that will actually change my life - and has already changed the way I look at, and think about, life.
    I have no reservations at all about recommending this book to anyone who wants to see life in a new, exciting, and expanded way.
    76 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2022
    The title of the book (especially "Think") doesn't really match the content of the book. The first session of the book describes how to use the sense of the body to make a decision. This is not "thinking", it's a decision-making process. This session encourages people to make decision-based on the sense of body. I don't agree with that, this will never be accurate and there's no good way to reflect. The decision should be made based on fact, not emotion and sense. If it's life or death, we can use our human instinct (sense) to make decisions.
    The second session of the book talks about how the environment impacts our thinking. This session has the most meat in the book. But this information is not new, our productivity is impacted by the environment around us. The author just uses another way to describe this.
    The 3rd session of the book talks about thinking with the people. This is also not new at all. We all know that talking with others improves our understanding.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
    Captures a wide range of different research in one book with actionable steps to incorporate.

    Section on gestures while speaking had a lot to support both educational aspects and public speaking - with research to support it. This chapter was worth the price of the book - as a home schooling parent and to someone who presents regularly.

    Also, having read Thinking, Fast and Slow, this is more accessible and suggests that you can access that deeper thinking without running into limits on your focused attention.

    Highly recommended for your summer reading.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2021
    As an educator I find that this book hits at just the right time! So much of the innovative research, and suggestions for thinking in more productive ways, can be used by teachers at all levels. As schools re-open, we are faced with a unique opportunity to think about how teaching and learning truly works best. This book demonstrates how an expanded view of learning, and of the human brain, can help all students maximize and enjoy their efforts. The sections about learning spaces and learning in groups in particular are immediately relevant as we return to classrooms. Full of innovative ideas and approaches, this book truly allows me rethink my work as an educator.
    15 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021
    Informative and expansive overview of proven techniques that enhance intellectual success and effective decision-making. Each principle is supported by a great number of relevant proof points which certainly add credibility, but less would be more. Too many cited studies and examples unnecessarily belabor each point which makes the book feel redundant and padded.
    17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Juan Pablo Perez
    5.0 out of 5 stars ENLIGHTMENT
    Reviewed in France on January 31, 2022
    5 stars book - humans towards a new potential. . . . . . . . . . . .
  • Smektalla
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in Germany on September 18, 2024
    Can recommend 100%
  • Lawman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sono solo all'inizio ma sono entusiasta di tante conferme come lo stare in piedi quando digito e il giocare con la penna quando ascolto o mi concentro. More at the end!
    Reviewed in Italy on August 29, 2021
    Sono solo all'inizio ma sono entusiasta di tante conferme come lo stare in piedi quando digito e il giocare con la penna quando ascolto o mi concentro. More at the end!
    Report
  • Cliente de Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 14, 2022
    Muy interesante e iluminador. Pensarás diferente respecto a la manera en la que funciona nuestra mente. Lectura también muy recomendable para personal de recursos humanos.
  • Second to NUN
    3.0 out of 5 stars 脳以外の場所で
    Reviewed in Japan on January 21, 2023
    脳以外の場所で考えているという表現が正しいのかどうかは分かりませんが
    少なくともその他の部分 外部のものとの総合反応
    みたいなものがあるのは間違えないと思います
    あるいみ
    色即是空 空即是色
    ということかな

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