Interestingness: The Reptilian and Limbic Minds

Lizards have a brain, which we can refer to as the reptilian brain. Rats have the same exact brain, except with more crap on top of it, we can refer to this as the Limbic brain. Humans, have the same brain as rats, with even more crap on top of it, the Neocortex.

• The Reptilian: SURVIVAL! This section of the brain is all about survival: Food, shelter, and fight or flight.
  
• The Limbic: FEELINGS! This section is all about emotion. Feelings of love, anger, passion.
  
• The Neocortex: LOGIC! The boring, rational, 'thinking' part of your brain.
  

The brains are listed strongest to weakest. When more than one brain is 'talking' humans tend to listen to the stronger one. When you feel highly passionate about something, it will trump your better judgement. If you are starving, your not going to be feeling very adoring.

One very important note is that humans will rationalize everything, and even if they are listening to the reptilian or limbic brains, they will rationalize and give a logical reason for their behaviors.

20Something TakeAway:

Appeal to people emotions whenever possible. Be passionate and enthusiastic. It appeals to the stronger limbic brain instead of the weaker neocortex.

Use this interestingness:

When you are giving feedback to others. (Don't just tell me it's important, make me FEEL it's important.)

Source: Made to Stick