in our brains we have two competing parts.

When both parts work together, we can overcome incredible challenges.
But when one takes over the other, we lose what makes us human.

THE AMYGDALA REACTS IN 20 MILLISECONDS

It is built to ask one question — is this a threat? — and to answer it before you even know you're asking. 

Since the beginning of time, we've used our amygdala to protect ourselves from danger. 

But be careful! It can't recognize anything besides threat and safety. Our primitive brains experience a very skewed reality. 

THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX TAKES ITS TIME

It's built to ponder everything that comes next. Was that really a threat? How do we solve this issue? And as you know, critical thinking takes a long time. 

Your prefrontal cortex is what allows you to reason, feel empathy, process complexity, and problem solve.

Our rational brains do the majority of our thinking, which means it works slowly, and methodically. 

FEAR SHUTS your JUDGMENT DOWN

In moments of stress, your amygdala will always be your first and loudest reaction. 

But with little mental flexibility, and a very low threshold for danger, it cannot be trusted. 

When the amygdala is active, it rejects anything that doesn't support its 'threat narrative' -- making the prefrontal cortex's job much harder.

REPEAT IT ENOUGH AND HATRED FEELS LIKE SAFETY

Every time our amygdala wins, it gets rewarded, and reinforced. When we are so used to favoring our primitive brains, our rational brains forget how to do their part. 

Letting the amygdala win will always be faster and easier -- but it will never allow you to grow, learn something new, or connect with another human. 

our Rational Brains need practice

Our primitive brains get stronger every time we listen to them, but our rational brains can do the very same thing. 

It won't be fast, it won't be easy, and it will absolutely not be comfortable, but it is the first step to building unified communities.