Deviate audiobook cover - The Science of Seeing Differently

Deviate

The Science of Seeing Differently

Beau Lotto

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Categories:
CreativityPsychology

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Deviate
The Nature of Perception+
The Power of Context+
Brain Plasticity+
Overcoming Assumptions+
Embracing Uncertainty+
Ecology of Innovation+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
Why did the human brain evolve to interpret reality inaccurately in certain situations?
  • A. To process the overwhelming amount of modern digital information.
  • B. To prioritize survival and focus on important sensations like pain or fear.
  • C. Because the human eye is structurally flawed compared to other mammals.
  • D. To help us appreciate the aesthetic beauty of our surroundings.
Question 2 of 10
According to the book, what is required for raw sensory input (like photons or vibrations) to have any value to humans?
  • A. It must be recorded and amplified by a technological device.
  • B. It must be divided and processed by the brain into meaningful interpretations.
  • C. It must be experienced in a completely isolated environment.
  • D. It must bypass the conscious mind and enter the subconscious directly.
Question 3 of 10
What did the study involving rats in dynamic versus dull cages demonstrate about the brain?
  • A. Rats in dull cages developed a heightened sense of smell to compensate for the lack of visual stimuli.
  • B. Rats in dynamic environments became more aggressive toward each other.
  • C. Interacting with a stimulating environment leads to denser neural connections and better-developed brains.
  • D. Brain structure remains static regardless of environmental factors, but behavioral habits change.
Question 4 of 10
Why did the colorful yarns in Louis XVIII's royal tapestry factory appear dull when customers took them home?
  • A. The factory was using cheap, low-quality dyes that degraded quickly in sunlight.
  • B. The customers lacked the artistic training necessary to appreciate the subtle hues.
  • C. The colors only appeared vivid in the showroom due to the contrast of being woven together with other colors.
  • D. The showroom used specialized lighting that artificially enhanced the visual spectrum of the threads.
Question 5 of 10
Why do native Japanese speakers initially have difficulty distinguishing between English 'R' and 'L' sounds?
  • A. Their brains filter out high-frequency acoustic vibrations common in the English language.
  • B. Their brains learned that distinguishing these sounds was not meaningful in their native linguistic context.
  • C. The physical structure of the inner ear develops differently based on geographic location.
  • D. They consciously choose to rely on visual cues rather than auditory information when learning.
Question 6 of 10
How does the brain's reliance on past experiences and assumptions affect our daily thinking?
  • A. It allows us to approach reality with a completely fresh mind every single day.
  • B. It completely prevents us from ever learning new physical skills.
  • C. It helps us recognize familiar situations quickly but hinders our ability to pursue novel thought patterns.
  • D. It forces us to consciously analyze every new stimulus we encounter, causing mental fatigue.
Question 7 of 10
What is the primary lesson demonstrated by the 'Dunker’s Candle' brainteaser?
  • A. Creativity requires specialized tools and extensive planning.
  • B. True innovation is usually the result of a sudden, unexplainable stroke of genius.
  • C. Casting aside established assumptions—like the primary function of a box of tacks—opens up new solutions.
  • D. Complex problems can only be solved by breaking them down into small, mathematical equations.
Question 8 of 10
According to the text, why do humans have a natural, instinctual aversion to uncertainty?
  • A. Modern society conditions us to expect immediate answers through technology.
  • B. Uncertainty triggers an overproduction of dopamine, which the brain tries to avoid.
  • C. Early human ancestors who avoided the unknown and played it safe were more likely to survive and pass on their genes.
  • D. The human brain lacks the neural pathways required to process ambiguous visual information.
Question 9 of 10
What is a common misunderstanding people have about how innovation works, according to the book?
  • A. They think innovation requires a massive budget and a large team of scientists.
  • B. They believe new ideas are best generated when there is a specific, predetermined goal in mind.
  • C. They assume that innovation only happens when people are under extreme stress or pressure.
  • D. They believe that innovation is a purely random process that cannot be encouraged or managed.
Question 10 of 10
What practical technique does the author suggest for embracing uncertainty in daily life?
  • A. Pausing between your experience of an event and your reaction to it.
  • B. Memorizing a set of logical fallacies to easily identify them in others.
  • C. Completely ignoring your past experiences when making important decisions.
  • D. Forcing yourself to take extreme physical risks to build a tolerance to fear.

Deviate — Full Chapter Overview

Deviate Summary & Overview

Deviate (2017) is a primer on the sometimes-tricky neuroscience behind human perception. It details all the illusions, distortions, and shortcuts our brains take when making sense of the world around us. 

Who Should Listen to Deviate?

  • Curious minds interested in the science of human perception
  • Designers seeking novel approaches to problems
  • Anyone who wants to see the world from a new perspective

About the Author: Beau Lotto

Beau Lotto is a professor of neuroscience at the University of London and founder of Lab of Misfits, a neuro-design studio. He has presented his research on cognitive functioning on the BBC, in National Geographic, and in multiple TED Talks.

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