In Praise of Walking audiobook cover - The new science of how we walk and why it’s good for us

In Praise of Walking

The new science of how we walk and why it’s good for us

Shane O'Mara

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Categories:
ScienceHealth & Nutrition

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In Praise of Walking
Evolution & Mechanics+
Navigation & The Inner GPS+
Health & Well-being+
Creativity & Problem Solving+
Social Dynamics+
Walkable Cities+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, what important lesson about movement does the sea squirt teach us?
  • A. Movement is a simple mechanical process that requires minimal cognitive effort.
  • B. Navigating underwater environments requires more genetic complexity than walking on land.
  • C. The ability to move around is fundamentally tied to the necessity and use of a brain.
  • D. Humans evolved from sea-dwelling creatures that relied exclusively on central pattern generators.
Question 2 of 7
What does the text suggest about the human method of walking upright on two legs?
  • A. It is highly efficient for carrying items over long distances, though it is a remarkably complex task to master.
  • B. It is less energy-efficient than walking on all fours, but it allowed early humans to see over tall grass.
  • C. It is a relatively simple motor function that roboticists have easily replicated in recent years.
  • D. It is entirely controlled by the brain's inertial guidance system, without any involvement from the spinal cord.
Question 3 of 7
How does the human brain primarily determine our location and help us navigate our surroundings?
  • A. It relies entirely on visual cues to construct a mental map of our environment.
  • B. It utilizes specialized 'place cells' in the hippocampus that activate when we are in specific locations.
  • C. It depends on the spinal cord's central pattern generators to calculate distance and direction.
  • D. It switches into its 'default mode' to intuitively guess the right direction based on past memories.
Question 4 of 7
According to the author, what is a notable economic benefit of a walkable city?
  • A. It drastically reduces a city's infrastructure maintenance costs by eliminating the need for traffic lights.
  • B. It encourages people to spend more money on public transportation rather than private vehicles.
  • C. It leads to higher economic productivity, as there is a negative correlation between time spent in a car and productivity.
  • D. It forces retail businesses to consolidate into large shopping malls, increasing overall sales volume.
Question 5 of 7
What does scientific evidence suggest happens to your personality when you do not move around enough?
  • A. You experience an increase in neuroticism and a decrease in conscientiousness.
  • B. Your personality remains largely unchanged, though your cognitive processing speed slows down.
  • C. You experience lower levels of extraversion, openness, and agreeableness.
  • D. You become more introverted but experience a temporary spike in creative thinking.
Question 6 of 7
Why is walking particularly effective at boosting creative problem-solving?
  • A. It forces the brain to shut down its 'default mode,' eliminating distracting thoughts.
  • B. It triggers the simultaneous occurrence of the brain's 'active mode' and 'default mode.'
  • C. It fully diverts the brain's energy away from the hippocampus to the frontal lobe.
  • D. It allows the brain to focus entirely on rhythmic bodily movements rather than abstract concepts.
Question 7 of 7
Which of the following highlights the fundamentally social nature of walking, according to the text?
  • A. Walkers in a group tend to naturally synchronize their steps, requiring complex brain processing to predict others' movements.
  • B. People who walk frequently are generally more likely to engage in highly competitive team sports.
  • C. Walking alone through a city isolates individuals from the crowd, allowing for deep, independent reflection.
  • D. Children learn to walk primarily by imitating the exact stride length and pace of their peers.

In Praise of Walking — Full Chapter Overview

In Praise of Walking Summary & Overview

In Praise of Walking (2019) examines the science behind one of the basic skills that defines us as human beings. By walking more, you can boost your physical and mental health – and become more creative and social.

Who Should Listen to In Praise of Walking?

  • Science fans keen to learn about the body and the mind
  • Walking enthusiasts
  • People looking for a reason to do more exercise

About the Author: Shane O'Mara

Neuroscientist Shane O’Mara is Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin. He is the Principal Investigator at the college’s Institute of Neuroscience and is also a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator. His previous books are Why Torture Doesn’t Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation and A Brain for Business – A Brain for Life.

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