Our Three Ways of Behaving

The first way, had us take a quick look around us - and then sent signals directly to our muscles - run like hell, relax, or go on the attack! It had all bases covered - including those that lead to copulation. Not much thinking was needed in any case. And it was fast - in only milliseconds! All animal species had these capabilities. The tiny flying insects common in the tropics - can fly, walk, see, smell, taste - and reproduce, in vast numbers.

Then we developed emotions, that made more complicated decisions possible, but took more time (measured in seconds) because all of the body had to be involved. Only a few animal species have this capability - mammals, the octopus, and our dogs and cats - that understand us very well.

Then we developed conscious thought, capable of amazing feats - such as performing music - but also capable of insanity, of many kinds. When it worked right (as it usually did) - it made us very smart, able to learn from others, and from past experience. This made us the dominant species on the earth.

But how much longer this will last, is not certain. Keeping all three capabilities going at the same time - is a hard job.