Everything that is expressed and recorded externally, such as cell phones, computers, memos, books, and drawings, is an extension of the brain. Our brains aren’t just inside our bodies. This concept is important because extending the ego greatly influences how we see the world. We pay close attention to topics that involve us personally. Self-relevance is a key factor that drives our lives. Personal relationships and possessions get a lot of focus, while other areas seem less important. This is due to a feature of the human brain called ‘selective cognition.’ As civilization advanced, humans delegated parts of the brain’s functions to machines. It was inevitable to make good use of these tools. We should take an interest in the Homo Faber. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Paradoxically, one of the reasons for Rome’s demise was that it kept winning wars. Victories expanded the empire’s territory, and the risks increased proportionally. Men, primarily middle-class men, volunteered as soldiers; the larger the territory, the longer the wars lasted, and the longer it took for them to return home. The women who remained at home were forced to borrow labor and became indebted to the nobility. Eventually, the women were sold into slavery, and by the time the men returned, their families had disintegrated. People don’t betray because they’re evil, but because it increases their risk. If the territory you’re in grows, you might reconsider your loyalties to the organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”