An AI legend's mind-bending secret to how your brain actually works.
Ever feel like a million different people live inside your head? The 'study hard' you vs. the 'binge-watch' you? Turns out, you're not wrong.
This is Marvin Minsky, a founding father of Artificial Intelligence. Decades ago, he dropped a theory about our minds that's more relevant than ever.
His big idea: Your mind isn't one single 'thing'. It's a massive, chaotic society of tiny, simple workers he called 'Agents'.
Think of an Agent as a single-tasking expert. One Agent only sees vertical lines. Another only recognizes the color red. A third only knows how to grip. Individually, they're simple.
No single Agent is 'intelligent' or 'conscious'. But when millions of them team up and interact... they create YOU.
'Pointy-Ear' Agent + 'Whisker' Agent + 'Soft-Fur' Agent + 'Meow' Agent all fire at once. Their combined signal creates the thought: 'Cat'.
Your mind is a constant negotiation. The 'Thirsty' agency fights the 'Finish-Work' agency. The 'Sleepy' agency battles the 'One-More-Episode' agency.
Spoiler: There isn't one. There's no single 'You' in charge. No CEO in your head's boardroom. Just a decentralized society.
A decision is simply the 'agency' that shouts the loudest and recruits the most support from other agents at that moment. The winning coalition takes action.
The feeling of being a single, unified 'self' is a useful story your brain tells itself to make sense of the chaos. It’s the ultimate PR campaign.
Memories aren't recordings. They are reconstructed every time you recall them. Different agents are activated to piece the story back together, which is why memories change over time.
You're not lazy. Your 'Rest' and 'Avoid-Difficulty' agents are just running a very successful campaign. To get things done, you need to empower your 'Do-It-Now' agents.
Break down big tasks. Want to study? Activate the 'Open-Book' agent first. Then 'Read-One-Page'. Small wins build momentum and recruit more agents to the cause.
Creativity isn't magic. It’s just your agents making new, unexpected connections. Your 'Shower-Thoughts' agency connecting with your 'Work-Problem' agency.
Feeling anxious? It’s not your entire being. It’s a powerful 'Anxiety' agency that has temporarily taken over the microphone. Acknowledge it, but know it doesn't have to be the whole show.
Minsky's idea is the blueprint for modern AI. We are building societies of artificial agents. Understanding our own inner society is key to building a better future with them.
You are not a single consciousness. You are a civilization. A bustling, brilliant, chaotic society contained within your skull. You are multitudes.
What will your society of mind choose to create today?