The Rise and Fall of the Human Mind

Why Are We the Way We Are, and Where Are We Going?

Martin Jan Stransky, M.D. a neuroscientist and professor at Yale University, presents a sweeping, provocative, and highly accessible journey through the past, present, and uncertain future of our greatest organ, the human brain.
From the Big Bang to artificial intelligence, from tribal relationships to digital addiction, Dr. Stransky draws on the latest advances in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, genetics, psychology, and even quantum theory to explain the astonishing rise of the human mind-and the forces that now threaten to undermine it.
In this captivating book, you'll discover:
• the astonishing 14-billion-year journey from atoms to neurons;
• how our brains evolved to prioritize survival, emotion, and reward;
• why we are irrational thinkers with hidden biases-and how we make decisions;
• how memory is created, distorted, and manipulated;
• the influence of language, culture, and group identity on cognitive abilities;
• how technology is reshaping attention, parenting, education, and individuality;
• the growing neurological and social risks of social media, artificial intelligence, and digitized living.
Dr. Stransky doesn’t just explain how the mind works-he dares to ask whether it’s already starting to break down. With clarity, wit, and insistence, the book invites readers to look at themselves-and our civilization-in a radically new light. This must-read for anyone interested in the human condition combines hard science with philosophical insights to deliver a message that is both deeply disturbing and hopeful.