Our brains are wired to notice things that are different or unusual from "summary" of Weird by Olga Khazan
Our brains are wired to notice things that are different or unusual. This is why we are naturally drawn to the peculiar and the out-of-the-ordinary. When something deviates from the norm, our brains perk up and take notice, signaling to us that there might be something important or significant about the unusual object or event in question. This innate tendency to pay attention to the weird and the strange has its roots in our evolutionary past. Back when our ancestors were roaming the savannas, being attuned to anything out of the ordinary could mean the difference between life and death. A rustle in the bushes that sounded slightly different from the usual could signal the presence of a predator, prompting our ancestors to take evasive action. Over time, this sensitivity to the unusual became hardwired into our brains, ensuring that we would always be on high alert for potential threats or opportunities. In today's world, this predisposition to notice the weird and the different manifests itself in various ways. From viral videos of bizarre phenomena to the popularity of unconventional art and entertainment, we are constantly bombarded with stimuli that cater to our innate fascination with the unusual. Advertisers and marketers capitalize on this quirk of human nature, using novelty and eccentricity to grab our attention and make their products stand out in a crowded marketplace. Despite our modern surroundings and technological advancements, our brains still operate on the same basic principles that guided our ancestors thousands of years ago. We may no longer need to scan the horizon for signs of danger, but our brains continue to seek out the strange and the unexpected, ever on the lookout for the next intriguing discovery. This enduring trait reflects the deep-seated nature of our cognitive processes and reminds us that, at our core, we are still creatures attuned to the weird and the wonderful.
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