By Robert Sapolsky
I just finished Determined. I had no choice, lol. It started to drag a bit.
I was already receptive to the premise, so it spent more time than I needed detailing all of the ways outside factors shape our brains and their decisions. I wanted more after that.
I do what I do because of my genes/childhood/environment/blood sugar/hormone levels… and?
There was a section opposing retribution and punishment as part of our societal governance. It’s not fair to punish folks for doing bad things if they had no control over the circumstances that made them do bad things. Quarantine to prevent harm, yes. Punishment no. Norway is already operating in a model closer to this with success.
The flip side was mentioned but not discussed with as many words: nobody deserves special rewards if their achievements weren’t their choice either. Inflating your own value because you have a brain that did x,y,z is like being proud of being tall.
There was brief mention of potential value in embracing the illusion of free will in order to get through life and enjoy a feeling of agency.
I hoped for a more profound insight before ending the book, but I only took a reminder to have more empathy for challenging people that I encounter. Even if you leave wiggle room for free will, it is clear that there is, at the very least, significant shaping of people that happens beyond their control.
If you don’t want to read Determined yourself, you could reflect on the phrase often repeated by comedian Pete Holmes: “If I were you, I’d be you.”