The Gray Area with Sean Illing Will Storr on why you are not yourself
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Dec 6, 2018 
Will Storr, author of the book Selfie, explores the cultural, evolutionary, and psychological construction of the self. Topics discussed include the power of storytelling in shaping our worldview, the link between personality traits and political beliefs, the debate on parenting and personality, the impact of neoliberalism on identity, the toxicity of social media, and book recommendations.
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Culturally Constructed Reality
- Reality is a construction of the brain, influenced by culture, affecting what we notice and how our brains structure perception.
- Cultural differences mediate eye movements (saccades), influencing context perception and moral judgments.
The Left Brain Interpreter
- Studies on split-brain patients reveal the left brain "interpreter" confabulates reasons for actions hidden from it.
- This suggests our sense of control and decision-making might be a narrative created after the fact, not a conscious process.
The Illusion of a Singular Self
- The self is not singular but a collection of influences like hunger, desires, and cultural expectations.
- Recognizing our lack of control over our minds can be freeing, as our will is just one of many forces shaping our actions.