Neuro-proof: experiences change you

This morning, I was reminded of this video interview with Beau Lotto from the Lab of Misfits in New York.

I met Beau at the Future of Storytelling a few years ago, and I was immediately intrigued by some of the work his team is doing around human perception.

In a part of their research, they are taking a scientific angle to the same connection between experiences and transformation that I’m currently exploring. I.e. we all know that experiences shape us as an individual, but while most of these experiences simply happen to us, can you deliberately design them? If yes, how?

This video contains some of the research results of a project the Lab of Misfits did with Cirque du Soleil around the concept of ‘awe’. In summary it finds that people who experience ‘awe’:

• Start displaying more pro-social behaviour. They care more about other people;
• See a small change in identity. They feel like they become people who can experience awe;
• Acquire a higher tolerance to risk;
• See a decreased need for cognitive closure. I.e. they become less afraid of uncertainty;
• Feel more connected to the world. There is a lower sense of ego;
• Have a lower need for attentional control;
• Are more in tune with the world;
• Become more willing to step forward into uncertainty with emotional strength.

In other words, ‘simply’ by awing someone, you already start creating a small transformation in the person who is being awed. The next question is now of course whether this effect is temporary (i.e. only directly after the event) or whether it can endure (i.e. by occasionally reenforcing the memory of awe).

Either way, it’s a fascinating finding.