Monkeypatching Your Brain

by David Brady

In the presentation titled "Monkeypatching Your Brain" at the MountainWest RubyConf 2011, David Brady explores the concept of rewiring the brain through insights in neuroscience and psychology. He encourages attendees to actively engage in the session's discussion and suggests that everyone has the potential to reprogram their neural pathways, akin to how programmers might monkeypatch code.

Key Points Discussed:
- Brain Rewiring: Brady shares his personal experiences with 'monkeypatching' his brain, emphasizing that through experimentation, one can create new neural pathways and adapt their thinking processes. He provides examples of how optimizing brain function can facilitate creativity and problem-solving.
- Optimization Through Activity: Physical activity is highlighted as a vital tool to enhance executive function, suggesting that engaging in movement before brainstorming sessions can lead to heightened clarity and focus.
- Unit Testing Your Behavior: Brady likens programming concepts to analyzing one's habits, discussing how developing habits involves a deep understanding of when and how to apply them. He emphasizes the importance of reflecting on one's behavior to regain a sense of self.
- Managing Habits: He details the process of forming habits, describing how they can be beneficial but can also lead to negative outcomes if not monitored. The talk presents strategies for creating better habits, such as setting intentions and utilizing positive emotional anchors to reinforce desired behaviors.
- Real-World Applications: Brady encourages attendees to experiment with their routines and be mindful of their responses to different stimuli, promoting a proactive approach to personal development. He concludes by highlighting the importance of balancing instinctual reactions with conscious thought to tap into the brain's full potential.

In conclusion, attendees are reminded that by reflecting on their behaviors and utilizing the brain’s adaptability, they can create meaningful changes that improve their skills and overall quality of life. David Brady’s insights encourage a fun and engaging exploration of neuroscience principles applied to personal development.

00:00:12.240 Welcome to MountainWest RubyConf 2011. As we begin this session, I want to ask those of you who are attending a Ruby conference for the first time: why do I need Photoshop? I figured I would ask this question to someone who's been here before and see their perspective.

00:00:22.840 Last night, there was a bit of a situation with crashing speakers at dinner, followed by a discussion with the conference organizer. Unfortunately, I had to handle cancellation notices at ten-thirty, which is a downside to being his roommate.

00:00:42.380 I'd like to tell you a bit about myself. I'm not here to retell any rehab stories; rather, I hope to share some insights I gained from a talk I presented last year. So, who am I? I'm someone who has been playing with my brain for years, specifically focusing on its rewiring potential. About a year ago, I tweeted about how nothing is left of the native code in my brain—it's all subject to monkeypatching.

00:01:02.920 It's true; after enough experimentation, you end up with an entirely different brain, and that perspective can change how you view the world. In my experience, a lot of people tend to think depth-first, while I approach problems in a more parallel manner.

00:01:21.540 If I give my team two modules to work on, I can be quite chaotic. My teammates often want to dive into one module at a time and dissect it, whereas I’m interested in how all the parts interact with each other. I like to understand relationships and cooperation before getting into the specifics of what's inside the boxes.

00:01:42.420 Now, let’s dive right into the concept of monkeypatching your brain. Before we go further, let me clarify that I absolutely do not have formal qualifications to speak on this topic. I’m not a neuroscientist, but I’ve gathered ideas from some brilliant people in the field.

00:02:02.560 A few names worth noting include Daniel Levitin and his book "This Is Your Brain on Music," which explores how developing skills through practice can enhance those capabilities. There's also "Brain Rules" by John Medina, who holds a couple of advanced degrees in neuroscience. My goal is to adapt their ideas and interweave them to talk about meta-programming within your own brain.

00:02:22.160 I encourage you to participate actively in this discussion. Remember, like life can be like a sewer, what you put into it determines what you get out. This talk will be no different. We’ll explore three key concepts by imagining your brain in specific ways.

00:02:42.360 The first concept relates to optimization, which covers the neuroscience of your biological systems—your brain's neurons, axons, and the physical-chemical neural processes. There’s limited access to monkeypatching tools, but some specific methods can help us work more efficiently on a neurochemical level.

00:03:02.400 For example, when I pace around the room, it’s not out of nervous energy; rather, I’m creating opportunities for oxygen exchange in my body, which boosts brain function. This type of action stimulates executive function, which is the point where concepts like 'BS' come in.

00:03:23.070 Because the brain's executive function can improve through physical activity, I'd recommend doing something active before lengthy brainstorming sessions. If you're going to spend hours developing algorithms or drafting UML diagrams, grab your coworkers and take a walk before diving in.

00:03:43.030 You will be surprised at how much you accomplish just from that brief session of movement and communication. As you converse during a walk, you're forced to simplify your ideas enough to verbalize them, which can lead to better clarity. Plus, physical activity tends to increase executive function significantly.

00:04:03.700 Next, we can talk about unit testing your brain. This concept is crucial, especially if your experience with programming has left you puzzled about your identity. Unit testing serves as a metaphor for examining your behaviors and habits—as long as you can develop them, you will regain your sense of self.

00:04:24.150 Habits are fascinating; they operate unconsciously but can be incredibly efficient. However, they can also be detrimental when you don’t take the time to analyze when and how to apply them. For example, the first advice I’ll give you is to get outside for some fresh air.

00:04:44.540 The next piece of advice is to pinpoint when you should be using habits and when you need to engage in deeper thinking. In one of the first XP books, they emphasized how people tend to spend an immense amount of time arguing about how a system should work instead of just doing something as simple as writing a test.

00:05:04.500 Your habits function similarly. They rely on the principle that when you repeatedly do a task or complete certain actions, your brain will recognize these sequences and adapt to them over time. Creating habits takes about 30 to 40 days on average. However, this duration can vary based on individual differences.

00:05:25.030 Once you've done the work to create a habit, you’ll find that your brain becomes adept at these actions automatically. This can play out in various ways, with one example being a habit I built around not locking myself out of my house.

00:05:45.970 Fifteen years ago, I decided I would use certain experiences—like my initial panic of being locked out—as reminders to not repeat the mistake. The brain learns and rewrites itself, constantly creating new pathways and response mechanisms. This kind of reprogramming is essential.

00:06:06.610 It's crucial to manage this rewiring process properly. After all, while you can use this power for good, there are also potential downsides. I remember being tired the night before this talk and vowing to review my notes, only to find myself too exhausted to follow through.

00:06:26.830 That morning, I actually woke up an hour late. My subconscious brain had taken charge, so I had to adjust my expectations on how to tackle the day ahead. The best way to deal with these cognitive hiccups is to set your intentions the night before.

00:06:46.380 Think about what you want your brain to achieve, and create triggers that remind you to wake up fully engaged and motivated. You can refine this process further by associating experiences or feelings with specific tasks.

00:07:06.970 The more you can create positive anchors in your mind, the easier it will be for your brain to adapt. Perhaps an image of a kitten can serve as a reminder, or even recalling a humorous memory that makes you chuckle automatically upon reflection.

00:07:27.360 Humor can be an especially powerful tool because it creates an emotional connection. This response can reinforce certain ideas or actions, making them even more ingrained in your habits. The key takeaway is that you can effectively leverage your brain's natural wiring to your advantage.

00:07:47.990 You can influence the choices you make, which can set the groundwork for future actions. Allow yourself to visualize the scenarios you're entering into; imagine the sequence of events and create a mental flow to help navigate your expectations.

00:08:08.600 Now let's relate these techniques to real-world experiences. Don't be afraid to experiment with your brain and see how you respond to particular stimuli. Whether that means shifting your routine or altering your environment, be aware of how you are coding your response mechanisms through these interactions.

00:08:29.210 And remember, as you're working on these skills, it’s all about utilizing your abilities. Align your mindset with your actions, and the better you can condition your response to stimuli, the more you can adapt to challenges when they arise.

00:08:49.820 I gave a presentation today that emphasized habits in performance, discussing how vital units of change can occur through smaller, focused tasks over time. There are vast benefits to understanding how to unlock the underlying habits that govern your decision-making.

00:09:10.420 Your brain is capable of remarkable things, but remember to balance instinctual reactions with conscious thought—this is critical in every dimension of your life. The tips I’m sharing can empower you to tap into that potential.

00:09:30.540 Thank you for sharing this space with me today, and as you venture forward, remember to embrace the unexpected twists and turns in your journey.

00:09:50.040 Utilize the idea of testing your own behavior because that level of reflection can help you hone in on what's vital for your success. You might feel this is silly, but these actions can lead to meaningful improvements over time.

00:10:10.200 I appreciate you being here with me and hope these concepts inspire you to take the next steps in transforming your habits to elevate both your skills and quality of life. Thank you!

MountainWest RubyConf 2011