Gary Marcus's theory of the human brain as an evolutionary kluge

¶ … Kluge by Gary Marcus

In spite of the fact that scientists, and people in general, believe the human mind to represent what is the closest to perfection, it appears that, according to Gary Marcus's book "Kluge: The Haphazard Evolution of the Human Mind," matters are quite different. Throughout the history of evolution, nature has struggled to refine the human brain through various methods, bringing it to its present stage. The general public prefers to believe that humans and their achievements are proof that the human mind is on the verge of reaching perfection. However, as Marcus pictures it, the brain is a result of a series of accidents which happened across time and it is not as perfect as some might actually think.

Evolution has made it possible for the civilized world to exist and has lead to the creation of remarkable technologies. However, as clever as the human mind can be, it is also capable of performing great errors. Humanity has become an expert in improvising with whatever materials it came across. Marcus has even attributed a name to such improvisations, and, Kluge is the term.

Improvisations are not only performed by amateurs, as even scientists can resort to using cobbled together devices when the situation demands it. This is best proved through Marcus's example of the astronauts on Apollo 13, who worked together in making a filter to reduce the alarming levels of carbon dioxide on board the ship. The filter that they made consisted out of several simple materials on board, such as a sock, a bag, and some adhesive tape. Marcus calls the resulted device a Kluge. He claims that the human brain is somewhat similar to the improvised mechanism used by the people aboard the Apollo 13.

History influenced people in believing that the brain is a grand design which has most probably been predestined. In contrast, Marcus believes that the brain is a result of a series of adaptations to various conditions. It has become what it is in the present because of evolution, which basically brought together a mixture of elements and temporary answers at a choice of moments in time.

The problem with Kluges, however, is that their efficiency is usually short-lasting, as they are not expected to be long lasting solutions to the problems that they are designed for. Marcus exaggerates at some points, claiming that humans perceive their brain wrongly, at there is nothing elegant about its construction, and, furthermore, that it is a result of clumsy alterations performed though time. To some degree, Marcus's statements are real, as it is generally known that the human brain has its share of flaws.