The Extended Mind
Your brain isn’t just in your head; it’s everywhere you think.
Annie Murphy Paul
This book flips traditional thinking on its head by arguing that intelligence doesn’t live only in your brain, it lives in your body, your surroundings, your relationships, and your tools. From environmental cues to social learning and physical movement, Annie shows how thinking becomes bigger, smarter, and more human when we expand where we believe thinking happens.
Aug 24, 2025
Story behind the story
She interviewed scientists, educators, and innovators, asking how thinkers today solve complex problems. What she found is that the world itself can become our thinking partner, if we learn to use it intentionally.
Creative journey
Expect memorable, real-world examples, not academic fluff. Annie pulls cognitive science into the everyday: walking meetings, collaborative problem-solving, handwriting vs typing… things you can actually apply tomorrow.
About the author
Annie Murphy Paul is a science writer who makes big ideas feel personal. She’s fascinated by how we think, and why modern society teaches us to think in such limited ways. Her work bridges science, education, and creativity in a way that feels refreshing, even liberating.
What readers will take away
You’ll walk away with a new idea of intelligence, one that values curiosity, environment, movement, and collaboration over solo genius. It’s empowering, especially for readers who feel “boxed in” by traditional work or study styles.
Looking ahead
Annie continues to explore learning, creativity, and human potential, helping people rethink what thinking really is.
Fun personal touch
Annie swears by “thinking walks” — she says some of her best insights come not at a desk but while moving and looking around. A reminder we all need.
About
Sharing honest stories, creative insights, and meaningful reads that inspire, challenge, and connect readers and writers around the world.
Featured Posts
