Memes & Minds: Collaboration!

I’ve always loved learning.

There is a wonderful and even addictive feeling in acquiring new skills and knowledge.

Learning is the only way to grow, in every possible way, and it's increasingly necessary to stay relevant in the workforce. As Anant Agarwal put it:

Today, we need to be learning and upskilling continuously in smaller chunks with a lifelong learning mindset.

But there is something more to learning that is MIND-BLOWING for me that I recently discovered.

I’m particularly interested in how learning skyrockets when connecting with others.

Let me explain further.

We all know that learning by teaching (meaning, talking to others) is one of the most effective ways of fixating information into our brains - but why?

I recently stumbled across a fascinating book called “The Beginning of Infinity” by David Deutsch, a physicist and philosopher - known for his work in quantum computation.

He provides a unique concept about knowledge - and how we learn.

One word: Meme.

Yup, I know what you are thinking, your daily dose of internet laughter.

But what does this have to do with knowledge?

EVERYTHING.

According to Deutsch, a meme is essentially a piece of information or a habit of thought that is passed from one individual to another through imitation and communication rather than through genetic inheritance.

This concept is rooted in the “theory of memetics”, which views memes as the cultural counterpart to genes in biological evolution.

Memes are not just simple jokes or internet trends, but rather they encompass a broader range of cultural information: ideas, beliefs, patterns of behavior, and even languages, which are replicated and transmitted within a culture.

But wait, it gets better.

Ever felt that instant connection when someone shares a meme, and you just get it?

That's the community magic right there.

Memes build these unique pockets of people who share a laugh, an opinion, or even an eye-roll.

It’s like an inside joke with a million people you’ve never met.

Crazy, right?

And here is the best part: memes play a major role in human evolution, they are crucial in the development and progress of human knowledge.

Memes, according to Deutsch, have the power to shape human behavior and society as they evolve, compete, and spread in a manner analogous to biological evolution. Brené Brown puts it wonderfully:

We are born makers. We move what we’re learning from our heads to our hearts through our hands.

Finally, two great things complement this in business and are deeply interconnected with our capacity to connect and learn: mirror neurons and the “mirroring technique” in sales.

Mirror neurons - a discovery that has fascinated neuroscientists and psychologists alike, are specialized cells in the brain that fire not only when an individual performs an action but also when they observe the same action performed by another.

Imitating someone else’s facial expressions, for example, is so hardwired that one-month-old babies are already smiling or sticking out their tongues when they observe someone else doing the same.

This mirroring process is the neurological foundation for empathy, understanding, and even the deep human capacity to learn from and connect with each other.

WOW - right?

We are brain-wired to be interconnected.

In essence, when we see someone engaging in a behavior or expressing an emotion, our mirror neurons simulate that activity, allowing us to "feel" and understand the experience internally without actually performing the action.

This mechanism is a cornerstone in explaining how we learn through observation and imitation, highlighting the incredible efficiency of learning in social contexts - meaning talking to each other and/or teaching.

The implications of mirror neurons extend beyond mere academic interest; they shed light on the fundamental ways in which humans connect, empathize, and evolve together, reinforcing the idea that learning is inherently a shared journey.

Leveraging the principle behind mirror neurons, the mirroring technique in sales becomes a powerful tool for building rapport and trust.

For those of us who have seen this first-hand - this technique involves subtly mimicking the body language, speech patterns, and attitudes of others to create a sense of affinity and understanding.

It’s amazing how the conversation takes turns once you use this technique.

Mirroring can boost communication and negotiation outcomes by aligning more closely with the client’s emotional and cognitive states, fostering a smoother and more effective interaction.

This is why empathy and adaptability in business are key, demonstrating that success often hinges on our ability to connect and resonate with others on a deep, almost subtle level.

So, quick circling back to the beginning.

My passion for learning is not just about the accumulation of knowledge but about the incredible journey of connecting with others, understanding them, and growing together.

Learning is not about the pursuit of knowledge and individual growth. And, like Satya Nadella says,

You cannot grow if you don't think your growth comes because of what you're doing.

Moreover, learning is also about how we, as a collective, evolve through the memes we share, the empathy we cultivate, and the connections we forge.

Exploring, sharing, and connecting, not only makes us achieve amazing new heights in our own lives but also contributes to the beyond-awesome development of human knowledge and culture.

That, right there, is the true beauty of learning.

About me: I'm a passionate entrepreneur, writer, and women in leadership advocate. Co-founder of slantis. Speaker at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and Practice of Architecture. Wife 1x, Mom x2, Entrepreneur 1000x. Follow me to learn how we grow our awesome company!