My Review:

The book, "Physical Intelligence: The Science of Thinking Without Thinking" by Scott Grafton, offers an in-depth and thorough explanation of the current understanding of neuroscience regarding the complex structures and systems that are involved in seemingly simple actions such as understanding the pace of movement around the body and how to move within it.

The author presents the information in an easy-to-understand manner and adds a touch of humor to make the reading experience enjoyable. The organization of topics in the book is based on the sights and challenges of a hike through the Sierra Nevada, which showcases the author's ability to also be a nature writer. Furthermore, the book presents conclusive evidence that bears possess exceptional problem-solving skills and an unwavering determination to loot all possible sources of delicious hidden treasure, similar to that of players of Dungeons and Dragons.

It also provides an in-depth examination of the intricate algorithms that the brain utilizes to allow humans to move and navigate through the world. He argues that intelligence, often thought of as purely cognitive abilities such as mathematical and philosophical thinking, has actually developed as a means of allowing hominids to be more successful in physical movement. This has significant implications for the future, as the rise of AI threatens to take over physical jobs.

Many experts argue that this will allow humans to focus on the more creative and communicative aspects of work, however, Grafton posits that this line of thinking misunderstands the true nature of human intelligence. He argues that it is our unique ability to learn and adapt through physical exploration and training that has allowed us to become the dominant species on Earth. Therefore, the loss of physical jobs and activities may have a detrimental impact on our overall intelligence and well-being if we do not provide an environment that allows us to fully utilize both the physical and cognitive abilities of our brain.

Throughout the book, Grafton uses the metaphor of a hike through the Sierra Nevada mountains to illustrate the environment in which the brain evolved to allow for successful navigation and movement. He also highlights the importance of testing oneself against the physical world in order to develop and maintain physical intelligence. Overall, this book is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in the intersection of neuroscience, AI, and human movement.

Some of the lessons I learned from this book are:

• Understanding of current neuroscience's understanding of the complex structures and systems involved in how the brain performs seemingly simple actions.
• Explanation of how physical intelligence has played a key role in human success and domination of the world.
• The importance of physical exploration and training for brain development and adaptation.
• The potential impact of AI on physical jobs and activities and the need to provide an environment that allows for full utilization of physical and abstract thinking.
• The author's use of a personal hiking experience to illustrate the environment in which the brain evolved for successful movement.
• The idea that traditional notions of intelligence may not fully encompass the capabilities of the human brain.
• The importance of testing oneself against the world for physical intelligence development.
• The potential consequences of losing physical jobs and activities on human well-being.