#96 Systems Neuroscience and Why Automaticity Matters for Cognitive Evolution with Mac Shine
Show notes
Find Mac at https://macshine.github.io/publications/
Mac’s Lab: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/mac.shine
The Brain Inspired conversation Andrea mentions.
Mac Shine on Systems Neuroscience, Automaticity, and the Cerebellum’s Role in Human Cognition. In discussion with Andrea Hiott.
University of Sydney systems neuroscientist Mac Shine in conversation about systems neuroscience and the challenge of linking single-neuron explanations with whole-brain network accounts. Shine describes his path from evolutionary biology influences and medical training to a search for simplified, cross-scale principles in brain science, noting how terminology like “representation” or “integration” can hinder communication across disciplines. They discuss his 2014 paper “Delegation to Automaticity,” inspired by observing his son learn to walk, which argues that cerebellar architecture supports the delegation of difficult skills into automatic control, freeing resources for higher-level cognition and potentially shaping human cognitive evolution alongside bipedalism. Shine contrasts basal ganglia habit findings with cerebellar predictive control, uses driving and chess to illustrate deliberate versus automatic processes, and emphasizes embodiment, learning through struggle, and collaborative, caring lab culture.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:27 Automaticity and Evolution Teaser
02:48 Why This Conversation Matters
05:02 What Is Systems Neuroscience
10:24 Mac’s Path Into Systems Thinking
18:42 Language Gaps Across Fields
26:15 Are We Assuming Cognition
33:35 Delegation to Automaticity Paper
37:19 Cerebellum as Automation Engine
46:09 Bipedalism and Coevolving Mind Body
47:29 Bipedalism And Cognition
50:05 Natural Selection Good Enough
52:37 Frozen Accidents And Delegation
55:06 Humans Adapt Not Excel
58:33 Repetition To Automaticity
01:00:19 Habit Versus Automatic
01:08:18 Driving And Chess Layers
01:16:18 Beyond Motor Cognition
01:21:57 Flow States And Expertise
01:27:26 Scientific Humility Ethos
01:29:16 Curiosity Over Credit
01:30:57 AI And The Value Of Being Wrong
01:33:07 Learning Through Struggle
01:37:59 Embodiment And Driving
01:40:56 Cerebellum Body Brain Coupling
01:48:14 Expertise Through Variation
01:53:31 Lab Curiosity And Next Questions
01:59:49 Care Love And Leadership
02:04:44 Closing Reflections
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