Book excerpt: ". . . get[s] to the bottom of why the human brain seems to propel us toward destructive behavior." - Dallas Morning NewsHow often have you heard that what distinguishes humans from other forms of advanced life is our superior brain? We can think rationally and make intelligent decisions; we are masters of ourselves and our world. But the fact is that the way we think and react can get us into trouble. We don''t "use" our brain - it uses us! Understanding how our instincts, "gut reactions," emotions, and conditioning rule our lives is one powerful part of author David L. Weiner''s Brain Tricks.Brain Tricks probes what Weiner calls the "dark side" of the brain - raw animal instincts rooted in our primitive past when survival, mating, and taming the environment required instant, uncritical, and wholly self-centered decision making. Though modified by early childhood conditioning, our primitive thought patterns continue to this day. Our brain ignores the rituals and rules of civilized society as we overreact to sudden situations, indulge in strong emotions and prejudice, and try to manipulate others. When we succumb to our dark side, "brain tricks" trouble is not far off. We alienate friends and lovers, quarrel with our bosses, become obsessed with possessions, commit murder, and start wars.In clear, easy to understand language, Weiner dramatizes "the genetic and conditioned programming that can lead us into chaos." Using well-developed vignettes featuring friends, lovers, business and professional associates, he provides an inviting vehicle for discussing our hard-to-resist tendencies to exert power over others, indulge in greed, succumb to jealousy and rage, and invent scapegoats to mask our own faults.