The Composite Human

“Composite,” per Merriam-Webster: made up of distinct parts or elements.

The Composite Human is a blog inspired by years of watching Vsauce, MinutePhysics, PBS Nature, and other science YouTube channels. The aspects that make up a human life are uncountable—the physics phenomena, quantum physics, genetics, nature, nurture, brain activity, diet, microbiome. To completely decode the puzzle is nigh impossible. And that’s not to mention the world we live in, its many mysteries, and how they interact with us.

Here on The Composite Human, we’ll explore those mysteries. Some you’ve heard of, like this idea proposed by mathematician Émile Borel: if an infinite number of monkeys sat at a typewriter, in theory one of them would type a Shakespeare play.

And other mysteries will be totally new to you. For example, just how is it that your brain selects each individual word you say? And what makes you use one word instead of its synonym?

But this site isn’t just a place for my opinions and other scientists’ ideas; it’s an instruction manual on how to human better. Some posts will delve into concrete, psychological phenomena that steer our behavior. With the knowledge of them, you can avoid them, or you can use them to your advantage.

To keep up with me and with the blog, you can find me on Instagram @thecompositehuman and @jaygoodwin17. You can also contact me via email at jamal.goodwinjr@gmail.com.

Stay curious. Stay human.

– Jamal G.