Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why

Throughout Deep Survival, Gonzales raises the sticky question of bias in people’s perception and decision-making. He argues that bias plays an overlooked but highly consequential role in creating accidents and emergencies. This theme challenges the reader to consider how they may be putting themselves in danger in a survival situation.

Humans subconsciously project their memories into their plans and expectations for the future, which the author calls “mental models.” Gonzales reveals how people who are overly reliant on their mental models can become deluded and argues that the subconscious nature of this phenomenon makes it a common danger for outdoor adventurers. While people may think their plans are based on knowledge or preparation, Gonzales argues people instinctively base their mental models on conscious or unconscious memories. For instance, rock climbers may judge a certain climb as easy or enjoyable based on similar climbs they’ve previously completed, even if they logically know that the conditions could be very different for their next adventure. Developing mental models is an inherent part of human brain function, since people have evolved to make detailed plans for the future, which they store in the hippocampus. Gonzales argues that storing plans alongside memory intertwines the two, and that people often tie

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