Ep 10. In It to Win It

In the season 3 finale of the popular National Geographic Channel series Brain Games, titled "In It to Win It," viewers are taken on a journey through the world of competition and how the human brain is wired to respond to it.

The episode opens with host Jason Silva introducing the concept of competition and how it has been a driving force in human evolution. He explains that the thrill of competition is hardwired into our brains and is something that all of us experience at some point in our lives.

Throughout the episode, Silva and his team of experts use a combination of interactive experiments and real-life examples to explore the various ways in which competition affects our brains and behavior. They begin by examining the role that competition plays in our everyday lives, from the workplace to our social interactions with others.

One particularly fascinating segment focuses on the concept of the "winner effect," which refers to the idea that winning a competition can actually change the chemistry of our brains in a way that makes us more likely to win future competitions. To demonstrate this concept, the Brain Games team sets up an experiment in which participants engage in a series of competitive tasks against each other. As the contestants begin to win, they become increasingly aggressive and confident, which ultimately leads to a competitive frenzy that is both exhilarating and disturbing to watch.

Another segment of the show focuses on the role that competition plays in the animal kingdom, with particular emphasis on how animals use displays of dominance and aggression to establish their place in their social hierarchy. To illustrate this concept, the show introduces a team of animal experts who conduct a series of experiments with different species, including wolves and birds of prey.

As the episode progresses, the team delves deeper into the psychological mechanisms that underlie our competitive instincts. They examine the role that adrenaline plays in enhancing our mental and physical performance, and how our brains respond to the prospect of winning or losing. They also explore the ways in which our emotions can both facilitate and hinder our competitive drive.

Ultimately, the message of "In It to Win It" is that competition is a fundamental part of the human experience. It is something that we are all hardwired to respond to, whether we are participating in a friendly game of cards with friends or striving to win the world championship. By understanding the psychological mechanisms that underlie our competitive drive, we can learn to channel this energy in a way that is both positive and productive. So, the episode is all about the psychological and biological aspects of competition to show how competition is a natural part of human evolution.