The Unique Value of Hardwires

In today’s interconnected world, access to vast amounts of information, especially unfiltered social media content, is at our fingertips. However, this information is often generic, technical, and disconnected from our inner selves. Discovering a personalized truth about our innermost being can be elusive. Additionally, the topic of the human brain, for many, remains an enigmatic and distant subject.

Nevertheless, there has been a recent shift in interest, with individuals becoming more receptive to theoretical aspects of the brain, particularly in the field of brain science.

Many people remain focused on enhancing their competencies, appearance, competitiveness, and material status, believing these attributes define their “inner selves.” They are often too preoccupied with these external pursuits, so they avoid embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

While others are held back by a profound fear of failure and the prospect of encountering guilt and shame when confronting their own imperfections. Then there are those who remain passive, fatalistic, survival-oriented, and dependent on external gratification. They seldom consider the possibility of “renewing” their minds or asking the fundamental question, “Who am I?”

Vivienne Schultz, the founder of A2B, faced many of her own personal challenges. She stepped into a place of vulnerability, desiring to understand both herself and the human condition.  She embarked on a 25-year experiential journey, stepping out of her comfort zone in Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, and South Africa. She engaged with people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, gaining a unique perspective on the human experience.

Her journey led her to confront three primary fears. The fear of death (including phobias such as heights, water, snakes, and insects), the fear of abandonment, and the fear of failure (linked to ego and shame). These fears, rooted in self-preservation and originating in the primitive brain, are responsible for the formation of deeply-rooted coping mechanisms and behavioral patterns known as “Hardwires”. A2B defines 16 Hardwires. Three of which are the primary causes of all Hardwires, namely higher brain dominance (nature), abuse (emotional and physical), and unconducive parenting (nurture).

Vivienne realized that, unrealistically, humans are expected to integrate their primitive brain with their higher brain (neocortex) during their formative years. Rather, only once the human demonstrates this integration and overcomes the negative effects of the primitive brain should society consider them fully mature and capable of responsible actions(such as parenting). People who remain stuck in a primitive state can have unintegrated fears and hardwired brain patterns. This can result in an ongoing cycle of oppression and abuse, with the victims often becoming oppressors themselves.

Research has shown that across cultures, the root of these issues lies in unconducive parenting and abuse, leading individuals to remain in a self-preservation state and preventing them from reaching their full potential.

Many are unaware of the brain’s neuroplasticity and the power they have to rewire their brains. Society compounds the issue by ascribing our emotions and behaviors to fixed “personality types.” This constrains our potential for introspection and genuine personal development.

Adults who are afflicted by their Hardwires are often victim-minded and deflect blame. This creates an external locus of control, perpetuating dependency and a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” mentality. These people are averse to confronting the truth and will often look the other way when bad things are happening, ultimately taking the path of least resistance. These Hardwires manifest in every individual, but it’s the management of these Hardwires that determines the varying impact they have.

The world is in dire need of awakening to these issues and preventing the degradation of the human mind. The Hardwires tool provides the answer by shedding light on false pretenses and getting to the inside business of the human. It combats cognitive dissonance, helping people align better with themselves and others.

The impact of the human race being in a hardwired state extends to every facet of our environment, contributing to its deterioration. Only by making individuals conscious of their inner challenges can we begin to address these issues and save the world. This journey starts with restoring smaller family ecosystems, early childhood development centers, schools, churches, social groups, and workplaces. Gradually, we can help individuals regain their volition and achieve sustainable wellbeing.

The Hardwires assessment provides clear insights into why people experience poverty and health issues, with unconducive parenting practices being statistically proven as the leading cause. No longer can excuses like “it’s my culture” or “it’s how I was raised” hold sway when the evidence points to the decline in behaviors within that civilization, both on a micro and macro level.

Approximately 80% of South Africans struggle to become self-starters, go-getters, decision-makers, and problem solvers, primarily due to the dominance of their primitive brain. The remaining 20% in the workforce often overcompensate, neglecting their physical health and interpersonal relationships, leading to burnout and mental health issues. This decline in volition is closely linked to the rise in mental illnesses.

The Hardwires tool is a crucial early detection system for mental irregularities.

It identifies lateralization problems and skewed reasoning styles. It highlights how societal conditioning and the misconception that comfort and soft living lead to happiness contribute to the dominance of the primitive brain.

Hardwires play a vital role in preventing disempowerment on multiple levels, serving as:

• A path to understanding individuals’ true selves, leading to wisdom.
• Empowerment to reduce reliance on costly chronic medications, resulting in savings on medical expenses.
• A source of hope and an alternative to addictive substances, whether drugs, pharmaceuticals, or work and social media addictions.
• A collection of tools for mind renewal, enhancing individuals’ power and happiness.
• A prognostic tool for evaluating growth mindsets.
• A tool for job and task suitability.
• A performance risk assessment tool.
• An assessment of sustainability and individual well-being.

In conclusion, Hardwires may well be one of the most crucial tools in our quest to save the human race. It brings clarity to the complex web of human behavior, offering a path to self-discovery, empowerment, and sustainable wellbeing.