Chapter 3
Preference: The (Un)Conscious Filter of (In)Finite Choice
Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to choose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice.
Ayn Rand, author
Elliott was a 30-something successful man with a wife and children when he encountered what many would consider their worst nightmare—a tumor: more specifically, a brain tumor. But Elliott’s case did not end in the premature death of a vibrant young man, at least not in the physical sense. Doctors were able to remove the benign tumor from the prefrontal cortex of his brain, and, by all indications of post-operative tests that followed, Elliott was back to “normal.” Doctors found minimal impact on his neurological and psychological function. The location of the tumor meant that Elliot’s language and motor skills were unaffected. He scored at or above average levels in numerous tests, over and over again. Yet, despite the negligible impact on his cognitive skills, it soon became apparent that something did die with that tumor. This was not the same Elliott.
Although Elliott retained his short- and long-term memory, his expertise and knowledge base, and his ability to analyze data in great detail, he could no longer hold a job because he couldn’t prioritize his work, manage his time, or complete needed tasks. Without steady employment, he entered into several foolish business ventures, losing his life savings in dealings with disreputable people. Soon he was divorced and then remarried ...
