A fiscal cliffhanger? Of course, it’s in our nature.

Long before we developed a frontal cortex — the CEO of our brain, which enables us to generate accurate scenarios, prioritize them in order of likelihood and circumvent dangerous long-term outcomes — we, like other creatures, survived by relying on embedded instincts, such as fight or flight.

 As best we can tell, our frontal cortex began expanding 3 to 4 million years ago, around the time we became bipedal. It grew so fast that it now occupies about a third of our gray matter, equipping us with foresight and ingenuity that no other species on Earth comes close to. And it is this remarkable asset — the ability to preempt danger — that has been largely responsible for catapulting humans to the top of the living world.

Yet, time and time again, we surrender to the lowest instruments of our genetic inheritance. Instead of applying rational thinking, which has been millions of years in the making, we surrender to bickering, blaming and boasting as we sail toward the edge of this, or some other, cliff. In the words of famed sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson, “We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and God-like technology.” He concluded his 2009 Harvard lecture by remarking: “And it is terrifically dangerous.”
Wilson is right.
Based on this simple biological truth, we can predict with some certainty that our leaders will follow the example of the Mayan, Roman and Khmer civilizations, and more recently, Greece and Spain: They will run the clock out. When the cliff is upon us, and our hearts pound and our bodies fill with ancient chemicals, we will spring into action with the same urgency we have when encountering a snake in our path.
It’s a story as old as humankind itself.
As the nation braces for yet another heroic ninth-inning save, perhaps it’s time to examine our precarious predicament from 30,000 feet. Perhaps if we stopped making heroes out of those who reach out and snatch us from the jaws of disaster, we wouldn’t need quite so many last-minute rescues. Perhaps one day our leaders will set aside their primitive instincts in favor of leveraging our greatest evolutionary advantage. Perhaps they will choose preemption over panic. Perhaps.

rebeccacosta@yahoo.com
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VoiceAmerica Radio Host Rebecca Costa Reclaims Reality for Readers

VoiceAmerica Business Channel Host Rebecca Costa Released Second Book, The Watchman’s Rattle: A Radical New Theory of Collapse.

 Voice America Radio Network, Internet broadcasting pioneer, producing and syndicating online audio and video, is proud to announce that American sociobiologist, author, and VoiceAmerica talk-radio host Rebecca D. Costa released her second book, titled The Watchman’s Rattle: A Radical New Theory of Collapse on Saturday November 17, 2012.

Two years following the book’s initial release, which was named one of the best science and technology books of 2010, publisher Perseus Books Group introduces The Watchman’s Rattle: A Radical New Theory of Collapse. The book is available in bookstores and retail outlets, as well as airports all over the nation.

The Watchman’s Rattle is a call to action, a planted seed- a proposal to stop being so easily convinced that the world is going downhill, and to make an effort to help change the course. Costa pulls headlines from the news to show how quickly problems are presented to society before there is a chance to discern them, which results in immediate chaos and worry. She addresses that there is an issue with how problems are categorized as political, social and economic rather than addressing them at the roots. In depth explanations are offered for these issues, as well as solutions discussed.

After her first book was released in 2010, Rebecca Costa began her radio program, “The Costa Report”, with the VoiceAmerica Network. Her show is also syndicated to over 20 radio stations across the United States. Her radio show broadcasts cover topics ranging from government debt, healthcare and terrorism, to election, education and energy reform.

“The Costa Report” airs on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel ( www.voiceamerica.com/channel/247/voiceamerica-business) every Tuesday at 6 AM and 6 PM Pacific Time. To listen to all new and previous episodes visit www.voiceamerica.com/show/2113/the-costa-report.

The Voice America TM Network offers the latest conversations in a talk radio format, providing education, interaction, and advice on key issues live, on demand as well as through pod cast download. If interested in hosting a talk radio show on Voice America Network, contact Jeff Spenard, President of Internet Radio at 480-294-6417 or at jeff.spenard@voiceamerica.com.

Contact Senior Executive Producer Randall Libero at 480-553-5743 for advertising / sponsorship information or other show details.

About Rebecca Costa:
Rebecca Costa is an American sociobiologist who offers an evolutionary explanation for current events and emerging trends. A new voice in the mold of Thomas Friedman and Malcolm Gladwell, Costa attributes modern consternation – from government gridlock, terrorism, crime on Wall Street, epidemic obesity and upheaval in the Middle East - to genetic imperatives. Retiring from a career in Silicon Valley, Costa spent six years researching and writing The Watchman’s Rattle. The success of the book in 20 countries led to a weekly radio program called The Costa Report. In 2012, The Costa Report was syndicated by the Business TalkRadio Network and the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. Rebecca D. Costa is currently represented by the Scott Meredith Literary Agency and American Program Bureau. For more information visit www.rebeccacosta.com

About VoiceAmerica/World Talk Radio, LLC:
World Talk Radio, LLC is the world leader in online media broadcasting and the largest producer and distributor of live internet based talk radio and TV, delivering over 1,000 hours of programming weekly on its VoiceAmerica™ Network ( www.voiceamerica.com) and WorldTalk Radio Network ( www.worldtalkradio.com) as well as live and on-demand video content on VoiceAmerica.TV ( www.voiceamerica.tv). Featuring more than 200 hosts broadcasting to eight niche community based channels: its flagship VoiceAmerica™ Variety Channel, VoiceAmerica™ Health & Wellness Channel, VoiceAmerica™ Business Channel, VoiceAmerica Sports, 7th Wave Channel, The Green Living Channel, VoiceAmerica Kids Channel and World Talk Radio Variety Channel. VoiceAmerica™ TV offers targeted and exclusive video programming channels. World Talk Radio, LLC is one of the pioneers in internet broadcasting, producing and syndicating online audio and video, offering an innovative, effective and comprehensive digital broadcast platform. Digital Publishing through its 10 years of broadcast and media experience along with our seasoned staff of Executive Producers, Production and Host Services Group, World Talk Radio, LLC provides an internet radio and video platform for new, emerging and veteran media personalities to expand and monetize their business and brand in an online digital medium.