The human heart is an incredibly fascinating organ. Consider this: from the first pump that developed in Tunicata to the human heart coming into its own(1), it took roughly 520 million years—give or take 20 million years. Meanwhile, modern humans only took about 300,000 years to evolve, according to Hublin et al(2).
Our human condition depends on a blend of elements: the physical heart, our mental state, and the environment we live in. Neglecting to care for any of these can lead to a skewed perspective, which in turn may fuel the radicalization of individuals or groups with similar experiences(4). Sure, this is a simplified take on the complex, random processes that shape our personalities and mental clarity, but having a framework is crucial for understanding developmental psychology.
What’s even more mind-blowing is how few people can fully grasp these monumental changes. Shockingly, only about 13% of American adults read at a proficient level(3). To break it down, the NAAL study scores reading comprehension from 0 to 500, and if you score above 245, you’re considered proficient. That means nearly 87% of adults fall short of being able to read analytically(high school level).
This statistic is disturbing on multiple levels. For one, we often equate our minds, souls, or identities with our hearts—viewing our core values as essential to our existence. Phrases like “wearing my heart on my sleeve” or “don’t break his/her/their heart” highlight just how central emotions are to who we are. It’s deeply unsettling to see concepts of love, understanding, and acceptance become so commercialized and superficial, with trends like “situationships” underscoring that shift.
Another alarming detail: 42% of Americans either own a firearm or have one in their household(5). While this might seem normal at first, the contrast with reading proficiency suggests many prioritize personal “freedoms” over solid education. It’s like our country is throwing 4000 points into defense and attack while only investing about 70 points in education and intellectual development(6)—a seriously unbalanced approach.
Forsaking our hearts for raw power sets the stage for fraud, disenfranchisement, and marginalization of those who lack resources. Leading us to tolerate intolerance, and to platform those who “seem” intelligent.
The bond between our hearts and minds is unbreakable. It’s nearly impossible to separate perception from experience, experience from intuition, and intuition from wisdom. This ongoing feedback loop helps shape our societal standards and public morals. It’s essential to understand and nurture what our hearts truly need rather than letting greed take over. Today’s twisted symbolism of the heart obscures its original, powerful meaning.
1. Williams, D. H. (1893). A case of successful repair of the pericardium following a penetrating chest wound. Journal of the National Medical Association, 5(3), 123–127.
2. Hublin et al. (2017).
3. Kutner, M., Greenberg, E., Jin, Y., & Paulsen, C. (2006). The national assessment of adult literacy: A first look at the literacy of America's adults in the 21st century (NCES 2006-483). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/naal/
4. McCauley, C., & Moskalenko, S. (2008). Mechanisms of political radicalization: Pathways toward terrorism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 20(3), 415–433.
5. Pew Research Center. (2017, June 22). America’s complex relationship with guns. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/22/americas-complex-relationship-with-guns/
6. U.S. Department of Education. (2020). Budget in Brief 2020. https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/index.html
