Norman discusses the functional differences that elevate the human mind above the other creatures of this planet. He begins by discussing the evolutionary process and the major intellectual differences between man and ape. Three areas that set us apart are social interaction, teaching, and artifacts. He further separates us from other animals with a discussion of four possible stages in the development of human cognition. Norman then moves on to address such issues as social interaction, mimicry, complex planning, and cognitive tunnel vision; and why they make us cognitively unique on this planet.

Norman reminds us of evolutions kludge method of advancement: modify existing structures in small slow steps hoping that the best design survives to evolve further. He discusses the four stages in the development of human cognition. The first stage, episodic memory, is a cognitive limitation to experiential memory only. The second stage, momesis, is the ability to form internal wants and desires and then act on them. The third stage, mythic, is language development. The fourth stage, external representations, is the creation of cognitive artifacts. Norman distinquishes between biological cooperation (wired-in) from intentional, cognitive cooperation. His central argument in his discussion of all of these issues is our ability to create and understand complex patterns. This ability allows us to mimic the world around us, to form language, to communicate through stories, and to create external cognitive tools to move us beyond evolution.

The implications of Norman's chapter is important. We must understand our past in order to direct our future. By understanding our strengths and our weaknesses, we can better direct our technological growth. Our use of technology, good or bad, will have a monumental effect on our future. Norman makes two statements that together can describe the intended message of this chapter: "...the powers of the machine and the powers of the person complement one another, leading to the possibility that the combination will be more fruitful and powerful than either alone" (p. 117); and "The future of human evolution is through technology" (p. 123). We must create cognitive artifacts that will embrace our strengths and replace our weaknesses, so that we may continue to evolve far past our biological programming.