Merlin Donald

Merlin Donald is a cognitive scientist known for his work on how human thinking and culture have evolved through different stages. He proposed that our minds developed through three main phases: the first involved the use of simple tools and social sharing in early humans; the second added the development of external memory systems like language and art, helping us store and transmit knowledge; and the third, ongoing phase, emphasizes external digital technologies like computers, which further shape cognition. His ideas highlight how our mental abilities are deeply connected to cultural tools and technological innovations over time.