3D brain modelling: Gumby edition
So, since I’ve been able to crank out vibe code apps fairly quickly, I got a little bit ambitious and decided to try something wilder: building an interactive brain that lets you explore the networks shaping emotion, attention and sense of self. This is my very first attempt at wiring real neuroimaging atlases into a web browser. It uses the fsaverage cortical surface from FreeSurfer and the Yeo 7-network parcellation to highlight two major networks: the salience network and the default mode network.
As you can see, it’s still kind of, well, lame. Mapping real brain data into something that feels intuitive on screen turns out to be surprisingly hard. But this is a start, and I’m going to keep playing with it until it feels as clear and emotionally meaningful as I know it can be. My goal is to get you something that clearly shows you the different structures of the major emotion networks, and how they connect to create emotional experiences.
as clear as your modelling, people
might finally believe you leave
the house.”
Salience network (red)
The salience network helps you notice what matters right now. It tracks changes inside your body and the world around you, helping your brain decide where to send attention.
- Anterior insula – monitors internal bodily signals and gut feelings.
- dACC – registers conflict, effort, and “something is off” signals.
- Fronto-insular regions – switch between external and internal focus.
Together, these areas act like a neural switchboard — detecting important, emotional, or unusual events and reallocating your brain’s resources.
Default Mode Network (blue)
The default mode network supports memory, imagination, identity, and the construction of your internal narrative.
- mPFC – thinking about yourself and others.
- PCC/precuneus – autobiographical memory and self-continuity.
- Angular gyrus / TPJ – perspective-taking and meaning.
- Hippocampal formation – episodic memory and scene building.
Geoff Crane designs research-backed tools to make so-called “soft skills” concrete, measurable, and deeply human. After more than two decades in industry and another decade in personal intelligence research and program design, his work now supports coaches, educators, and organisations that want to understand people more clearly and help them grow with care.
Curious about your own patterns of emotion, connection, and motivation? You can complete the MIPI Short for free on my home page and receive a brief feedback report to start exploring your personal intelligence.
