David Perkins frames intelligence as upgradable software: neural intelligence is genetic hardware, experiential intelligence is domain knowledge, and reflective intelligence (mindware) is the metacognitive toolkit that orchestrates them. Installing good mindware and filtering out “cognitive malware” creates a virtuous cycle of better reasoning and decisions.

• Mindware: Neural architecture as hardware; mental strategies as software that can be installed, updated, or uninstalled.
• Mind Gardening: Intentionally cultivating good cognitive inputs (“seeds”) while weeding out toxic ideas.