Science Fictions Episode 84: Brain training
28 snips
Sep 16, 2025 The hosts dive into the whimsical saga of brain training games and their claim to calculate your "brain age." They examine studies and meta-analyses that raise eyebrows over the effectiveness of these cognitive drills. Discussions lightheartedly navigate the complexities of intelligence and memory, questioning whether specific training truly boosts overall smarts. Amid this chatter, there's exciting news about a rebranding and a new podcast network, ensuring future connections and deep dives into science and language.
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The Dr Kawashima Phenomenon
- Dr Kawashima's Nintendo DS game popularised the idea of 'brain age' with simple neuropsychological tasks.
- The hosts recall the game's viral appeal and social sharing mechanic that framed results as a 'brain age'.
Transfer Is The Central Claim
- The 2008 PNAS study claimed working memory training (dual n-back) improved fluid intelligence.
- That claim hinges on transfer: training in one domain producing gains in another distinct ability.
How Dual N-Back Feels In Practice
- Dual n-back tasks present auditory letters and visual positions and require remembering items 'n' steps back.
- The hosts describe how brutal and unpleasant dual n-back training can feel in practice.
