Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep118 "Why has the brain always been our hardest puzzle?" with Matthew Cobb
Aug 25, 2025
Join Matthew Cobb, an evolutionary neurobiologist from the University of Manchester and author of The Idea of the Brain, as he delves into the mysteries of the human brain. Discover how historical theories have evolved alongside technology, from skull bumps to AI. He discusses the legacy of Frankenstein and the intricate relationship between brain function and our understanding of consciousness. Get insights into brain plasticity, the limitations of machine metaphors, and the evolving interplay between neuroscience and artificial intelligence.
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Technology Shapes Brain Theories
- Each era models the brain using its dominant technology, shaping questions and experiments.
- Metaphors illuminate useful paths but also blind researchers to other possibilities.
Electricity Shows Animate Power
- Early electricians performed dramatic public demonstrations charging people and animals to show electrical effects.
- Experiments on frog nerves and electric fish pushed scientists toward the idea of electricity in nerves.
Phrenology Led Toward Localization
- Phrenology popularized the idea of localized brain function despite being pseudoscientific.
- Broca's lesion studies later provided robust evidence for some localization of function.
