Neuroscientist David Eagleman, known for his work on brain plasticity and sensory substitution, shares captivating insights into human identity and perception. He discusses how emotional experiences shape us, the complexity of memory, and the fluid nature of self. The conversation touches on willpower as a limited resource and innovative tools like athletic nicotine for enhancing focus. Eagleman also explores 'Possibilianism,' urging a broader exploration of existence, while reflecting on the profound impact of storytelling and the brain's intrinsic love for rhythm.
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insights INSIGHT
Brain as Identity
The brain, not other organs, defines your identity.
Damage to even small brain areas alters who you are fundamentally.
insights INSIGHT
Purpose of Dreaming
Dreaming safeguards the visual cortex from being taken over by other senses during sleep.
The brain plasticity level correlates with dream frequency.
insights INSIGHT
Diverse Internal Realities
Internal models of reality differ significantly between individuals.
Synesthesia, color blindness, and varying internal monologues highlight these differences.
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In 'Livewired', David Eagleman delves into the dynamic and adaptive nature of the human brain, highlighting its ability to reconfigure itself in response to environmental stimuli. The book covers a wide range of topics, including synesthesia, dreaming, and wearable neurotech devices that revolutionize how we think about the senses. Eagleman also introduces his concept of 'liveware' and discusses how the brain's adaptability can lead to remarkable feats, such as a blind person learning to 'see' with their tongue or a deaf person learning to 'hear' with their skin. The book is praised for its accessible and engaging writing style, making complex neuroscience accessible to a broad audience.
Incognito
The Secret Lives of the Brain
David Eagleman
In this book, renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman delves into the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate its surprising mysteries. He explores various aspects such as why your foot can move before you are consciously aware of danger, the brain's role in decision-making, and the implications of unconscious processes on our understanding of free will and the justice system. The book covers a wide range of topics including brain damage, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, making it a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind.
Sum
Forty Tales from the Afterlives
David Eagleman
David Eagleman is a neuroscientist at Stanford University and a bestselling author. His neuroscience research spans the areas of brain plasticity, sensory substitution, human perception, synesthesia, and beyond. As the co-director of the Center for Science & Law, he works at the intersection of neuroscience and the legal system, using new discoveries in neuroscience to inform lawmaking. Eagleman also applies his research findings through ventures including Neosensory, a company he co-founded to develop sensory substitution devices. Known for making complex science accessible, he is the writer and presenter of the Emmy-nominated PBS series The Brain with David Eagleman, and he now shares valuable insights on his podcast, Inner Cosmos. A prolific author, his books include Incognito, Sum, and his latest release, Livewired.
David Eagleman’s upcoming events can be found here.
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