Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 180 | Camilla Pang on Instructions for Being Human
Jan 17, 2022
Camilla Pang, a postdoctoral researcher and author of "Explaining Humans," shares her journey navigating social interactions as someone with autism. She discusses the unwritten rules of being human, offers insights into neurodiversity, and highlights the importance of empathy. The conversation bridges science and personal anecdotes, exploring how machine learning parallels human decision-making. Pang emphasizes the complexities of communication and memory, drawing intriguing comparisons between protein behavior and social etiquette, illustrating the intersection of science and human experience.
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Origin of the Book
- Camilla Pang wrote notes to understand the world as an autistic person with ADHD.
- These notes, initially a personal tool, formed the basis of her book.
Science as a Tool for Understanding
- Pang's book explains human behavior from an outsider's perspective using scientific metaphors.
- It helps neurotypical readers understand the autistic experience while making science relatable.
Understanding Autism
- Autism affects social connection, making it difficult to grasp nuances and understand intentions.
- It often involves sensory processing disorders, leading to being overwhelmed by stimuli others filter out.
