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.

01:03:40

Episode guests

Camilla Pang

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Quick takeaways

Utilizing science metaphors can provide a unique perspective on understanding human behavior and relationships.

Challenging traditional views on empathy and advocating for authentic representation of neurological diversity is crucial in promoting understanding.

Drawing parallels between deep learning algorithms and individual reflection aids in memory regulation and decision-making for those with executive memory challenges.

Deep dives

Understanding Human Behavior Through Science Metaphors

Camilla Pang, diagnosed with autism and ADHD, writes an instruction manual for being a human being from a unique perspective. She uses science metaphors to explain human behavior, viewing people as an outsider researching an alien species. By incorporating insights from various scientific domains such as psychology and biochemistry, Pang's book offers a blend of psychology, science communication, and human perspectives.

Intro

4min

Navigating Neurodiversity: Writing for Understanding

12min

Cultural Communication and Decision-Making Through Machine Learning

4min

Machine Learning and the Human Experience

13min

Social Dynamics and Memory Challenges in Unique Environments

4min

The Interplay of Memory and Morality

14min

Exploring the Multifaceted Nature of Proteins and Human Behavior

2min

Protein Interactions and Social Etiquette

15min

Being a human is tricky. There are any number of unwritten rules and social cues that we have to learn as we go, but that we ultimately learn to take for granted. Camilla Pang, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age eight, had a harder time than most, as she didn’t easily perceive the rules of etiquette and relationships that we need to deal with each other. But she ultimately figured them out, with the help of analogies and examples from different fields of science. We talk about these rules, and how science can help us think about them.

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Camilla Pang received her Ph.D. in computational biology from University College London. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher in pharmaceuticals and a volunteer cancer researcher at the Francis Crick Institute. She was awarded the Royal Society Prize for Science Books in 2020 for her book Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Relationships (US title: An Outsider’s Guide to Humans: What Science Taught Me about What We Do and Who We Are).

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