TED Talks Daily
TED Intersections: What makes you "you"? An actor and a neuroscientist answer | Yara Shahidi and Anil Seth
Aug 31, 2024
Yara Shahidi, a talented actor and producer, explores how acting touches on the essence of consciousness and identity. Joining her is Anil Seth, a cognitive neuroscientist who delves into the brain’s role in shaping our self-perception. Together, they discuss the emotional complexities actors face and how immersive performances can lead to deeper personal insights. They also tackle the intriguing implications of AI and the fluid nature of self, examining the rich interplay between neuroscience and individual experiences.
22:48
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Quick takeaways
- Yara Shahidi illustrates how immersing in diverse roles through acting reshapes her self-perception and empathy toward others.
- Anil Seth emphasizes the complexity of consciousness, advocating for a holistic view of personal identity that intertwines experiences and emotions.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Acting and Self-Understanding
Acting influences personal identity and self-perception significantly, as actors often adopt and embody various characters over time. Yara Shahidi shares how starting her acting career at a young age shaped her understanding of self, emphasizing that the act of immersing in roles forced her to reinterpret reality. As she developed her craft, embodying characters became a vital tool for exploring her identity, enhancing her ability to perceive her surroundings almost intuitively. This ongoing engagement in acting helps her understand her own experiences and worldviews through the lens of different personas.
