The Harper’s Podcast
John Cleese and Iain McGilchrist (First Night)
Dec 13, 2018
Comic genius John Cleese and renowned psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist explore the connections between comedy and neuroscience. They discuss historical figures' success related to their height, their collaboration on 'The Divided Brain' documentary, the comedic genius of a professional comedian, the impact of rushing on decision-making, the left hemisphere's lack of self-awareness, decreasing attention spans, performing for different audiences, exploring emotions, and reductionism in 'Fawlty Towers'.
01:18:42
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Quick takeaways
- True scientific inquiry should be open to challenging ideas and exploring the paranormal, rather than adhering to a rigid framework.
- Creativity often arises when the unconscious mind is given space to bring forth new ideas, highlighting its power in problem-solving.
Deep dives
The Rigidity of Scientific Culture
The podcast episode discusses the rigid framework of current science and how it has become similar to a medieval religion, where there are right and wrong answers that must be adhered to. It highlights the lack of scientific exploration and the dismissal of ideas that challenge the current scientific paradigm. An example is given of how the belief that fat is the villain for heart disease was perpetuated for 60 years without evidence. The episode argues that true scientific inquiry should be open to challenging ideas and exploring the paranormal.
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