Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep106 "What happens when brains watch movies?" (with Jeffrey Zacks)
May 26, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Jeffrey Zacks, a cognitive scientist from Washington University, unpacks the fascinating interplay between brain function and film. He explores how movies manipulate our perception of reality and elicit emotional responses through intricate storytelling techniques. Zacks highlights the brain's ability to blend reality and fiction, creating a unique experience, and addresses why animals like dogs struggle with narrative. He also looks at the future of interactive media, merging films and video games, challenging our understanding of shared storytelling.
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Movies Engage Brain Deeply
- Movies deeply engage our brains, making us feel and live the story physically and emotionally.
- Our brains simulate movement, emotion, and social connection even when we're motionless in front of a screen.
Brains Build Event Models
- Our brains build detailed "event models" during movies to track characters, locations, and actions.
- This mental modeling helps us deeply comprehend and experience the unfolding story in films.
Brain Accepts Film Continuity Jumps
- Film editing breaks real-world continuity constraints, yet our brains remain unbothered and fill in the gaps seamlessly.
- The brain applies everyday updating mechanisms to accept jumps in time and space common in movies.
