Richard Cytowic, a renowned neurologist and author known for exploring synesthesia, delves into our brain's struggle with modern technology. He discusses how our Stone Age instincts clash with today's smartphone addiction, emphasizing the impact on attention spans and social interactions. Cytowic unveils the allure of endless scrolling on social media and its psychological effects, while advocating for balance and boundaries in our tech-driven lives. He shares insights on reconnecting with nature to foster mental clarity and creativity.
01:02:59
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Synesthesia Explained
Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where stimulation of one sense triggers experiences in another, like tasting shapes or seeing colors with letters.
It's a heritable trait affecting about 4% of the population.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Synesthesia and Social Isolation
Richard Cytowic discusses synesthesia and shares a story about a girl whose perception of letters as colors led to social isolation.
This illustrates the misunderstanding and dismissal synesthesia can elicit.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Resistance to Synesthesia
Richard Cytowic recounts his experience with Michael Watson, "The Man Who Tasted Shapes," and the scientific community's initial resistance to synesthesia.
This highlights the challenges of introducing unorthodox ideas to established science.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'Stolen Focus', Johann Hari delves into the reasons behind the collapse of our ability to pay attention. He discusses various factors contributing to this issue and provides strategies on how to think deeply again and reclaim our focus in a world filled with distractions.
Welcome to episode #962 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Richard Cytowic is a neurologist, neuropsychologist, and a creative force who brought the enigmatic phenomenon of synesthesia back into scientific discourse after decades of dismissal, earning him international acclaim and cementing his place as a pioneer in neuroscience. Currently a Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington University, Richard has authored multiple groundbreaking books, including The Man Who Tasted Shapes, which won The Montaigne Medal, and has been the subject of three BBC documentaries. His work has influenced fields ranging from psychology to the arts, with speaking engagements at prestigious institutions like NASA, the Smithsonian, and the Library of Congress. In our conversation, Richard explored the themes of his latest book, Your Stone Age Brain In The Screen Age - Coping With Digital Distraction And Sensory Overload, an examination of why our prehistoric brains are ill-equipped for the constant bombardment of modern technology. Richard's unique lens - a fusion of neurological insight and storytelling - reveals how our brains, still operating on Stone Age instincts, are no match for the addictive design of our devices. He explains the science behind behaviors many of us dismiss, such as our inability to put down our phones or stop scrolling, linking these behaviors to the brain's limited bandwidth and the mechanics of positive intermittent reinforcement (think slot machines in your pocket). As someone who helped reintroduce synesthesia to mainstream science, Richard also connects these findings to larger societal implications, questioning how technology influences not only our attention but also our ability to interact meaningfully with others. Richard’s deep dives into the science of human attention, working memory, and our psychological relationship with technology offer practical wisdom and fascinating insights. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so hard to put your phone down - or how we can reclaim our focus and connection in the digital age - this is for you. Enjoy the conversation...
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to Synesthesia. (11:46) - The Impact of Screens on Our Brains. (25:14) - Understanding Attention and Energy. (39:45) - Navigating Digital Addiction. (55:50) - The Future of AI and Human Interaction.
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast 
