Breaking Down Barriers Through Skillful Conversation: Neuroscientist Shane O'Mara
Nov 6, 2023
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Neuroscientist Shane O'Mara discusses how conversation shapes our world. Topics include the role of conversation and memory in envisaging a better future, how countries are created by conversations, proven conversational tools to bridge gaps, the Hard Problem of Consciousness, and the power of conversation in promoting social change.
Nostalgia is often used as a political persuasion tool, appealing to people's selective and distorted memories of the past.
Countries are not inherent entities but are constructed through conversation and collective imagination.
The Hard Problem of Consciousness refers to the question of how consciousness arises from the physical processes of the brain.
Deep dives
Nostalgia and politics
Nostalgia is often used as a political persuasion tool, appealing to people's selective and distorted memories of the past. Leaders capitalize on the human tendency to look back through rose-tinted glasses, highlighting a bygone era and painting a picture of lost greatness. Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan tapped into this desire for restoration, while other politicians have used nostalgia to create a sense of unity among a group against perceived outsiders. However, it is essential to challenge these narratives and recognize the selective nature of memory, as well as the potential dangers of idealizing the past.
Memory and the creation of nations
Countries are not inherent entities but are constructed through conversation and collective imagination. Benedict Anderson's concept of imagined communities highlights the role of human imagination in forming nations, as it is impossible for individuals to know everyone in their country. Memory plays a crucial role in this process, as it allows us to recall and share past experiences, creating a shared narrative that binds communities together. The ability to engage in memory-driven imagination, particularly through conversation, is unique to humans and enables the creation and recognition of countries. However, it is crucial to recognize that these imagined communities are fluid and can change over time.
The Hard Problem of Consciousness
The Hard Problem of Consciousness refers to the question of how consciousness arises from the physical processes of the brain. This problem, introduced by David Chalmers, suggests that scientists may never be able to fully explain the nature of conscious experiences, such as taste, love, or simple awareness. While consciousness is closely tied to brain activity and correlations can be observed, the actual mechanism behind the generation of conscious experiences remains elusive. The definition and understanding of consciousness itself can be complex, with debates surrounding the nature of personal experiences and self-awareness. The topic of consciousness continues to be an area of active research and philosophical inquiry.
Recognizing the Arbitrary Nature of Nations and Borders
The podcast discusses the arbitrary nature of nations and borders, drawing parallels to the equator that is an idea but not to be taken literally. Borders have two sides, and people on the other side may have different perspectives. The example of passing through the US border in Dublin highlights the movable nature of borders. The speaker suggests that while borders can be useful constructs, they should not be taken too seriously.
Promoting Social Change through Conversation and Deliberation
The podcast explores methods for changing people's minds, such as deep canvassing and citizen assemblies. Deep canvassing involves engaging in meaningful conversations with individuals to address fears, misperceptions, and unexpressed concerns. Citizen assemblies facilitate dialogue, truth-finding, and consensus-building. By creating spaces for respectful conversation and active listening, social change can be promoted. The importance of rapport, conversation receptiveness, and active listening in criminal investigations, business matters, and doctor-patient relationships are also discussed as effective ways to understand and respect differing points of view.
The power of skillful conversation - from the personal to the global level.
This week's conversation is with professor Shane O'Mara, a neuroscientist of the top order who is professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin. He is also the author of Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversations Shapes Our World. Shane explains the role that conversation and memory has in our ability to envisage a better future.
We talk about lots in this episode including the difference between the narrative self - the 'story of me' made up of memories, beliefs and the like - and the 'aware self', which experiences the present moment directly. Most people identify with the former and not the latter - but is that really wise?
Shane also explains how countries are created by conversations, and are ideas rather than real entities, and he shares some powerful and proven conversational tools to bridge gaps, break down walls and dissolve the propensity some people have to dehumanize 'the other'. We also discuss the Hard Problem of Consciousness.
