#674: Neuroscientist David Eagleman — Exploring Consciousness, Sensory Augmentation, The Lazy Susan Method of Extraordinary Productivity, Dreaming, Improving Hearing with a Wristband, Synesthesia, Stretching Time with Novelty, Lessons from Titans of Science, and Much More

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May 26, 2023

David Eagleman, a renowned neuroscientist, bestselling author, and TED speaker, dives deep into the mysteries of consciousness and perception. He discusses the captivating phenomenon of synesthesia and innovative sensory augmentation technologies that expand human experience. Eagleman explores the nature of memory's fragility and our understanding of dreams, revealing insights into brain plasticity and its implications. He also introduces the 'Lazy Susan Method' for productivity, emphasizing the brain's adaptable nature for mastering time.

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INSIGHT

Synesthesia and Reality

Synesthesia, affecting 3% of people, links stimuli like numbers to sensory experiences like colors.
This demonstrates how reality differs between individuals, with synesthetes often creating narrative landscapes for memorization.

INSIGHT

Sensory Substitution

The brain can process information from unusual sources; deaf people can 'hear' through vibrations on a vest.
This sensory substitution works because the brain correlates vibrations with other senses, like seeing a dog's mouth move.

ANECDOTE

Wristband for Sensory Substitution

Eagleman's team created a wristband, an improvement on their vest, that helps deaf people and those with tinnitus or age-related hearing loss.
The wristband uses machine learning to convey high-frequency sounds through vibrations, complementing remaining hearing.

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Sum

Forty Tales from the Afterlives

David Eagleman

The Bear

Andrew Krivak

In 'The Bear', Andrew Krivak tells the story of a father and daughter who are the last humans on Earth, living in harmony with nature in the shadow of a lone mountain. The father teaches his daughter essential survival skills, including fishing, hunting, and understanding the seasons and stars. After the father's death, the girl is guided back home by a bear, who embodies nature's wisdom and helps her navigate the wilderness. The novel is a tribute to the beauty of nature's dominion and reflects on themes of survival, loss, and the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world.

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

Invisible Cities

Italo Calvino

Invisible Cities is a novel by Italo Calvino that defies traditional narrative structures. The book revolves around the conversations between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan, where Polo describes 55 imaginary cities he encountered during his travels. These cities are not just physical places but also metaphors for human experiences, desires, and the passage of time. The novel explores themes of memory, place, and the subjective nature of experience, highlighting how our perceptions of cities and the world are shaped by our personal histories and biases. The cities described by Polo are often reflections of his home city, Venice, and serve as vehicles for Calvino's commentary on human nature, culture, and the limits of communication[1][3][4].

Incognito

The Secret Lives of the Brain

David Eagleman

In this book, renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman delves into the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate its surprising mysteries. He explores various aspects such as why your foot can move before you are consciously aware of danger, the brain's role in decision-making, and the implications of unconscious processes on our understanding of free will and the justice system. The book covers a wide range of topics including brain damage, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, making it a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind.

Beloved

Toni Morrison

Published in 1987, 'Beloved' is a work of historical fiction that delves into the aftermath of the American Civil War. The novel centers around Sethe, a Black woman who escaped from slavery in Kentucky and now lives in Ohio. However, her life is haunted by the ghost of her two-year-old daughter, whom she killed to prevent her from being taken back into slavery. The story is deeply intertwined with themes of mother-daughter relationships, the power of family and community, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and society. The novel introduces a mysterious figure named Beloved, who is the physical manifestation of Sethe's murdered daughter, and explores how this presence disrupts and ultimately transforms the lives of Sethe and her surviving daughter, Denver. Through a complex narrative that includes flashbacks, stream-of-consciousness monologues, and multiple voices, Morrison examines the trauma and resilience of those affected by slavery[2][3][5].

The 4-Hour Chef

The Simple Path to Cooking Like a Pro, Learning Anything, and Living the Good Life

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Chef', Tim Ferriss uses cooking as a vehicle to teach 'meta-learning', a step-by-step process for mastering any skill quickly. The book is divided into five sections: Meta-Learning, The Domestic, The Wild, The Scientist, and The Professional. It includes tips and stories from world-class chefs, athletes, and other experts, and focuses on overcoming common obstacles in learning and cooking. The book aims to make readers self-sufficient in the kitchen and in life, applying principles of failure points and margin of safety to ensure success.

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Gabriel García Márquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of seven generations of the Buendía family, founders of the fictional town of Macondo. The novel spans a hundred years of turbulent Latin American history, from the postcolonial 1820s to the 1920s. It is a tale of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of history, filled with magical realism that blends the supernatural with the ordinary. The story follows the family's experiences, including civil war, marriages, births, and deaths, and explores themes such as solitude, fate, and the inevitability of repetition in history. The novel is renowned for its narrative style and its influence on the literary movement known as the Latin American Boom[1][4][5].

Moonwalking with Einstein

The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

Joshua Foer

In 'Moonwalking with Einstein', Joshua Foer delves into the world of competitive memory sports and the science behind human memory. The book follows Foer's transformation from a journalist to a mental athlete as he trains for the USA Memory Championship. It explores historical and cultural aspects of memory, including ancient techniques like the 'method of loci' or 'memory palace', and discusses modern research on memory. Foer also interacts with renowned memory experts and savants, providing a comprehensive look at how anyone can improve their memory through specific techniques and practices.

Live Wired

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David Eagleman

Live Wired, by David Eagleman, delves into the brain's remarkable ability to adapt and rewire itself throughout life. Eagleman explores the plasticity of the brain, showcasing how experiences shape neural pathways and influence our perceptions. He examines various neurological conditions and how the brain compensates for damage or loss of function. The book highlights the brain's capacity for learning and growth, emphasizing the importance of neuroplasticity in personal development. Eagleman's engaging writing style makes complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience, inspiring readers to appreciate the brain's dynamic nature.

The Mind of a Mnemonist

A Little Book About a Vast Memory

A.R. Luria

Labyrinths

Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges's "Labyrinths" is a collection of his most celebrated short stories, showcasing his mastery of intricate plots and philosophical themes. The stories often explore the nature of reality, time, and identity, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Borges's unique style, characterized by its intellectual depth and playful use of metafiction, has had a profound influence on literature and popular culture. Many of his stories feature recurring motifs like libraries, mirrors, and labyrinths, symbolizing the complexities of human experience. His work continues to fascinate readers with its intellectual stimulation and imaginative power.

The Baron in the Trees

Italo Calvino

The Baron in the Trees tells the story of Cosimo Piovasco di Rondò, a young Italian nobleman who, after a family dispute, decides to live his life entirely in the trees. The novel follows his adventures, friendships, and romantic encounters as he navigates the world from his arboreal perspective. Italo Calvino masterfully weaves a tale that blends fantasy with historical realism, exploring themes of individualism and societal norms.

What Mad Pursuit

Francis Crick

In 'What Mad Pursuit', Francis Crick provides a candid and insightful look into his life and work, focusing on the discovery of DNA's double helix structure and his contributions to molecular biology. The book also explores his later work in neuroscience and offers reflections on the scientific method and discovery process.