Gresham College Lectures

Does having a big brain make your smarter? - Alain Goriely

Sep 20, 2024
Alain Goriely, a leading researcher in mathematical brain studies and Gresham Professor of Geometry, dives into the relationship between brain size and intelligence. He challenges the myth that bigger brains mean smarter minds, discussing how statistical methods can uncover deeper insights. The conversation covers historical contexts like phrenology, modern studies using MRI technology, and emphasizes the importance of neuron count over mere size. Through allometry and scaling laws, Goriely reveals the intricate connections between brain capacity, metabolic demands, and cognitive abilities across species.
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