Daniel Yon

Cognitive neuroscientist Daniel Yon, director of the Uncertainty Lab at Birkbeck University, discusses how our brains actively invent reality, rather than simply perceiving it. He reveals that perception is a predictive process, likening the brain to a scientist interpreting sensory data. Yon explores the evolutionary advantages of this predictive nature and how our perceptions can sometimes misalign with reality, potentially influencing mental health. His insights challenge us to rethink how we understand both perception and the brain’s versatility.

In this enlightening discussion, Daniel Yon, a British neuroscientist and psychologist at Birkbeck College, shares insights from his book, 'A Trick of the Mind'. He reveals how our brains act like scientists, actively constructing realities instead of merely recording them. The conversation explores the impact of biases on rationality, the meeting point of human cognition and AI, and how psychedelics can alter our perception. Yon also examines the spectrum of mental health, emphasizing the intricacies of how we experience reality.

Daniel Yon, an experimental psychologist from Birkbeck, University of London and author of *A Trick of the Mind*, dives deep into how our brains shape our perception of reality. He explains how our minds operate like scientists, constructing theories based on past experiences. The discussion covers intriguing topics like the nature of hallucinations, how we perceive the emotions of others, and the complex interplay between identity and creativity. This exploration uncovers the fascinating ways our mental processes influence our understanding of the world and ourselves.