Laura Otis

Laura Otis, a neuroscientist-turned-literary scholar, explores how metaphors shape human emotions in her insightful work. She discusses the cultural influences that stigmatize feelings like self-pity and anger, drawing connections from classic literature to modern media. The conversation dives into how societal norms dictate emotional expression and regulation, particularly for marginalized groups. Otis uses literary characters from Dostoevsky to modern films to illustrate the tensions between personal feelings and cultural expectations, revealing the political nature of emotion.

Laura Otis, a neuroscientist-turned-literary scholar, dives into her transformative work, "Banned Emotions: How Metaphors Can Shape What People Feel." She explores how metaphors like "hold on" and "let go" influence our emotional experiences. Interestingly, she critiques societal norms that stigmatize certain feelings like self-pity and anger while examining literary characters from classics to popular films. Otis argues that emotional expression is not just personal but also a political issue, affecting who can feel what, when, and how.