In this enlightening discussion, guests include Anne Madden, a microbiologist passionate about the microscopic realm, and Lera Boroditsky, a cognitive scientist who explores how language shapes our thoughts. They delve into the revolutionary potential of plastic-eating microbes and the fascinating ecosystem within our bodies. Former educator YeYoon Kim emphasizes recognizing subtle cues in children, while Bart Weetjens shares innovative uses of trained rats for detecting landmines and tuberculosis, showcasing the power of tiny actions and creatures to spark significant change.

One of the oldest technologies we have is language. How do the words we use influence the way we think?The media can talk about immigrants scurrying across the border, versus immigrants crossing the border. Or we might hear about technology platforms censoring us, versus moderating content. If those word choices shift public opinion on immigration or technology by 25%, or even 2%, then we’ve been influenced in ways we can't even see. Which means that becoming aware of how words shape the way we think can help inoculate us from their undue influence. And further, consciously choosing or even designing the words we use can help us think in more complex ways – and address our most complex challenges.This week on Your Undivided Attention, we're grateful to have Lera Boroditsky, a cognitive scientist who studies how language shapes thought. Lera is an Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego, and the editor-in-chief of Frontiers in Cultural Psychology.Clarification: in the episode, Aza refers to Elizabeth Loftus' research on eyewitness testimony. He describes an experiment in which a car hit a stop sign, but the experiment actually used an example of two cars hitting each other.RECOMMENDED MEDIA How language shapes the way we thinkLera Boroditsky's 2018 TED talk about how the 7,000 languages spoken around the world shape the way we thinkMeasuring Effects of Metaphor in a Dynamic Opinion LandscapeBoroditsky and Paul H. Thibodeau's 2015 study about how the metaphors we use to talk about crime influence our opinions on how to address crime Subtle linguistic cues influence perceived blame and financial liabilityBoroditsky and Caitlin M. Fausey's 2010 study about how the language used to describe the 2004 Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" influence our views on culpabilityWhy are politicians getting 'schooled' and 'destroyed'?BBC article featuring the research of former Your Undivided Attention guest Guillaume Chaslot, which shows the verbs YouTube is most likely to include in titles of recommended videos — such as "obliterates" and "destroys"RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES Mind the (Perception) Gap: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/33-mind-the-perception-gapCan Your Reality Turn on a Word?: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/34-can-your-reality-turn-on-a-wordDown the Rabbit Hole by Design: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/4-down-the-rabbit-hole-by-design

Microbiologist Anne Madden, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky, former educator YeYoon Kim, and former industrial engineer and Zen Buddhist monk Bart Weetjens discuss the surprising strength of all things minuscule and fleeting. Topics include the presence of microorganisms on our faces, the impact of COVID on our understanding of microbes, the influence of language on perception and cognition, the power of independence, and the use of rats to clear landmines and detect tuberculosis.

Lera Boroditsky, an associate professor of cognitive science at UC San Diego, dives deep into how language influences thought, especially regarding time and space. She discusses how different cultures conceptualize time, revealing fascinating insights about our subconscious biases. Language can shape memory and perception, influencing our understanding of events. Lera also highlights the cognitive benefits of lifelong language learning and how cultural contexts alter our brain's frameworks, emphasizing the creativity unlocked through new linguistic experiences.

Cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky explores the fascinating ways language shapes our thoughts. She discusses how various languages influence perceptions of time and color, illustrated by an Aboriginal community that navigates using cardinal directions. Boroditsky highlights the richness of linguistic diversity, revealing that each of the 7,000 languages offers a unique cognitive perspective. Her insights showcase how language impacts our memory, spatial awareness, and emotional expressions, leading to a deeper understanding of human cognition.