Michael Graziano

In this engaging discussion, Michael Graziano, a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Princeton, explores the brain's role in consciousness. He revisits his Attention Schema Theory, delving into how consciousness evolved and its moral implications, particularly concerning animal suffering. Graziano poses thought-provoking questions about human and animal consciousness, investigating the complex nature of pain perception and ethical dilemmas in farming practices. The conversation challenges conventional views on consciousness and highlights the need for empathy in our interactions with animals.

We have a new podcast! It’s called Universe Of Art, and it’s all about artists who use science to bring their creations to the next level. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Astronomers Spy A Two-Faced Star This week, astronomers report in the journal Nature that they’ve discovered a white dwarf—a dying star’s dense inner core—that, instead of being uniform in composition, has a surface that appears to be hydrogen on one face and helium on the other. The star rotates on its axis once every 15 minutes, bringing each face into view. Researchers spotted the unusual object with an instrument called the Zwicky Transient Facility, which initially singled out the star because of its rapidly changing brightness. The astronomers aren’t sure why the white dwarf, which they’ve nicknamed Janus after the two-faced Roman god, has this strange divided surface. Some possible theories include shifting magnetic fields which produce areas of different density, or that it’s a step in stellar evolution only partially complete. Tim Revell, deputy US editor at New Scientist, joins John Dankosky to talk about the two-faced star and other stories from the week in science, including the resignation of the Stanford University president amidst an ethics probe, discovery of ancient natural graphene, an earthworm invasion in the Arctic, and investigations of alcoholic fruit. How Does The Brain Control Your Every Move? As you read this, every small action your body makes—eyes scanning the page, fingers scrolling a mouse, scratching an itch on your face—must be dictated by your brain. These actions usually happen without a second thought. But inside the brain, the motor cortex is hard at work making the body move. For nearly a century, every neuroscience student came across the “homunculus”—a visual representation of which areas of the brain control certain body parts. But for the last few decades, some researchers have disputed this traditional view of brain mapping. This includes a recent study, led by Washington University in St. Louis. Joining guest host John Dankosky to discuss how the brain and body are connected are study lead author Evan Gordon, assistant professor of radiology at Wash U., and Michael Graziano, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute in Princeton, New Jersey. To stay updated on all-things-science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.   Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Anil Seth, Allison Duettmann, and Michael Graziano discuss the critical need for AI consciousness research. They delve into the challenges of understanding and developing conscious AI models, emphasizing the ethical implications and the importance of resources in this field. The experts explore various theories and existential risks associated with conscious AI, highlighting the necessity for humility in AI development.

Explore the power of storytelling in medical communication, comparing infectious disease specialists to James Bond's Q. Learn about the significance of narratives in shaping public perception of antibiotic innovation and resistance. Discover the emotional impact of films like 'Resistance' and 'Holobiome' in sparking discussions in healthcare.

Michael Graziano, a professor at Princeton University, dives into the intriguing world of consciousness. He discusses his Attention Schema Theory, revealing how our brains model attention to craft our conscious experience. The conversation explores the philosophical versus scientific approaches to understanding consciousness, and Graziano addresses the meta-problem surrounding it. They also touch on AI's relationship with consciousness and the fascinating links between creative expression in science, music, and literature, highlighting how emotions shape these disciplines.