Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

Explore the fascinating puzzle of selfhood and continuity in a constantly changing body. The ship of Theseus sparks a debate on identity amidst cellular turnover. Delve into how memories can shift our perception of self, revealing the instability of personal recollections. Consider thought experiments about age in an afterlife and the peculiar End-of-History illusion that leads us to underestimate future changes in beliefs and preferences. Join a journey through the fluid nature of identity and how we navigate our future selves.

Explore how medieval artwork misrepresented lions, revealing insights about memory construction. David Eagleman discusses the 'telephone game' analogy, illustrating how memories distort over time. Discover the impact of cultural schemas on narrative recall and the role of interference from new memories in memory fading. Hear about studies on eyewitness suggestibility and the surprising reliability of flashbulb memories like those from 9/11. The conversation dives into how these memory drifts affect our identities and personal narratives.

Joshua Greene, a Harvard psychologist and philosopher, dives into the intricacies of moral judgment. He explores why our instincts clash with modern dilemmas like pandemics and AI, shedding light on moral decision-making. Greene discusses how emotional impulses often override rational choices, using examples like trolley problems. He introduces 'moral technologies' designed to enhance charitable giving and discusses Tango, a game intended to reduce political polarization. This conversation reveals how understanding our moral brains can lead to more effective collective actions.

Behavioral economist Dan Ariely, known for his groundbreaking work on irrationality, dives into the fascinating world of misbelief. He discusses how misbeliefs can provide comfort amidst chaos and reveals the psychological ingredients behind their adoption, including stress and social factors. Ariely shares personal experiences that ignited his research and emphasizes the dangers of confirmation bias. He also proposes solutions for combating misinformation, advocating for intellectual humility over media literacy as a means to foster understanding and trust.

Andrew Mayne, a novelist, inventor, and former prompt engineer at OpenAI, explores the evolving role of humans in an AI-driven economy. He discusses how AI could redefine jobs, emphasizing the unique human qualities of trust and authenticity. Mayne highlights the shift from standardized roles to new types of work arising from technology. They also examine the impact of AI on fields like science and entertainment, arguing that personal stories and lived experiences will remain valuable. Finally, Mayne shares insights for students navigating the AI landscape.

Society's polarization can be tackled through shared goals, as seen in the New Deal and Apollo program. Natural disasters prompt cooperation and empathy, while creating collaborative projects proactively can prevent discord. Reframing social media algorithms to highlight common interests offers a pathway to rehumanization. Engaging with stories can foster perspective-taking and empathy, important in bridging divides. Understanding moral frameworks can help navigate misunderstandings, paving the way for deeper connections.

Explore how propaganda connects across history and the medial prefrontal cortex's role in dehumanization. Delve into the recurring patterns of societal polarization from the Civil War to modern conflicts. Learn about the neurological underpinnings of in-group favoritism and the impact of education as a defense against propaganda. Discover how our brains respond to political identities and the potential for rewiring towards empathy and cooperation. This captivating discussion weaves together science, history, and human behavior in fascinating ways.

In this engaging discussion, psychologist Paul Bloom, a noted research professor at the University of Toronto, explores the complexities of utopia. He argues that our innate tribalism, jealousy, and preference for hierarchies make a perfect society elusive. Bloom reveals why struggles and scarcity can actually enrich meaning in our lives. He also highlights how legal frameworks can help counterbalance our biases while emphasizing gradual reform over radical change. Ultimately, he suggests that the pursuit of utopia should be viewed as a direction rather than a definitive endpoint.

In this captivating discussion, particle physicist Daniel Whiteson, author of *Do Aliens Speak Physics?*, delves into how alien senses might reshape scientific inquiry. He explores the idea of universal versus culturally shaped mathematics and how different intelligences might interpret fundamental truths. Whiteson also proposes an extended Drake equation for alien physics and examines the challenges of translating alien signals. With playful speculations on alien technology, he raises profound questions about our understanding of the universe and the nature of scientific progress.

In this discussion, neuroscientist Sergey Stavisky, co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab, explores groundbreaking brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). He explains how paralyzed individuals can control robotic arms and regain speech through brain signals. The conversation dives into ethical concerns surrounding privacy and data ownership, as well as future possibilities of reading covert thoughts. Stavisky also shares insights on the engineering challenges and advancements, predicting that BCIs for communication may become a reality in just five years.