Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

Neuroscientist David Eagleman and composer Anthony Brandt explore creativity, AI's impact, cultural evolution of ideas, and human brain processes. They discuss blending diverse elements, intersection of art and technology, human potential, therapy, and compare human vs. AI creativity.

Exploring the intersection of neuroscience and the legal system, the podcast discusses the challenges of using brain scans to measure pedophilia and detect lies. It also delves into the historical and cultural influences on courtroom procedures, raising ethical concerns about the reliability of new technologies like brain scans in legal settings.

Exploring AI intelligence and sentience, challenges in understanding human consciousness, humor, and literature. AI limitations in image recognition and assessing true intelligence. Discussing AI's potential for scientific discoveries and the boundaries of scientific exploration.

Delving into the importance of touch in human perception, the podcast explores topics like the role of touch receptors, pain perception, and the significance of touch in brain function. It discusses curious sensations like why a cold pool feels warmer the second time and the different experiences of stubbing your toe. Touch's impact on relationships, mental health, and cultural differences in communication is also examined in a lively and informative manner.

Explore the possibility of learning to fly a helicopter instantly by uploading instructions to your brain. Discuss the implications of bypassing traditional education systems and modifying brain structure. Delve into the societal impacts of this technology and the complexities of brain manipulation. Reflect on the uncertainties of society's technological future and the rapid evolution driven by artificial intelligence.

Explore the brain's perception of self, from trillions of cells forming a single identity to how psychedelics, trauma, synchronized movements, and military formations shape our sense of self. Delve into the fluidity of identity, how external factors like drugs and disorders impact it, and how disruptions in brain networks affect our physical self and location. Discover how the brain extends the boundaries of self to include external objects and tools, expanding the concept of identity. Learn how synchronization in activities like religious rituals and group events forms a sense of unity and belonging.

Conflict researcher Jonathan Stray discusses the neuroscience of conflict, societal polarization, social media's role, and strategies for building bridges. Topics include tribalistic brains, political divides, identity influence, empathy, and constructive dialogues.

Can you become conscious inside a dream? Can a researcher convey information to a dreamer, and can the dreamer find some way to answer back? Does 10 seconds inside a dream equal 10 seconds in real life? Could taking a drug inside a dream give you a placebo effect? Can you prompt your brain like a large language model? And if so, what would you pose to your unconscious brain? Join David Eagleman and guest Jonathan Berent to discover the what, why, and how of lucid dreaming.

Discover the mysteries of dreams, from their bizarre nature to their cultural influences. Explore the theories behind dreams, the evolution from black and white to color, and the impact of media on dream experiences. Learn about the potential connection between schizophrenia and dreaming, and the future possibility of decoding dreams with machine learning.

Discover why we spend so much time asleep, the impact of sleep deprivation, circadian rhythms, polyphasic sleep, and the importance of dreaming. Learn about the mysteries of sleep disorders, extreme sleep deprivation, and the fascinating world of dreams and lucid dreaming.