Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

Explore the fascinating world of memory and its reliability. Discover how narratives we tell ourselves can be reshaped and misremembered, influencing our identities. Delve into the powerful case of the Beatrice-6, where memory malleability led to wrongful convictions. Consider how technology alters our recollections and personal histories. Finally, reflect on the evolving nature of memory and how significant events can distort our sense of self. Prepare for a mind-bending journey through the intricacies of human memory!

David Eagleman, a renowned neuroscientist and expert in human memory and cognition, takes listeners on a thought-provoking journey into the nature of memory. He discusses how recollections, like medieval art of lions, can be distorted over time and shaped by cultural influences. The podcast dives into concepts like flashbulb memories and misinformation, revealing the role of external factors in altering our perceptions of significant events. Through compelling case studies, Eagleman unpacks the flawed yet fascinating dynamics of memory and its impact on our identities.

Discover why you suddenly notice things everywhere after seeing them just once. Explore the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon and how it relates to attention and memory. Uncover the science behind selective attention, using captivating examples like inattentional blindness from thrilling Olympic moments. Dive into the complexities of human perception, including cognitive biases and the intriguing ways our brains recognize patterns. Finally, unravel how psychological factors influence our interpretation of reality and the frequency illusion.

Dive into the fascinating world of speed and perception as discussed in this episode. Explore the disparity between human brains and computers, the illusion of objects created by spinning LED lights, and the hypothetical scenario of brains operating a trillion times faster. Discover how our perception of time and interactions with machines may evolve in the future.

Join David Eagleman and Max Bennett as they delve into the evolutionary journey of intelligence in the animal kingdom, highlighting the development of large brains in primates due to social complexities and the cognitive abilities of primates in determining hierarchy within societies. They also explore the concept of theory of mind in both primates and artificial intelligence, offering insights into the evolution of human language and the crucial role of mentalizing in effective communication.

Explore the human brain's fascination with conspiracy theories, examining origins, cognitive dissonance, storytelling, and group dynamics. Delve into the psychology and neuroscience behind conspiracy theories, linking them to cultural and neural phenomena. Analyze the allure of conspiracy theories in providing explanations for random events and the characteristics that make them compelling.

Magician Robert Strong and cognitive neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde discuss how magicians manipulate attention, deceive the brain, and create illusions. They explore the neuroscience behind magic tricks, highlighting attention manipulation, misdirection, and the collaboration between magic and neuroscience in studying perception and consciousness.

Join David Eagleman and cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot as they discuss why familiar things lose their shine over time. They explore concepts like habituation, repetition suppression, anticipation, and the value of variety in maintaining joy. Discover strategies to combat habituation and keep relationships, work, and daily experiences fresh and exciting.

Explore the brain's fascination with faces, from recognition to blindness. Learn about super recognizers and how computer algorithms perceive faces. Discover the challenges in facial recognition technology and the impact of diversity representation in media.

Israeli Maoz and Palestinian Aziz discuss rehumanizing the enemy and peacebuilding, sharing personal stories of pain and sorrow. They highlight the neuroscience of dehumanization, ingroups, outgroups, and the possibilities for repair and unity in conflict zones.