Future - Health - The neurons that shaped civilization. Synopsis Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran outlines the fascinating functions of mirror neurons. Only recently discovered, these neurons allow us to learn complex social behaviors, some of which formed the foundations of human civilization as we know it. Talk recorded 5 November 2009. About the Speaker VS Ramachandran is a mesmerizing speaker, able to concretely and simply describe the most complicated inner workings of the brain.
His investigations into phantom limb pain, synesthesia and other brain disorders allow him to explore (and begin to answer) the most basic philosophical questions about the nature of self and human consciousness. Ramachandran is the director of the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University of California, San Diego, US, and an adjunct professor at the Salk Institute. RSA Animate - Smile or Die. Myths about our minds.
8 November 2011Last updated at 00:29 By Andrew Luck-Baker Producer, Radio 4's Mind Myths The human brain is the most complex entity in the known universe and despite the best endeavours of scientists, there are still many mysteries about the 1.5kg (3.3lb) crinkled blob between our ears. Here are just a few of the many myths about our brains and how they work. The brain scan put pay to the myth we only use one 10th of our brains I remember first hearing that we used just a 10th of our brains in the 1970s when I was at school.
And how amazing, I thought, that there might be a way to unlock that whopping 90% of unused brain capacity. What would not be possible with all of my grey matter in action? It was nonsense back then, and technological leaps in brain scanning has now proved this for all to see. Even doing something simple, such as clenching your fist, uses much more than 10% of the brain. Anatomically, the brain is divided into two halves - the left hemisphere and the right one. Alison Gopnik: What do babies think?