Michael Shermer - The Moral Arc of Science
From NECSS 2013; Michael Shermer - The Moral Arc of Science
Duration: 32:41
via NECSS Conference.
Sometimes it’s good to give up the driver’s seat - Baba Shiv
Over the years, research has shown a counterintuitive fact about human nature: That sometimes, having too much choice makes us less happy. This may even be true when it comes to medical treatment. Baba Shiv shares a fascinating study that measures why choice opens the door to doubt, and suggests that ceding control — especially on life-or-death decisions — may be the best thing for us. (Filmed at TEDxStanford.)
via TED Education.
Leonard Mlodinow - Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Influences Your Behavior
From NECSS 2013; From your preference in politicians to the amount you tip your waiter, all your judgments and perceptions reflect the workings of your mind on two levels: the conscious, of which we are aware, and the unconscious, which is hidden from us. As a result, we often misperceive our relationships with friends, family, and business associates, misunderstanding the reasons for our personal feelings, investment decisions, and other important judgments. Dr. Mlodinow will talk about the revolution in the scientific understanding of the unconscious that has occurred in the past decade, and what it means for our lives.
Duration: 50:07
via NECSS Conference.
How do you know whom to trust? - Ram Neta
We believe a lot of things because we’ve been told - from our personal acquaintances and also experts. With so many belief systems being passed to us, how do we know whom to trust? Using contemporary examples, Ram Neta explains when listening to experts is a good idea…and when it’s not.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-you-know-whom-to-trust-ram-neta
via TED Education.
Point of Inquiry | Jared Diamond: How Immigration and Diversity Can Help Your Brain
Are there cognitive benefits of diversity? Being bi- or multilingual can affect the brain in important ways, says Jared Diamond.
This is an excerpt from a special episode of Point of Inquiry hosted by Chris Mooney and Indre Viskontas and featuring guest Jared Diamond, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel.
Diamond is Professor of Geography at the University of California, Los Angeles and has traveled extensively to New Guinea for his research. His observations there form the foundation of his new book, The World Until Yesterday: What We Can Learn from Traditional Societies, which is the subject of this interview.
Point of Inquiry is produced by Adam Isaak.
You can watch the full episode here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSh5sMtqick
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/jared_diamond_the_world_until_yesterday/
via Center for Inquiry.
Il sesto senso
Massimo Polidoro, ospite di “Doctor 2+” su Class MSNBC, parla del suo libro “Il sesto senso” e della psicologia dell’insolito.
via Video Polidoro.
Science Of Beauty: 4 Physical Traits That Help Define Female Facial Attractiveness
“Beauty” is how we appreciate the world. It’s what attracts us to each other, and quite frankly, scientists suggest it’s biologically advantageous. But what exactly makes something — or, better yet, someone — attractive?
Cognitive researchers Dr. Kang Lee and Dr. Pam Pallett claim to have found some key factors in determining how attractive a woman’s face may appear to others. They even suggested in a 2010 study that these keys to attractiveness include facial ratio, alluring features, and averageness.
Full transcript.
Why Companies Make Annoying Ads
Some advertisements are great, and others… well they can be downright annoying! Laci looks at the shocking prevalence of advertising in our daily lives and how obnoxious ads can actually be a boon for a company.
via DNews Channel.
The optimism bias - Tali Sharot
Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side — and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.
via TED Education.
Are Personality Tests Accurate?
Can you really put every person on the planet into neat little categories? That’s exactly what personality tests try and do and as Laci tells us, the results of those tests are having wide-ranging impacts on modern day life.
via DNews Channel.
A Week in Science with RiAus- 10 May 2013
A Week in Science is the science news brought to you by RiAus.
This week:
Brain Scans can identify psychopaths even in childhood
Climate change killed off megafauna
No, really- Don’t shop when you’re hungry
DNA reveals that most Europeans are closely related
Eco-friendly way for iron ore unveiled
Brain’s laughter response studied
Nurture, not nature, determines your personalityYou can follow A Week in Science throughout the week on Twitter, and join the discussion, by following the hashtag #weekinsci
For more information visit http://riaus.org.au/articles/a-week-in-science-10-May-2013/
via RiAus.
It’s Okay to be Smart - Why Music Moves Us
via jtotheizzoe:
Why does music make us feel happy or sad? Or angry or romantic? How can simple sound waves cause so much emotion?
First things first, this is the best t-shirt I’ve worn in any episode.
I went from my comfy chair to the streets of Austin to investigate whether it might be written into neural evolution. Modern neuroscience says our brains may be wired to pick certain emotions out of music because they remind us of how people move!
Humans are the only species we know that creates and communicate using music, but it’s still unclear how or why we do that, brain-wise. Is it just a lucky side effect of evolution, like Steven Pinker says? Or is it a deeper part of our evolutionary history, as people like Mark Changizi and Daniel Levitin argue?
Some brand new evolutionary psychology research says that we may read emotion in music because it relates to how we sense emotion in people’s movements. We’ll take a trip from Austin to Dartmouth to Cambodia to hear why music makes us feel so many feels. The connections between movement and music go far beyond dance moves!
Mike over at Idea Channel has a different opinion, that our emotional reactions to music are purely learned and cultural. Head on over and check it out. Do you agree?
For more reading on this awesome topic, check out these references.
Ladies Love Beards
For optimal sexiness, scientists say keep that 5’oclock shadow going! Anthony talks to Cristen Conger, host of “Stuff Mom Never Told You” to find out why beards are back and driving women crazy!
via DNews Channel.
Scientists Measure Fear Of Missing Out
Feeling like you’re missing out on something, like everyone else is doing something cooler than you, is a very real thing. It’s called FOMO, and now there’s a test to measure just how bad you may have it.
via DNews Channel.
Where is the Love? Three Theories on the Nature of Love
We are told so many different stories about the nature of love it is hard to make sense of them all. Is love found in brain chemistry? In various social conventions? In the individual, romantic heart? These stories all seem plausible, but also seem to conflict with each other. If love is in the brain, then anyone with a working brain should experience love regardless of their societies conventions. And if love is a social construction then no amount of neuroscience will ever be able to locate it. But then again, if love is really a matter of the individual’s personal relationship to their beloved, then we should look to the poets, not to neuroscientists or sociologists to truly understand love. Is it possible to reconcile these competing views of love? If we are to ‘find love’, we’d better know where to look.
A talk I gave at the Nammour Symposium at Sacramento State. If you want to see more videos from the Symposium, you can find them here: http://www.csus.edu/cppe/symposium/nammour_2013_Love.html
Duration: 25:28
via Sisyphus Redeemed.
