BSP 117: Michael Gazzaniga "Father"of Cognitive Neuroscience
/Pioneering neuroscientist Dr. Michael Gazzaniga has written many wonderful books that share neuroscience with a general audience. In his latest book Tales from Both Sides of the Brain: A Life in Neuroscience he looks back on his 50+ year career from a uniquely personally vantage point. He shares the people and collaborations that have enriched his life and when I interviewed him for BSP 117 he said “My pitch to the young person is that there is nothing on this planet that compares to the pleasures of scientific discovery.” But he also emphasized the importance of finding a question that people really care about. "Is it a question anyone wants the answer to?" But the young scientist needs more than curiosity she also needs the impulse to question current explanations and the urge to find better answers.
This perspective enriched our discussion of the implications of split-brain research and the ongoing controversy over the implications of applying the principles of emergence to neuroscience. It is a conversation you won't want to miss.
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References and Links
Tales from Both Sides of the Brain: A Life in Neuroscience by Michael S. Gazzaniga (audible link)
Who's in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain by Michael S. Gazzaniga (Discussed in BSP 82)
The Mind's Past by Michael Gazzaniga
Interview with Dr. Brenda Milner (BSP 49)
Cognitive Dissonance with Dr. Carol Tavris (Books and Ideas #43)
Please see the episode transcript for additional links and references.
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