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.

How to get this episode:

• Buy audio mp3 for $3.

• Episode Transcript [Buy for $1]

• Premium Subscribers have unlimited access to all old episodes and transcripts.

• New episodes of the Brain Science Podcast are always FREE. The most recent 6 years of content is free. See the individual show notes for links the audio files.

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.

Announcements

• I will be speaking at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Humanist Association, which is scheduled for May 7-10, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. Click here to Learn more.

• I have recently updated my other website at virginiacampbellmd.com and I would appreciate your feedback.

• Reminder: the 25 most recent episodes of the Brain Science Podcast are always free, but Premium subscribers have unlimited access to all back episodes and transcripts. The Brain Science Podcast Mobile App is FREE. It is a great way to consume both free and premium content (since this will not appear in iTunes or other podcasting apps).

• Please share your feedback about this episode by sending email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com or going to the Brain Science Podcast Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com. You can also post to our fan pages on Facebook or Google+. I am looking for help with these community pages so please email me at brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com if you are interested.