Connected: The Fascinating Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Author’s Note: Article originally published in BrainWorld Magazine. Technology has always feared and fascinated people. Revered for its role in shaping society and improving lives - feared for the same reasons. As neuroscience evolves, and technology alongside it, both invasive and noninvasive techniques will be used to view the brain, treat illness, and even enhance … Continue reading Connected: The Fascinating Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Cool Head, Open Heart: How Bodily Awareness Increases Empathy

Author’s Note: Article originally published in BrainWorld Magazine. Many phrases and metaphors relate to the heart and the brain: “Follow your heart.” “Mind over matter.” “He has a cold heart.” “She has a steel mind.” This sometimes makes it seem that the heart and the brain are separate, each living in its own world, without … Continue reading Cool Head, Open Heart: How Bodily Awareness Increases Empathy

Refugee Status and the Human Brain

Author's Note: Article originally published in BrainWorld Magazine. Like blood from a wound, refugees pour out of the war-torn nation of Syria. And while international conversation centers on the social and economic toll refugees may have on their adopting countries, very little has been said about how immigration and refugee status may affect the human … Continue reading Refugee Status and the Human Brain

Technology and the Human Brain

My original article can be found on BrainWorld Blog. Being wired to technology isn’t necessarily good for our neural wiring. Multitasking—which many people think they do well—is not healthy for neural efficiency. With each task switch, there is a cost, which makes our brains less efficient, and depletes nutrients more readily than if we concentrated on … Continue reading Technology and the Human Brain

Computational Neuroscience/Neural Engineering

As I explore more of what I want to (computational neuroscience, neural engineering, software engineering, etc.) I'm finding out more about what can be done with what degrees. I really am finding myself interested in the idea of building things: not just software, but AI, neurorobotics, etc. I assume these all need PhDs. But in … Continue reading Computational Neuroscience/Neural Engineering

Why clowns and dolls are so creepy: the uncanny valley

With their painted red cheeks, their black-lined eyes, and big red nose, clowns are some of the creepiest things in existence. And what of Chucky and his beloved bride, or Annabelle on her rocking chair. Also creepy. But what makes them so? What is it about clowns, or dolls, or even androids that make people … Continue reading Why clowns and dolls are so creepy: the uncanny valley

List o’ Books: Neuroscience and Neurological Illness

A Striped Armchair

photo credit

On my post about preferring booklists to challenges last week, Laura answered my call for booklist requests. She said:

Your post asking about topics for booklists got me thinking…I work as an editor at a non-profit professional association that supports neurologists. We have a number of staff but no neurologists that actually work for the association. Much of the work that we do directly affects neurologists and the patients they care for, but many staff members don’t have direct experience with neurology or neurological illness. I have recently started a book club for staff members to become more familiar with these issues. […]We recently had our first meeting, where we discussed “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Oliver Sacks. I am looking for other books (either fiction or nonfiction) that deal with neurological illness in some way. Some ideas that I’ve had so far:…

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