My Neurons, My Self

With ever more refined techniques for measuring complex brain activity, scientists are challenging the understanding of thought, memory and emotion–what we have traditionally called “the self.” How do electrical and chemical currents translate to self-awareness? And why does the brain produce consciousness at all? Join a discussion among eminent neuroscientists, philosophers and psychologists who are redefining what it means to be human.

This program is part of the Big Ideas Series, made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.

Original Program Date: June 5, 2016
MODERATOR: Bill Blakemore
PARTICIPANTS: Martha Farah, Joy Hirsch, Jesse Prinz, Daphna Shohamy

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for all the latest from WSF.

Bill Blakemore's Introduction 00:00

Where Do You Locate Your Sense Of Self 4:30

Participant Introductions 8:20

Is there a Neurobiology of collective consciousness? 12:22

What happens when two brains are in a dialog with each other 17:00

How do brains differ from texting vs. face to face 21:38

What is TBJ? 25:40

What is the difference between awareness and attention? 26:09

How does memory define "self" 32:48

We make decisions NOT base on our experiences but based on our memories 41:15

When memories go does self go as well? 47:29

How human taste dictates our social groups 56:23

How actively we interrogate and seek information from others 1:02:26

What is Neuroskepticism? 1:09:35

Can we make determinations that consciousness is connected to the physical? 1:14:35

If we made a human clone would it have the same mind? 1:23:40

What does neuroscience have to say about freewill? 1:26:50

What parts of the brain are active while experiencing morality? 1:31:18

What is the connection between PTSD and the experience of memory? Can your brain be rewired? 1:34:14

[jonwatts]

I love the WSF so much. Thank you to everybody that participates in putting these videos on YouTube. I may never get to go in person so it's nice to be able to take it in at home.

[parusudi]

One of the greatest panels on this show. Bill Blakemore is a most enchanting host.

[moiquiregardevideo]

We live in the present only. The past is represented by our distorted memories. My memory is what makes myself different from anybody else. If my memory get erased, I die (Short Circuit 2). However, it could be not that bad if I can learn the same thing in a shorter time.
It is refreshing to hear so many people who bring their own opinion in a complementary way. The questions are pertinent and help the conversation to progress.

[Inertia]

My self is whatever I am experiencing in this moment. Weather or not I have memory of my past, or anxieties about the future. It consists of all that adds up to the moment that I am currently in.

[TheChetaChannel]

I feel it is always nicer when we hold space to contemplate before dishing out our opinions or other products as answers to questions. We all seem to be prepossessed with the desperation to prove ourselves from a sense of importance perhaps due to the many things we have learnt that we do not allow the space for the truth to be channeled through us.

[GalenMatson]

I love Joy Hirsch, she's so energetic I could tell she is excited about her research!

[Yodadrinkzoda]

This is inspiring, and I can't wait till I get to study stuff like this, hopefully it'll get more attention. Thanks, world science festival, for creating and sharing this deep discussion.

[vFly]

5 years later, you need to do this again and update us

[lunaticairina]

I love the humor of bright minds! I love WSF!
Thank you humbly for all the knowledge that you, so kindly are making accessible to all of us! WSF is way more than a brick in the path for a better world.

[LCbrj]

Wonderful beautiful talk about who we are ... I think all of us are fascinated with who we are...this made me appreciate the ingredients of what we are made of...

[YashoShasho]

We should also discuss how hormones affect how the brain works. For example how testosterone and estrogen effects how humans behave. Also there is oxitocin and how that rewards the brain for socializing which is key to our survival as a species.

[LunaRoseStarLight]

Will we ever understand the mind? I don't see that happening my life time but I do think we are in the begining of understanding. And that is progress in our evolution itself ! We as "human beings" are ever evolving and how we think and understand "self" will ever be changing as we all evolve into our true self. Knowledge is power and understanding others is huge in knowing ourselves, but the first steps are now in place I believe by just accepting a different way of understanding. Opening answers to our mind begins inside each of us but by starting to see another's belief as well as our own will allow so many more new answers! We may not be completely doomed yet as human beings, we may still be able to actually come back to we are all one consciousness connected in so many more ways than we ever thought possible!!

[LeonGalindoStenutz]

The way the forum starts -- this is almost exactly the dialogue exploding in my own mind all the time ... mySelf / self ... 'I' ... 'i'... mind ... consciousness ... soul ... self ... pneuma ... psyche ... meaning ... words ... Me <> You (= me for 'you' and you for 'me' ) ... brain science ... neuroscience ... mysticism ... meditation ... inner & outer universes ... mind ... innerspaces / outerspaces / interspaces ... reality ... realities ...

[bhuvaneshwarjoshi]

Role of concept design models is important in understanding brain mind interface.

[peterlloyd]

I suffer PTSD from early childhood sexual abuse and am currently learning to re-complete myself without insecurities. THAT IS PRESENTING MORE N MORE TRIGGERS THOUGH AND UNEXPLAINABLE SYNCHRONICITIES.

[miguelrosado]

We are a brain, the stuff that we think to be ourselves (I, me, thinker, lover, etc.) are tools/creations of the brain. Nature created quantum intelligence and we are it. The brain is using all available information (conscious and subconscious) to output it’s will, we are the conduit for the conscious output of the brain.

[peterlloyd]

I'm of the opinion that the legal system and how that may negatively affect people is a reason for the reluctance to cooperate and deeply study and/or encourage neuroscience.

[nannawalling]

Incredibly fascinating! I use wave sounds in meditation and for stress reduction. I think this is so helpful that you have these symposiums. Thank you so much!

[postables]

You aren't who you think you are. You are who you know you'll become someday.

[seethade]

Consciousness is the fundamental existence from this self, mind .particle with different vibrations and identifying as different from consciousness itself