The human brain—a sealed, isolated chamber—is "nature's perplexing masterpiece," a window to the outside world, and director of everything we do. This six-part PBS-aired miniseries, hosted by Dr. David Eagleman, takes viewers on a tour of the brain, the "ultimate storyteller." Electrochemical signals are the "common currency of the brain,” sorting streams of data in a "massive mind mash." Unlike other animals, humans are helpless at birth, but the brain relies on sensory information (smell, touch, seeing, and hearing) to build a lifetime of experience. Eagleman notes that Romanian orphans who were forced to live their early years deprived of most sensory stimulation or human contact suffered ill effects that could persist years later. Humans are social animals, so the brain can provide tools for empathy, or succumb to the group contagion of hate, stereotyping, bullying, and even genocide. Other topics covered here include the teen brain and its struggle with impulse control; the automatic, unconscious actions of our brain; the question of free will; decision making; the importance of our "gut feelings"; memory; and aging. The final episode features speculation about the future, ranging from cryogenic "brain preservation" to the possibility that we may become non-biological beings in which our brains, if not our bodies, survive our death. Eagleman clearly and enthusiastically explains associated concepts, ranging from a boy's amazing ability to quickly perform intricate cup stacking, to how human desire for instant gratification can lead us to ignore dire consequences. Released in conjunction with Eagleman's companion book, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
The Brain
(2015) 2 discs. 360 min. DVD: $34.99 ($64.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-62789-470-8. Volume 31, Issue 2
The Brain
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