I’m feeling chaotic today…
Michael Merzenich, Brain Plasticity and Culture
Merzenich sits down to talk with Bruce Wexler, author of Brain and Culture, in this video
Sandra Aamot & Sam Wang, Computers vs. Brains
Key differences between the two, and why computers are not likely to “out think” humans as soon as some predict
Steve Ayan, How Humor Makes You Friendlier, Sexier
Scientific American on the benefits of humor and the latest scientific research on laughter
Pology Magazine – South America
Pology is an online magazine written by anthropologists acting much more as journalists. These are first-person snippets of fieldwork and local life from around the globe, as well as photo essays. While the whole world is covered, I picked the continent of Colombia to highlight.
Vaughan Bell, On the Frontiers with the Neural Gene Mappers
Mind Hack on the new Wired article – includes this great placement of research into context: “As far as we know, all learning in the brain happens through proteins, meaning that experience, learning, thought, motivation – or any other ‘psychological level’ process we can think of, acts through the many, complex and not fully understood regulation processes.”
Abnormal Interests, Follow the Leader
Chimpanzees versus humans – the importance of cultural imitation for us. Quite a good video. See also Afarensis, where there was some interesting discussion.
Neuroanthropology 