Dialogues Lecture: Artist Chuck Close and the Science of Face Blindness

Chuck Close has face blindness, yet he paints portraits of the human face. Watch his Neuroscience 2012 talk to learn about the skill behind his art.

Driving While Distracted

In this lesson by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, students learn the likely causes of distracted driving and its possible effects.

Metacognition — I Know (or Don't Know) that I Know

At New York University, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Steve Fleming is exploring the neural basis of metacognition.

Attention: An Eye Opening Story

Each minute, more than 48 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube. With digital technology so commonplace, it is easy to drown in information. For researchers studying visual attention, however, this is an old story.

Sensory Illusions

Now you see it, now you don’t. Tricks and illusions are not just for magicians. Brain researchers use these tools to learn about sensory perception.

The Neuroscience of Decision Making

Researchers are beginning to decipher what happens in our brains when we make decisions. Three experts describe the genesis of this cutting-edge field and potential practical applications of this research.

About Face: How the Brain Recognizes and Processes Faces

Chuck Close, the keynote speaker at Neuroscience 2012, paints portraits of the human face, yet he has face blindness. Learn about the specialized circuits that distinguish faces.

Myth: Listening to classical music makes you smarter.

Blasting classical music hasn’t been shown to improve intelligence in children or adults.

Myth: You only use 10 percent of your brain.

You use all of your brain.

Decision-Making

Decision-making is such a seamless process we’re usually unaware of it — until our choice results in unexpected consequences. Then we wonder, “Why did I choose that option?”