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Nature, Brain, and Culture

Although many neuroscientists are trying to figure out how the brain works, Mark Changizi is bent on determining WHY it works that way.

Education
For Better Science Education, STEM Must Die

Mark Changizi on January 5, 2012

The best medicine for propelling a young soul into a successful middle-aged academic is this: a romantic, nearly religious, zeal for comprehending the universe.

The best medicine for propelling a young soul into a successful middle-aged academic is this: a romantic, nearly religious, zeal for comprehending the universe.

Cognition
Language, and How to Have a Fair Fight with a Chimpanzee

Mark Changizi on December 15, 2011

Could language seem like an instinct without actually being one? Yes, if it culturally evolved to sound just like what our non-language brain already knew how to process.

Could language seem like an instinct without actually being one? Yes, if it culturally evolved to sound just like what our non-language brain already knew how to process.

Cognition
Are Pruney Fingers Human Rain Treads?

Mark Changizi on October 20, 2011

Pruney fingers don't just have any old wrinkles. They're special. They're just what's needed if they're...primate rain treads.

Pruney fingers don't just have any old wrinkles. They're special. They're just what's needed if they're...primate rain treads.

Environment
Can Art and Brain Be Put Together?

Mark Changizi on April 5, 2011

What initially looks like neuroscientific principles being used to explain artistic phenomena is, more commonly, suspect brain principles being used to explain artistic phenomena that may not exist.

What initially looks like neuroscientific principles being used to explain artistic phenomena is, more commonly, suspect brain principles being used to explain artistic phenomena that may not exist.

Creativity
The Web Is Not a Gadget

Mark Changizi on March 25, 2011

The web hasn't been designed to do anything, and so it doesn't do anything, much less anything smart, creative, or suggesting awareness... and Jaron Lanier.

The web hasn't been designed to do anything, and so it doesn't do anything, much less anything smart, creative, or suggesting awareness... and Jaron Lanier.

Cognition
The Problem With the Web and E-Books Is That There’s No Space for Them

Mark Changizi on February 7, 2011

Libraries and books -- the real, physical ones -- harnessed our evolved powers of navigation, and were profitable extensions of our brains. The web and today's e-books, on the other hand, have given up on navigability. Evolutionary cognitive scientist Mark Changizi asks, "Have the web and e-books given up on brains?"

Libraries and books -- the real, physical ones -- harnessed our evolved powers of navigation, and were profitable extensions of our brains. The web and today's e-books, on the other hand, have given up on navigability. Evolutionary cognitive scientist Mark Changizi asks, "Have the web and e-books given up on brains?"

Philosophy
How to Write a Popular Science Book

Mark Changizi on September 2, 2010

I once had the chance to chat with John Brockman, agent to the science stars (like Dawkins and Pinker). Here's what I gleaned.

I once had the chance to chat with John Brockman, agent to the science stars (like Dawkins and Pinker). Here's what I gleaned.

Cognition
Stephen Pinker's Miracle of Language...and Writing?

Mark Changizi on August 17, 2010

Reading has the same "instinct smell" as speech and music, but there's no reading instinct. Perhaps the story of the origins of writing is also the story of the origins of speech and music.

Reading has the same "instinct smell" as speech and music, but there's no reading instinct. Perhaps the story of the origins of writing is also the story of the origins of speech and music.