On a talk by Baroness Freenfield, on the brain.

Dear Group,

Just watched this talk. I had to share it.
It encompasses many ideas. For those more interested in the Arts side, start at the 20th minute (approx.) onward.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/bigideas/browse/video_popup.htm?vidURL=/tv/bigideas/sto...

I had seen a previous talk by her, and wanted to discuss it on the ABC (Australian) discussion board (Not LT).

When someone said "...as soon as I saw the Title, Baroness, I refused to watch it..."

I responded by calling him "a fucking fool, the title is only an honour for her work".
My message was censured. I wonder why?

Well, I hope you enjoy it, and I would appreciate your thoughts.

Guido.

Oh Dear, The header should read "Greefield". I wish we had a minute or so after posting, to correct the "thread title".

I've watched about 1/2 and found the seminar very informative. Will forward it to my wife, who has been reading quite extensively about learning and brain "plasticity".

Hey, I almost missed this! Sounds interesting, I'll try to have a look this week-end.

Gave some thought to this and other matters that have come to my notice of late and posted about it on my blog:

http://cliffjburns.wordpress.com

Dear Cliff,

An existential crisis?

I have just "gorn" thru. 7 years of grieving (NOT over yet) These things seem to take time. And in the meantime I appear to have also aged. I was sure that only happened to "other" people, not ME, surely!

Well, Cliff, have you thought of writing under a pseudonym/nome de plume?
Thus you could "spill your guts out..." without your work coming back to bite you.
I love mixed metaphores.

You have also made me think of buying one of your books.
Any suggestions. I do like SF & Cinema Noir type Novels.
(Please name "your" favourite child..." who will then be dissected...)

Your mate,

Guido.

PS. I have a "crippled" baby Magpie, hopping around my yard at the moment.
Don't worry, it has been taken to the VET.
When I feel sorry for myself, I just look at the determination that little bird has to live, and my problems seem small.

Eh, life is one long crisis, then we die. And then, hopefully, someone explains everything to us. Using the heavenly equivalent of a "smart" board, a power point presentation as part of the orientation, just before they hand you your harp and send you out to get fitted for wings...

I always find this inspiring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-fX2F1BDEc

Oh Dear,

I expect "my" atheists to be "better spoken" than whot you lot is...

OK. Cliff, I did notice you DIDN'T mention which book/child you would like to sacrifice!
Had to edit, to add that bon mott.

G.

I finally watched the video, and oh my, there's a LOT to think about there. Thank you very much for posting this, I must confess that I had never heard of her before.

Guido:

In terms of my "children", I'd tackle some of the free stuff on my site first, see if my work suits you before you actually buy one of my books.

#9, until now I had never worries about who Susan Greenfield is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Greenfield,_Baroness_Greenfield

She has though, struck a cord with me. Although I can't believe there are "brilliant" people out there who are younger than me! :-) OK should'n have said that. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa to the n'th degree.

Guido.

PS. Cliff. Where is the best place to look for your works? I feel that you did write some sort of "noir" novel recently, or is that just my imagination going...?

There's lots o' free fiction on my blog. Just use "Cliff Burns" or "Beautiful Desolation" as your search terms and you'll get there. There's also a link to my site on my LibraryThing "Profile" page. Cheers.

Did anyone happen to note the books and authors Baroness Greenfield recommended?

13: sorry, not me. I don't really remember her citing any books except her own, lol.

I've been thinking about this and doing a little (very little) research, and I would take what she says with a grain of salt. Although she certainly asks questions worth asking, she doesn't seem to have a very scientific approach to solving them. Instead she is using her authority as a scientist to push opinions that are based more on emotional than rational thought processes.

Although she is being honest about this, the end result is still that certain types of media will take shortcuts and simplify her questions into statements like "renowned brain scientist says the Internet will fry your brain". I don't think any responsible scientist should play that game.

#14 - Yes I did find some criticism of her for not providing hard evidence - notably by Ben Goldacre (Bad Science), whose criticism, to be fair, she did mention.