Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

Grasping the concept of the mind is difficult, and researchers in fields like psychology and neuroscience are constantly trying to understand how people's minds work. At USC last year, neuroscientists were able to construct a map of neuron "communication highways" in the brain, which included not only the geography of these paths, but the interactions between different paths that are crucial to brain functions (Thomas). To do this, they used a technique called diffusion tensor imaging, resulting in the following map: 

Despite the amount of research we've collected on the brain, there is still so much we don't know. Since our minds are so closely connected to our identities, neuroscience has become integrated into pop culture, forming a "neuroculture" (Neuroscience-pt1.mov). Artist Suzanne Anker and neuroscientist Giovanni Frazzetto, who have published articles about neuroculture, believe that neuroscience is actually influencing societal values, as people try to understand what gives us individuality and purpose in life (Frazzetto). Many times, people seek to understand so they can alter their behavior on a neurobiological level. This idea, which really took off in the sixties, is dependent on how much of the brain we can manipulate (Bell).

The film Memento revolves around Leonard, a man who has short-term memory loss as a result of a brain injury. Without the ability to make new memories, he has to continuously take notes on his whereabouts and actions to prevent becoming lost in his own life. The movie definitely brings up the connection between one's mind and one's purpose in life. If someone forgets every action or event in his life, is there still a purpose to his life?

Memento Trailer

One TV show that tries to educate the public on the brain is Brain Games (which airs on National Geographic). Each episode has a different topic, like "Laws of Attraction" or "Power of Persuasion", and neuroscientists come on set to explain the topic through interactive activities (Brain Games). The show seems to be really entertaining, and I think it's a great way to bring neuroscience to the public. 

Brain Games - Laws of Attraction

Notably, it keeps everything factual, which isn't always the case in films or fictional TV shows. As neuroculture becomes more prevalent, people will learn more about their minds and individuality. If the truth is stretched for entertainment purposes, though, the knowledge that the public picks up might be skewed as well. It's important to maintain that balance between creative freedom and factual accuracy, but that's tough to do.

Works Cited

Bell, Vaughan. "The History of the Birth of Neuroculture." Mind Hacks. N.p., 09 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 May 2015.

"Brain Games." National Geographic Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

"Brain Games - Laws of Attraction. YouTube. N.p., 25 Mar. 2008. Web. 17 May 2015.

Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. "Neuroculture." Nature Reviews Neuroscience Nat Rev Neurosci 10.11 (2009): 815-21. Web.

Memento Trailer. YouTube. N.p., 25 Mar. 2008. Web. 17 May 2015.

Neuroscience-pt1.mov. Dir. Victoria Vesna. YouTube. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web. 17 May 2015.

Thomas, Ben. "Brain-Wide Map of "Neural Highways" Is First of Its Kind."Scientific American Global RSS. Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 May 2015.

Van Horn, John D. Scaffold2. Digital image. Scientific American Global RSS. Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 May 2015.