The Tim Ferriss Show #674
This is an AI-generated podcast summary for The Tim Ferriss Show

Neuroscientist David Eagleman

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Short Summary 🏎️

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In the latest episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tim Ferriss interviews neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author David Eagleman.

They discuss a range of topics, from synesthesia to the potential of brain-machine interfaces and the ethical implications of such technology.

They also discuss the future of technology and how AI and machine learning can be used for useful applications, such as helping people with autism understand social context.

They also discuss memory and recall, and how memories can be accessed in certain states, such as deep ketosis.

Finally, they discuss the concept of "infotropism," the neural correlates of consciousness, and the importance of brain plasticity in dreaming.

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Key Learnings 🎯

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• Synesthesia is a condition where the senses are mixed, with about 3% of the population having some form of it.

• Neo Sensory is a startup that aims to create devices that can help people with sensory impairments.

• Water can be tested for drinkability in the microwave range.

• AI and machine learning can be used for useful applications, such as helping people with autism understand social context.

• Memory in the human brain is a complex process that involves moving memories around and re-consolidating them after they are taken out of long-term storage.

• Dreaming is the visual system's way of fighting back to keep its territory during the night when the planet rotates into darkness.
  Francis Crick was an influence of Eagleman's, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.

• Eagleman's "lazy Susan method" is his approach to managing his busy schedule.

• AI will change the way we work and live, but it will also create new opportunities for creativity and innovation.
  Eagleman's "possibilian" philosophy encourages people to embrace uncertainty and explore new possibilities.

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If you have 6 more minutes 🏖️

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In the latest episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tim Ferriss interviews David Eagleman, a neuroscientist, New York Times best-selling author, and Guggenheim fellow. They discuss a range of topics, from synesthesia, a condition where the senses are mixed, to the potential of brain-machine interfaces and the ethical implications of such technology. Eagleman explains that synesthesia is quite common, with about 3% of the population having some form of it. He also talks about his work in neurotech and his startup, Neo Sensory, which aims to create devices that can help people with sensory impairments.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of creating new senses for humans. Eagleman describes his work in developing a vest with vibratory motors that can capture sound and turn it into patterns of vibration on the skin, allowing deaf people to learn to hear through their skin. He also explains how he shrunk the technology down to a wristband that can help with age-related hearing loss and tinnitus.

The discussion then moves to the different parts of the spectrum and how we can detect them in our daily lives. Eagleman gives an example of how his colleagues discovered that water can be tested for drinkability in the microwave range. They also discuss the future of technology and how AI and machine learning can be used for useful applications, such as helping people with autism understand social context. They also discuss the possibility of using AI to develop a direct perceptual experience of economic movements.

The conversation then shifts to memory and recall, and how memories can be accessed in certain states, such as deep ketosis. Eagleman explains that memory in the human brain is a complex process that involves moving memories around and re-consolidating them after they are taken out of long-term storage. He also discusses the myth-making nature of memory and how memories can drift over time, even for highly emotional events like 9/11.

Eagleman shares his insights on the neural correlates of consciousness and the importance of brain plasticity in dreaming. He explains that dreaming is the visual system's way of fighting back to keep its territory during the night when the planet rotates into darkness.

Eagleman also shares his influences, including Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA. He credits his success to a mentor who showed him that he didn't need to fit the stereotype of a scientist and could still be physically fit and well-rounded. He also discusses his favorite failures, including the rejection of his first book, which he wrote over seven years.

Ferriss asks Eagleman for advice on time management and life prioritization for a promising postdoc with a for-profit company. Eagleman shares his approach to managing his busy schedule, which he calls the "lazy Susan method." He explains that he keeps a mental "lazy Susan" in his prefrontal cortex, which he spins to work on different projects when he starts to slow down or get stuck. He also shares his weekly schedule, which includes work meetings, lectures, and writing projects.

Eagleman discusses his concept of "infotropism," which refers to the brain's constant reconfiguration of its circuitry to maximize the information it receives from the world. He gives examples such as the motion after effect and the brain's ability to adjust to changes in color perception. Eagleman also talks about his book, "The Brain: The Story of You," and how it explores the plasticity of the brain and how it is shaped by culture and society.

Ferriss and Eagleman then discuss the future of neuroscience and the need for better technology to measure the spiking activity of every neuron in the brain. They also touch on the importance of uncertainty in science and how the scientific method is always willing to knock down its own walls. Eagleman emphasizes the need to avoid pretending certainty on things and to remain open to new discoveries and ideas. They discuss the concept of possibility-ism, which is about avoiding committing to something with certainty if you don't need to. They also talk about the issue of how completely we believe our internal models and how we can expand our perception by asking questions all the time and not taking our truths so seriously. Eagleman shares that he would put a billboard next to an elementary school or high school with the message "question your truth" to inspire young people to minimize their high conviction statements.

Ferriss and Eagleman also discuss Eagleman's upcoming book, "Empire of the Invisible," which is all about the stuff we don't see and don't understand and how we can expand our perception by asking questions all the time. Ferriss wonders if as more people learn about AI and large language models, they will become more aware of their own blind spots since we all have our own training data. However, Eagleman points out that we are still stuck in our internal walls, even if we learn new things from AI.

Eagleman also talks about his experiments on free fall and how people's perception of time during a scary event is a trick of memory. He explains that memory's job is to write down emotionally salient or informationally relevant events, and that seeking novelty and putting oneself in new situations can lead to richer memories and the perception of a longer life. The pandemic, according to Eagleman, has forced people to think about the world in a completely new way, challenging their internal models and potentially leading to a decline in dementia in the future.

The conversation then turns to the topic of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on society. Eagleman believes that AI will change the way we work and live, but he also thinks that it will create new opportunities for creativity and innovation. He emphasizes the importance of developing ethical guidelines for AI and ensuring that it is used for the benefit of humanity.

Ferriss and Eagleman also discuss the concept of time and how our perception of it affects our lives. Eagleman explains how the brain processes time and how our experiences of time can be altered by our emotions and experiences. He also talks about his work on the "possibilian" philosophy, which encourages people to embrace uncertainty and explore new possibilities. They also discuss the concept of "idiot hypotheses," or interesting but unproven ideas worth examining. Eagleman's new podcast, Inner Cosmos, is also mentioned.

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Some thought-provoking questions 🤔

 

1. What is the concept of infotropism discussed in the episode?

Infotropism is the concept that the brain has a tendency to seek out and absorb new information. It is the brain's way of reconfiguring its circuitry to maximize the information it receives from the world. This concept is discussed in the episode as a way of understanding how the brain is constantly trying to adapt and learn new things.

2. What is the "lazy Susan" method discussed in the episode?

The "lazy Susan" method is a way of managing a busy schedule, as described by neuroscientist David Eagleman in the episode. He explains that he keeps a mental "lazy Susan" in his prefrontal cortex, which he spins to work on different projects when he starts to slow down or get stuck. This method allows him to keep multiple projects and tasks in his mind, while also ensuring that he is able to focus on one task at a time.

3. What is the "possibilian" philosophy discussed in the episode?

The possibilian philosophy is a concept developed by neuroscientist David Eagleman to encourage people to embrace uncertainty and explore new possibilities. Eagleman explains that the possibilian philosophy is about being open-minded and willing to explore ideas that may not have been accepted in the past. He believes that this philosophy can help people move past their internal walls and push the boundaries of what is possible.

4. What is the "Five Bullet Friday" newsletter mentioned in the episode?

The "Five Bullet Friday" newsletter is a weekly email from Tim Ferriss. It highlights five products, books, or articles that Ferriss recommends to his readers. It is mentioned in the episode as a way for listeners to take advantage of discounts offered by two of his sponsors, Fury Clothing and Arrow Press. The newsletter also provides an opportunity for Ferriss to share his thoughts and opinions on various topics.