VS Ramachandran: The neurons that shaped civilization

http://www.ted.com Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran outlines the fascinating functions of mirror neurons. Only recently discovered, these neurons allow us to learn complex social behaviors, some of which formed the foundations of human civilization as we know it.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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  Science & Technology

[3877michael]

Finally a video that explains the Trolls and Flamers on YouTube. NO empathy ! They are sub human! Now we can all feel sorry for their social retardation.

[LOLMAN22]

that ended way too quickly I WANT MORE!!

[Grizzly0679]

hahaha

[Grizzly0679]

wiki neurplasticity. The sources should lead you in an appropriate direction. Who cares what he says about eastern philosophy. Ever person who gives a talk usually at some point layers it with their opinion. The muddle their argument which is sometimes based on credible facts with a personal opinion so it loses meaning to some like yourself. I just look passed it. That's his interpretation and it may or may not be true, but speaking from specifically how neurons work, his science is spot on.

[Grizzly0679]

phantom limbs, or specifically the idea that one feels the pain of a missing limb is controversial, I won't disagree with that, but the idea which he is talking about is based on a real science called neuroplasticity. Yes you can actually learn, for example, how to play an instrument by practicing daily thinking about the musical theory, notes, and hand positions. Doing that will actually build the same neural networks as if one was actually playing the instrument, albeit not quite as good.

[Grizzly0679]

The subject is based on neuroplasticity and it's now a well documented science. Historically it will be regarded as a monumental step forward in the field of psychology. Completely reshapes how we look at the brain and provides a reason of how EMDR can be so successful in treating, for example, trauma patients. No other therapy actually physically repairs the brain and for the first time in history we are not making a distinction between mind and brain - they are both interlinked.

[john Smith]

Well, there are some things he doesn't mention: those electrodes were implanted in primates and birds, not humans. So why didn't they make the great leap forward? And as far as I know, only in 21 epilepsy patients who had electrodes for other purposes, a small number of MNs were found.

Most of the books and articles about MNs are based on fMRI studies, or on pure speculation. There's doubt that fMRI show MN at all, one datapoint is > million neurons. But it sells books....

[Primeiro Último]

you ma hero zoth

[zoth00]

Even though the topic is fascinating, people interested on it should also take a look at some of the critics at this theory. It's an highly controversial topic going on in neuroscience.

[SHITSWEEEK]

check out his book the tell tale brain. goes into depth about this, the phantom limbs, and even how autism is caused by damage to mirror neurons. great read

[Hollis Devillo]

What a wild accent this guy has, the first syllable 'r' is rolled,and the middle and ending 'r' is American.