Brain Story

Brain Story

7.65
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Ratings: 7.65/10 from 91 users.

Brain StoryWhy do we think and feel as we do? For years man has sought to understand the workings of the mind. Now, with advances in modern-day technology and developments in neuroscience, a whole new world of brain research is opening up.

Understanding our minds is becoming a reality. Guided by top neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, Brain Story attempts to answer the question "What is my mind and who am I?" We talk to philosophers, clinicians, neurosurgeons and their patients to discover quite what a finely balanced and complex machine the brain is.

All in the Mind. Susan Greenfield explains why she believes all aspects of human experience will eventually be explained in terms of the physical processes of the brain. The story of how we have gradually come to understand the astonishing complexity of the brain is revealed, from the earliest crude studies of the effects of brain injury, through to the latest insights from direct stimulation of specific areas in patients undergoing brain surgery whilst wide awake. Is it possible that our most spiritual feelings are merely the result of electrical activity in the temporal lobe?

In the Heat of the Moment. Where do emotions come from? Why do they feel so different from thoughts? Susan Greenfield looks at some of the old attempts to explain emotion in terms of brain areas and explains why she believes the answer must lie in the biochemistry of the brain – all the hundreds of chemical neurotransmitters which bathe the nerves.

The Mind's Eye. The illusion of vision. It feels as though we open our eyes and just see what’s out there, but the more we learn about the brain’s visual system, the further it seems this is from the truth. Patients who can’t see movement or recognize faces, reveal the tricks and short cuts the brain uses to construct an illusion of reality. Is the brain making up so much of what we think we’re seeing that vision is really just dreaming with your eyes open?

First Among Equals. What is it about brains that has put us in charge of the planet? Were have humans’ unique linguistic abilities come from? Are there special structures in our brains which no other animals possess? Or is it possible that our sophisticated rich cultures are merely the result of having larger brains? Susan Greenfield explains why she believes we are truly just big-brained chimps.

Growing the Mind. The changes in the brain during the growth and development of a baby into an adult are explored. Susan Greenfield looks at how little of the fine structure of our brains is predetermined at birth, how the connections between nerves are constantly changing in response to what we encounter in the outside world. She explains her view that learning, memory and even the process of becoming a unique individual, should all be seen as a restless brain adapting minute by minute to the environment it encounters. Life is about how the world leaves its mark on us.

The Final Mystery. How do our brains generate consciousness? We take it for granted that the brain makes being alive feel the way it does, but there’s no reason why it should.The brain is made of the same biological ingredients as the rest of the body, and yet somehow it manages to generate the indescribable phenomenon of consciousness. Consciousness is far more than just being able to imagine; it’s a whole extra dimension.

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TheMussi
TheMussi
1 year ago

This useless video doesn't allow one to even dislike this crap! May be u trying to run my brain?

Monde
Monde
3 years ago

anyone can tells me how to download?

Vijender Dogra
Vijender Dogra
3 years ago

Fantastic Job

Susana
Susana
6 years ago

"For centuries Man has sought..." Really, I'm not crazy about gratuitous political correctness but honestly, how long does this basic acknowledgment take? How about 'humankind' or 'humans' or 'people'? This is especially old world and out of date in this blurb which is about a particular woman's research. Does anybody proof read anymore? Apparently Woman is searching for understanding too.

Joao Santos
Joao Santos
9 years ago

Continuing my instruction about the brain, after reading Damasio's "Descartes Error" it's amazing to have images about what I learned. Thank you!

Akhil
Akhil
10 years ago

Isn't Religion the Invention of Human Race after being in awe (Fear mixed with Respect) of The Nature Around.... That is what is termed as the PAGAN Religions.... or Religions who had Pagan Origins... So In that true sense it was Human Inquisitiveness/Fear that led to the INVENTION Of RELIGIONS.... And I guess human brain had still not developed at that time (logical) to embark on Scientific explanations... And as that happened, there was this conflict of Science and Religion... Why should it be? Science Still does not Have all the Answers.... And Religion will continue to provide Pivot for FAITH, where Science and Laws fail Good Human Beings..... For the rest there are various types of SHRINKS....

Matt Kukowski
Matt Kukowski
11 years ago

We 'dominate' the planet... yeah... let us 'conquer' space... you can not slap down nature... she will slap you back 100000x harder. We need to change many of our words to be more realistic. Like we have begun DESTROYING the planet by our attempts to DOMINATE it.

Khairi Cahya Kurniawan
Khairi Cahya Kurniawan
12 years ago

how the brain works while sleeping ?

Angelique
Angelique
13 years ago

Philosophocles, that was a brilliant point of view...

Philosophocles
Philosophocles
13 years ago

Very interesting doc. I like how she presents all her findings and studies as theories. I love seeing how people come to their conclusions and present them without trying to force them on anyone else. I believe that is true knowledge. Analyzing and understanding for yourself.

Truly intelligent beings would never try to make someone else understand their view. One thing we do all know (without science), is that understanding cannot happen through osmosis. In other words, understanding can only arise in one's own mind. Sharing views is great, but stating them as fact (which a lot of people LOVE to do) is completely contradictory. Stating as view as fact, even with all the evidence in the world, will never help anyone else understand it. If I remember correctly, everybody once thought cigarettes were not harmful. Even doctors and nurses smoked in the hospitals. That view was a fact. Now its completely reversed. Facts don't prove much, its understanding and analysis that truly win the war. When we stop analyzing, we stop learning. I personally don't accept any theory without analyzing it myself, no matter how much proof someone presents.

What I mean to say is ... Great Doc. Thanks again Vlatko :)

roland gopel
roland gopel
13 years ago

i think its quite amusing how we need to use our brains to 'correct' the audio/video streams of a docco about the brain.
yeah its a bit annoying but then i'd still rather watch this than not watch it. its still a fascinating subject.

Capricious
Capricious
14 years ago

This documentary is pretty good but like Tyler says, the sound quality is not the greatest. The quality itself is fine but the delay between sound and video is definitely substantial and detracting. I really wish google video would figure out how to auto-fix stuff like that - it generally seems to happen after someone uploads it and google converts it to their FLV format.

Good documentary if you're interested in the brain though, very extensive and quite easy to understand.

Tyler
Tyler
14 years ago

I really like this stuff, but the sound is pretty bad. It clips a lot, and it's a bit off track, at least for the "Mind's Eye" one.