Credit: Courtesy of Blink Films
Tonight, on the first of six episodes, discover how the brain constructs multi-sensory reality within the silence and darkness of the skull.
Neuroscientist David Eagleman explores the human brain in an epic series that reveals the ultimate story of us, why we feel and think the things we do. This ambitious project blends science with innovative visual effects and compelling personal stories, and addresses some big questions. By understanding the human brain, we can come close to understanding humanity.
The series, hosted by Dr. David Eagleman, neuroscientist, New York Times best-selling author and a Guggenheim Fellow, will reveal the human story by blending scientific truth with innovative visual effects and compelling personal stories. With barely a brain scanner or a white coat in sight, THE BRAIN focuses on understanding the fundamental truths of what it means to be human now and in the coming centuries, while communicating these elegant and simple ideas as they apply to us and our experiences.
Dr. Eagleman’s exciting multi-disciplinary approach has earned him respect — and fans — across the globe. He will take viewers on a fascinating journey through our inner cosmos, exploring the brain’s neural landscape while asking profound questions like “What is reality?” and “Who is in control?” He will also look at the darker side of humanity in order to understand why the brain drives us towards certain actions and behaviors.“The brain is a very interesting and complicated part of the human anatomy, and this series will boldly venture to this inner cosmos in a way not seen on television before,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “We are pleased to have such an accessible and renowned scientist as David present this groundbreaking series as part of our Wednesday lineup — what we think of as the smartest night on television.”“In a cubic centimeter of brain tissue there are as many connections as stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. Somehow our thoughts, our hopes, and our dreams are contained in these three pounds of wet biological material,” said Dr. Eagleman. “I hope that when viewers watch THE BRAIN, they will take away the love of science and wonder that make us all unique. I’m honored to present this program on PBS.”About Dr. David EaglemanDavid Eagleman is a neuroscientist and a New York Times best-selling author. He directs the Laboratory for Perception and Action at the Baylor College of Medicine, where he also directs the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law. He is best known for his work on time perception, synesthesia and neurolaw. At night he writes. His work of fiction, SUM, is an international best-seller published in 27 languages; Why the Net Matters examines what the advent of the internet means on the timescale of civilizations; Wednesday Is Indigo Blue explores the neurological condition of synesthesia, in which the senses are blended. His most recent book, the New York Times best-seller Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, explores the neuroscience “under the hood” of the conscious mind — in other words, all the aspects of neural function to which we have no awareness or access.