The Psychological Experience of Poetry
On how our brains and bodies find pleasure in poetry.
All posts tagged: neuroscience
Bridging Neuroscience and Abstract Art: A Conversation with Eric Kandel
A conversation with the Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel.
The Surprising Ways Your Name Affects Your Life
From dating to job prospects, a name has remarkable power over the path of its owner’s life.
Can Creativity Be Learned?
Prevailing theories on creativity focus on methodology, or amount of practice. But artistic talent may be more hard-wired than previously thought.
The Romantic Power of Music
Studies show that musical ability might be a sexually selected trait.
The Ethics of Erasing Bad Memories
Though the emerging possibility of deleting traumatic memories could provide some people relief, the question remains whether it would fundamentally change who they are.
Music as Religious Experience
On the neuroscience of music and religious feeling.
Fiction, Morality, and the Science of Reading
Books are much more. They are a way of being fully human. — Susan Sontag Anyone who has ever cozied up in a corner with a fascinating novel knows the pleasures of an afternoon spent reading. Perhaps it was when you whizzed through breezy books like the Harry Potter series or spent time (and a great deal of energy) grappling with the more serious concepts put forth by the likes of Dostoevsky or Safran Foer. Either way, finding that truly engaging novel is a beautiful moment, and is always something to be cherished. As C.S. Lewis said, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” But what if reading is more than just a simple pleasure, more than something that entertains, teaches and engrosses?
