BRAINLAND

Ken Barrett

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Brainland the podcast navigates the boundary between neuroscience, the arts and humanities with the occasional wander off piste. It began as a neuro-historical exploration of the background to the Brainland the opera but quickly spread its wings. A Brainland Collective production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19h ago

EXPLORING THE AUTISTIC BRAIN

In another wide ranging conversation, Prof Rajesh Kana, author of the recent book 'The Neuroscience of Autism' walks us through this potentially complex subject. After definitions we talk about overlaps with other conditions, especially ADHD, and how this is worked with in brain imaging studies. We talk about competing causal hypotheses the varied use of the MRI brain scanner to image structures, pathways, chemical concentrations and local energy use. The examination that perhaps has the most potential is pathways, relating to what has recently been labelled 'the connectome' - the more complex the behaviour or demand (and effective social interaction is demanding) the more areas of the brain effectively engaged, and so efficient connection, nerve pathways, are key. This has been applied in investigation of 'theory of mind'. Other areas discussed include gender difference in diagnosis, the importance of glial cells and animal models of autism and whether or not the concept of autism will survive into the future. Great introduction to an area of brain research still in its early stages Participants: Rajesh Rana is Distinguished Professor of Psychology and the Associate Dean for Graduate and Continuing Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham https://scholars.uab.edu/2730-rajesh-kana Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/ Rajesh's book 'The neuroscience of autism' https://shop.elsevier.com/books/the-neuroscience-of-autism/kana/978-0-12-816393-1?format=print&utm_source=google_ads&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=ukpmax&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21073979696 Opening and closing theme- extract from the Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Instagram: #brainlandcollective Sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24

SPEAK! On the neuroscience of language...

In this conversation Jonathan Peelle, language researcher and author of the a recent book on the subject, ranges over many aspects of the brain origins of language. We begin by discussing nineteenth century luminaries Broca and Wernicke and the effect of the First World War on simplistic notions of localisation, revived in modified form by Penfield and Geschwind in the '50s and '60s. We talk about the various stages of understanding and using language, including non-verbal aspects of communication and non verbal language use (sign language). After discussing the various brain investigation tools used in language research, illustrated by one of Jonathan's own studies, we talk about the often unsung contribution on the cerebellum to communication (a structure that actually has four times as many neurons as the rest of the brain). We go on to talk about the effect of background noise on our ability to recall what is said and recent discoveries about the way brain electrical oscillation impacts linguistic functions. Great conversation with a real expert in the field. Participants: Jonathan Peelle is a Professor, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Health, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, USA. http://jonathanpeelle.net/ https://cos.northeastern.edu/people/jonathan-peelle-2/ Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/ Jonathan's book 'The Neuroscience of Language': https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/the-neuroscience-of-language/CC8ADEC4DCE8BB398F71BFFA1E56D124#overview More on Broca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Broca Wernicke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Wernicke Norman Geschwind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Geschwind Wilder Penfield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilder_Penfield Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Instagram: #brainlandcollective Sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 19

CHESS MASTERY AND THE ART OF THINKING SIDEWAYS

In this episode expert chess player Jennifer Shahade talks about the world of competitive chess and her motivation for writing her recent book 'Thinking Sideways'. In a wide ranging conversation, we discuss the changes in chess since the events depicted in the TV series 'Queen's Gambit', especially the greater involvement of children, now learning from the age of 4, and also women. We touch on discrimination and abusive behaviour in relation to the game, physical and online, some called out by Jennifer herself. Some figures from the past who were expert chess players get a mention, in fields as diverse as code-breaking (Alan Turing) and art (Marcel Duchamp), both fields in which 'thinking sideways' can be invaluable. We talk about decision trees, memory, visualisation and pattern recognition and an interesting overlap with learning dance steps. Jennifer's other skill, poker, also gets a mention and the way chess skills map onto that as well as the interesting differences. In short, a rare look into the world and mind of the chess master. Participants: Jennifer Shahade is a three-time National Chess Champion, PokerStars Ambassador and author: https://jennifershahade.com/ Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/ Jennifer's book 'Thinking Sideways: How to think like a chess player and win at life' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Sideways-Chess-Reveals-Success-ebook/dp/B0CX4X11QS The Netflix series 'Queen's Gambit':https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10048342/ Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Instagram: #brainlandcollective Sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 15

THE VISIONARY FICTION OF KAREL ČAPEK

In this episode John Rieder, a leading authority on early science fiction and its critique of colonialism and more talks about Czech writer Karel Čapek, whose play 'RUR', 'Rossums Universal Robots', introduced the word 'robot' to the world. We discuss the way early sci fi, such as Well's 'War of the Worlds', offered a subtle critique of colonialism and uncontrolled profit/capitalism. John outlines the plots and the various subtexts of three Čapek's extraordinary novels recognised as early examples of science fiction: 'War with the Newts' (1936), 'The Absolute at Large' (1922) and Krakatit (1924), exploring the targets of his satire and his style of writing which, despite the subject matter, is most often comic. We also discuss some of Čapek's influences (he read Wells in English), his other fiction and non-fiction (detective stories, translating French poetry and biography and journalism). In short, a terrific great conversation about a visionary writer who deserves to be better known in the anglophone world. If you are a sci fi fan, check out season 2, episode 1 on Lem/Tarkosvsky's 'Solaris'. In September we are tackling Gibson's 'Neuromancer'. Participants: John Rieder is Emeritus Professor of English, University of Hawaii. https://english.hawaii.edu/faculty/john-rieder/ Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/ John Rieder on Karel Čapek, War with the Newts (1936) / Comic Jeremiad Journalism.” Uneven Futures, edited by Gerry Canavan, Sean Guynes, and Ida Yoshinaga. MIT Press, 2022: 99-104.The MIT Press Reader, January 30, 2023. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/on-karel-capeks-prophetic-sci-fi-novel-war-with-the-newts/ More on Karel ČAPEK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karel_%C4%8Capek His play 'RUR': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.U.R. War with the Newts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_with_the_Newts The Absolute at Large: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Absolute_at_Large His detective stories, 'Tales from two pockets': https://archive.org/details/talesfromtwopock0000cape 'The gardeners's year': https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gardeners-year-9780826486257/ The Solaris episode: https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/solaris Opening and closing music: Prelude to Brainland the opera by Stephen Brown Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Instagram: #brainlandcollective Sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 7

CHESS HEAD: Could regular chess playing remodel your brain?

In this episode we discuss the history and evolution of chess and how chess competence, up to grand master, is rated, including how this would stand up in a scientific research setting. We talk through the range of brain investigation studies included in their recent review and some of the technical background to those tests and limitations of their methods before moving on to the areas of difference between novice players and experts, relating to pattern recognition, memory, imagery and decision making. An interesting finding was reduced grey matter volume in key areas in experts and we talk about the way this links to findings in other skills areas before discussing the possibility that regularly playing chess might be a valuable tool in developing cognitive skills in school age children and maintaining them in older adults (both currently subject to research). Along the way there are interesting diversions into the brains of London taxi drivers, survival value of larger prefrontal areas, other studies of working memory training plus gender differences in chess interest and expertise. Where else could you hear this stuff! Samantha Brooks is professor of cognitive neuroscience, John Moores University, Liverpool UK https://profiles.ljmu.ac.uk/13546-samantha-brooks/professional Morgan Williams is a postgraduate researcher, Leicester University, UK. Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatristhttp://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/ Morgan and Samantha's paper ' Neural correlates of chess expertise': https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050642525000326 Also discussed: Frontiers | Review of the Neural Processes of Working Memory Training: Controlling the Impulse to Throw the Baby Out With the Bathwater The Hans Berger, history of EEG Brainland episode: https://open.acast.com/networks/6452b6516dd22500113dc7d2/shows/6452b6516dd22500113dc7ca/episodes/6a4cc139e4f7d40f06345ebc Opening and closing music: Prelude to Brainland the opera by Stephen Brown Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Instagram: #brainlandcollective Sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 26

CHALLENGING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HUMAN: Post-humanism in literature and film

In this episode we explore how post-humanist ideas and perspectives, discussed in the earlier episode with Christine Daigle (season 2, episode 7), are reflected in literature and film. Fresh from teaching a course on post-humanist literature and film, Russ Kilbourn chooses three novels and five films, the former including Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' (also discussed in detail at the end of season 2 episode 39), 'Split Tooth' by Inuit musician and writer Tanya Tagak and 'Lament for Julia by Susan Taubes. After defining 'posthumanism' Russ draws out the common threads from those narratives before moving on to his film picks including Villeneuve's 'Arrival', 'Ex machina' and 'Annihilation' by Alex Garland, Frammartino's extraordinary Italian film "Le quattro volte' and experimental film 'Upstream colour by Shaun Caruth. Our wide ranging discussion is difficult to capture in a couple of sentences. Take a listen!And if uou'd like more film chat, this is our Italian cinema podcast Capolavoro!: https://shows.acast.com/capolavoro-masterworks-of-italian-cinema Participants: Russell J Kilbourn is Professor in the Dept of English and Film Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada. http://rjakilbourn.com/ Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatristhttp://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/ Novels discussed: Frankenstein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein 'Frankenstein disassembled': Brainland episode on Mary Shelley and her novel: https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/deassembling-frankenstein-the-remarkable-life-of-mary-shelle Split Tooth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_Tooth Lament for Julia: https://www.the-tls.com/literature-by-region/north-american-literature/lament-for-julia-the-philosophical-pathos-of-susan-taubes-elliot-r-wolfson-book-review-jess-cotton Films discussed: Le quattro volte https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646975/?ref_=fn_i_1 Annihilation https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2798920/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_Annihilation Ex machina https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470752/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_ex%20machina Upstream colour https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084989/ Opening and closing music: Prelude to Brainland the opera by Stephen Brown Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Instagram: #brainlandcollective Sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 11

FOUND IN TRANSLATION: Linguistic shape-shifting.

In this episode we talk to linguist and academic Nicoletta Asciuto about her York university module 'Found in Translation' and four of her former students. Nicoletta talks about her move from monolingual upbringing to knowledge of ten languages, her decision to teach a module about translating to English from whatever home language. She discusses the often powerful emotional effect of translation for her students, four of whom agreed to join her on the podcast to talk about their work and personal experience - translation as, by turns, mindful, calming, focussing, escapist, deeply connecting to the past/heritage, and, as a group, a safe space that nurtured confidence and acceptance. We also speak more widely about the state of mind in professional translation. Where else but Brainland? Participants: Nicoletta Asciuto, Senior Lecturer in Modern Literature, University of York, UK. https://www.york.ac.uk/english/people/nicolettaasciuto/ Former students on Nicoletta's and their home nation: Anna Thyregod Wilcks (Danish); Enora Le Roux (French) Arek Prokopczyk (Polish) Ives Giulia Cappato (Italian) with a readquote from Hayley Griffiths (Welsh) Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk Nicoletta's 'Found in Translation' module: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ENG00093H/2025-26?query=lost+in+translation&department=&creditLevel=&teachingPeriod=&isAvailableAsElective=false&isAvailableToVisitingStudents=false&electiveTheme=&offset=0&max=15 Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Portrait sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 8

DERRIDA'S CAT: Exploring the boundaries of the human.

In this episode French philosophy specialist Judith Still talks about Jacque Derrida and in particular his late preoccupation with the animal-human boundary. After surveying philosophical writing on animals going back two millennia, including related views on indigenous peoples, the enslaved and women, Judith talks about the challenges of reading Derrida. We discuss his early life, as a Jewish boy in Algeria, excluded from education in the Vichy period. We deconstruct deconstruction (sort of) before touching on his notion of 'leaving a trace', whether birds create something akin to symphonies and anyway their superiority to us, along with dolphins, in navigating the sound/spatial world. We make brief excursion into the notion of animal art, zoopolitics, factory farming and and the ethics of pedigree dog breeding in an episode that makes an often obscure and challenging subject and writer comprehensible. Participants: Judith Still, Emeritus Professor of French and Critical Theory, University of Nottingham, Vice President (Humanities), British Academy. https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/clas/departments/modern-languages/people/judith.still1 Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk Judith's book, 'Derrida and other animals: The boundaries of the human: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/media/resources/9780748680986_Derrida_and_Other_Animals_-_Introduction.pdf Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk Portrait sketch by KB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brainland the podcast navigates the boundary between neuroscience, the arts and humanities with the occasional wander off piste. It began as a neuro-historical exploration of the background to the Brainland the opera but quickly spread its wings. A Brainland Collective production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creator

Ken Barrett
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

98
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Ken Barrett
Show Website

BRAINLAND

History

History

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Society & Culture

Society & Culture

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