The brain with David Eagleman. 6, Who will we be?.

Episode Six – Who Will We Be? This episode explores how the brain is structured to innovate, and the future fundamental changes in the relationship between the body, the brain, and the outside world. Presenter Dr David Eagleman explains plasticity, and tells the story of Cameron Mott, who suffers from Rasmussen Syndrome. Paediatric Neurosurgeon Dr George Jallo and Neurologist Dr Adam Hartman discuss the radical brain surgery Mott underwent to remove the damaged half of her brain. Eagleman explains how a cochlear implant works. He exhibits an experimental piece of clothing constructed in his laboratory that attempts to turn sound into patterns of vibration that are felt on the skin of the torso, in an attempt to explore sensory expansion. Jan Sherman, who suffers from a rare genetic disease that has left her quadriplegic, is shown being fitted with a robotic arm controlled by her brain. Eagleman explores brain preservation at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. Futurologist Max More exhibits and explains cryonic suspension. Eagleman next visits Sebastian Seung at MIT, who describes the connectome. He exhibits his experiments in serial electron microscopy. Eagleman explains Moore’s Law and exhibits a super computer. He explains the computational hypothesis, and visits Co-Director Sean Hill and Dr Martin Telefont at The Blue Brain Project. Eagleman discusses artificial intelligence, and visits the robot iCub at Plymouth University. He explains Philosopher John Searle’s thought experiment ‘The Chinese Room’. Curator of Houston Zoo Kevin Hodge explains the chemical signalling and emergent properties of leafcutter ants, whilst Eagleman compares this to the work of the human brain. Neuroscientist Giulio Tononi talks about how the brain produces consciousness and his laboratory’s experiments using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Eagleman ponders the possibilities of simulated life, and discusses Rene Descartes’ ‘cogito ergo sum’ theory surrounding consciousness and reality.