The Secret You

With the help of a hammer-wielding scientist, Jennifer Aniston and a general anaesthetic, Professor Marcus du Sautoy goes in search of answers to one of science's greatest mysteries: how do we know who we are? While the thoughts that make us feel as though we know ourselves are easy to experience, they are notoriously difficult to explain. So, in order to find out where they come from, Marcus subjects himself to a series of probing experiments.

He learns at what age our self-awareness emerges and whether other species share this trait. Next, he has his mind scrambled by a cutting-edge experiment in anaesthesia. Having survived that ordeal, Marcus is given an out-of-body experience in a bid to locate his true self. And in Hollywood, he learns how celebrities are helping scientists understand the microscopic activities of our brain. Finally, he takes part in a mind-reading experiment that both helps explain and radically alters his understanding of who he is.

Procesos CC e INC: 4 en 1

The unconscious processing seems to be simpler than the conscious one. It includes a whole range of neural processing from the automatic reflex of some simple animals such as the E. coli to automatic actions taken by human. Actually conscious and unconscious processing is similar; they are different versions of the same thing, presumably using at least some of the same neural equipments. The consciously performed actions of the beginner are a stumbling version of the more unconscious actions of the skilled performer. Conscious and unconscious forms blend into each other; there is no hard dividing line. Conscious processing can be summarized as the combination of unconscious processing with feeling or thought - sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the level of detail or complexity. The brain is constantly trying to automate processes, thereby dispelling them from consciousness; in this way, its work will be completed faster, more effectively and at a lower metabolic level. Consciousness, on the other hand, is slow, subject to error and expensive.

The figure presents a modern view of the conscious. It divides the conscious and subconscious thought into four divisions (controllers). While the Pavlovian controller is the brain's autopilot, the other three control systems (see more detail in the diagrams, and brain components) combine both kind of thought to achieve the best possible outcome depending on the level of uncertainty about the situation you are in. In this model, subconscious and conscious thoughts are more like equal partners than competitors. The two work together to evaluate all the available information whether consciously or subconsciously perceived. Our behaviour is often driven by more than one of the four controllers. This is especially true when we are learning something new where the balance between ignorance and experience changes. Importantly, the subconscious isn't the dumb cousin of the conscious, but rather a cousin with different skills. 

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Documental "Cocaína: la mecánica del placer"

 

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Español / 50:36 Min. / 349 mb
 

El estudio de la cocaína permite a los científicos comprender mejor el funcionamiento del cerebro. La cocaína y su derivado, el crack, las anfetaminas y los antidepresivos tienen como característica común proporcionar al que los consume, energía, confianza en sí mismo y cierta euforia. Son las llamadas drogas psicoestimulantes. Con 158.000 hectáreas de cultivos, la cocaína es el centro de un tráfico colosal que genera miles de millones de dólares de beneficios y somete a países enteros a los intereses de los narcotraficantes.
A través de los testimonios de investigadores, científicos y expertos en drogas, este documental pone de manifiesto el papel y la importancia que ha adquirido la cocaína en la sociedad actual.

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