SPOS #962 – Richard Cytowic On Simple Brains And Smartphones

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Welcome to episode #962 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Richard Cytowic is a neurologist, neuropsychologist, and a creative force who brought the enigmatic phenomenon of synesthesia back into scientific discourse after decades of dismissal, earning him international acclaim and cementing his place as a pioneer in neuroscience. Currently a Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington University, Richard has authored multiple groundbreaking books, including The Man Who Tasted Shapes, which won The Montaigne Medal, and has been the subject of three BBC documentaries. His work has influenced fields ranging from psychology to the arts, with speaking engagements at prestigious institutions like NASA, the Smithsonian, and the Library of Congress. In our conversation, Richard explored the themes of his latest book, Your Stone Age Brain In The Screen Age - Coping With Digital Distraction And Sensory Overload, an examination of why our prehistoric brains are ill-equipped for the constant bombardment of modern technology. Richard's unique lens - a fusion of neurological insight and storytelling - reveals how our brains, still operating on Stone Age instincts, are no match for the addictive design of our devices. He explains the science behind behaviors many of us dismiss, such as our inability to put down our phones or stop scrolling, linking these behaviors to the brain's limited bandwidth and the mechanics of positive intermittent reinforcement (think slot machines in your pocket). As someone who helped reintroduce synesthesia to mainstream science, Richard also connects these findings to larger societal implications, questioning how technology influences not only our attention but also our ability to interact meaningfully with others. Richard’s deep dives into the science of human attention, working memory, and our psychological relationship with technology offer practical wisdom and fascinating insights. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so hard to put your phone down - or how we can reclaim our focus and connection in the digital age - this is for you. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:02:58.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
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• Here is my conversation with Richard Cytowic.
• Your Stone Age Brain In The Screen Age - Coping With Digital Distraction And Sensory Overload.
• The Man Who Tasted Shapes.
• Synesthesia.
• Richard’s columns for Psychology Today.
• Follow Richard on X.
• Follow Richard on LinkedIn.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to Synesthesia. (11:46) - The Impact of Screens on Our Brains. (25:14) - Understanding Attention and Energy. (39:45) - Navigating Digital Addiction. (55:50) - The Future of AI and Human Interaction.