"Limits of the Human": neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel joins the National Centre RUSSIA's Open Lecture Hall podcast

How the brain works, where scientific myths come from and why technology should not replace independent thought were discussed in a podcast from the Open Lecture Hall "Inventing the Future: Limits of the Human" at the National Centre RUSSIA. The guest expert was the Brazilian-American neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel, who was interviewed by Anastasia Maltseva from the Movement of the First and a graduate of the Young Journalists School, Semyon Nikitin. The episode was recorded in collaboration with "Klassnoye Radio" and the Media House of the First.

The conversation began with the scientist's first impressions of Russia. The participants then discussed why it is important to know the history and culture of one's people and how young people's lives differ in Russia and America. Other topics included what makes humans unique beyond the number of neurons, the role that food cooked over fire played in brain development and which animals are considered the most intelligent after humans. The podcast participants discussed mistakes in scientific work, the qualities that help people remain researchers throughout their lives and how to make science engaging.

The scientist also addressed artificial intelligence. In her view, there is no need to reject technology: what matters is understanding how to use it thoughtfully, while recognising that knowledge cannot develop without independent thinking.

"Information is simply facts, while knowledge emerges when you process them anew through your own experience. Your brain does not change or learn anything until it has the relevant experience," the neuroscientist said.

Watch the new episode of the National Centre RUSSIA's Open Lecture Hall podcast to discover how music changes the brain, why it detects out-of-tune singing and whether researchers themselves can make mistakes.