1. grrlscientist
  2. TEDTalks: VS Ramachandran Talks About The Neurons that Shaped Civilization

TEDTalks: VS Ramachandran Talks About The Neurons that Shaped Civilization

By grrlscientist on January 19, 2010.

tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran outlines the fascinating functions of mirror neurons. Only recently discovered, these neurons allow us to learn complex social behaviors, some of which formed the foundations of human civilization as we know it.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts.

Tags
behavior
biology
evolution
streaming videos
brain
civilization
Culture
Ghandi neurons
mirror neurons
neurobiology
streaming video
TEDTalks
Video
VS Ramachandran
behavior
biology
evolution
streaming videos

More like this

TEDTalks: Loretta Napoleoni Talks about the Intricate Economics of Terrorism
tags: politics, terrorism, economics, social psychology, Red Brigades, Italy, TEDTalks, TED Talks, Loretta Napoleoni, streaming video Loretta Napoleoni details her rare opportunity to talk to the secretive Italian Red Brigades -- an experience that sparked a lifelong interest in terrorism. She…
TEDTalks: Seth Berkley: HIV and 'Flu -- The Vaccine Strategy
tags: HIV and 'Flu -- The Vaccine Strategy, microbiology, epidemiology, virology, vaccines, medicine, public health, viruses, influenza, HIV, Seth Berkley, TEDTalks, TED Talks, streaming video Seth Berkley explains how smart advances in vaccine design, production and distribution are bringing us…
TEDTalks: Dee Boersma: Pay Attention to Penguins
tags: Pay Attention to Penguins, birds, penguins, environment, global warming, ethics, climate change, Dee Boersma, TEDTalks, TED Talks, streaming video Think of penguins as ocean sentinels, says Dee Boersma -- they're on the frontlines of sea change. Sharing stories of penguin life and culture,…
TEDTalks: John Kasaona Tells Us How Poachers Became Caretakers
tags: How Poachers became Caretakers, Namibia, conservation biology, endangered species, wildlife, poachers, John Kasaona, TEDTalks, TED Talks, streaming video In his home of Namibia, John Kasaona is working on an innovative way to protect endangered animal species: giving nearby villagers (…

Ramachandran is an awe inspiring speaker. I was sitting having lunch today and nearly jumped out of my seat when I saw two vehicles have a near miss collision. - mirror neurons got a great workout. Thanks for the video.

joanna