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Your Internet Brain

How the internet's architecture illuminates the workings of our brains.

Race and Ethnicity
Do We Really Perceive Other-Race Faces Differently?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

Being among people of different ethnicity, you might feel you can't tell individuals apart. But this is because they are unfamiliar, not because they are a different ethnicity.

Being among people of different ethnicity, you might feel you can't tell individuals apart. But this is because they are unfamiliar, not because they are a different ethnicity.

Neuroscience
Decoding Pink Floyd in Your Brain

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on September 18, 2023

It is old news that scientists can read out aspects of your internal conscious experience by recording neural signals. But one new study is still a remarkable achievement.

It is old news that scientists can read out aspects of your internal conscious experience by recording neural signals. But one new study is still a remarkable achievement.

Animal Behavior
Why Sharks Will Sometimes Attack People

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on June 12, 2023

In the rare cases where sharks attack humans without provocation, what goes wrong? To answer this question, we need to examine the shark's sensory world, especially its vision.

In the rare cases where sharks attack humans without provocation, what goes wrong? To answer this question, we need to examine the shark's sensory world, especially its vision.

Artificial Intelligence
Could ChatGPT Be a Cognitive Prosthesis?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on June 7, 2023

Chatbot artificial intelligence may never be reliable enough to help people of typical or high intelligence. But could it still help the least cognitively able?

Chatbot artificial intelligence may never be reliable enough to help people of typical or high intelligence. But could it still help the least cognitively able?

Stress
The Psychological Risks of Cancer Screening

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

Cancer is a major killer, despite much progress in treatment. Just receiving a diagnosis can cause depression and stress, which may lead to death before the cancer itself can kill.

Cancer is a major killer, despite much progress in treatment. Just receiving a diagnosis can cause depression and stress, which may lead to death before the cancer itself can kill.

Attention
If You Need a Break, Just Blink

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

The neuronal changes triggered by blinking might just be a way to escape the pressures of the world, however briefly.

The neuronal changes triggered by blinking might just be a way to escape the pressures of the world, however briefly.

Teamwork
Why Do Humans Make War?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

No other species wages large-scale war the way we do. Why do we kill our kind so frequently, and how does our species yet survive?

No other species wages large-scale war the way we do. Why do we kill our kind so frequently, and how does our species yet survive?

Scent
How Dogs “See” Smells

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on October 20, 2022

Dogs are famous for their noses. Not only do they inspect almost everything with their noses, their heads have a special design geared toward smell.

Dogs are famous for their noses. Not only do they inspect almost everything with their noses, their heads have a special design geared toward smell.

Dreaming
Do Animals Have Dreams?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 22, 2022

Mammals have long bouts of REM sleep. This is when vivid dreams are most likely. So in the animal kingdom, we and our furry relatives are probably the most prolific dreamers.

Mammals have long bouts of REM sleep. This is when vivid dreams are most likely. So in the animal kingdom, we and our furry relatives are probably the most prolific dreamers.

Dreaming
Dreams Are Even Weirder Than You Think

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 14, 2022

It seems like anything can happen in a dream, and this invites creative interpretations. But if dreams were totally random, analysis wouldn't be very meaningful.

It seems like anything can happen in a dream, and this invites creative interpretations. But if dreams were totally random, analysis wouldn't be very meaningful.

Genetics
Is the Female Brain Superior?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 8, 2022

To celebrate International Women's Day, we consider the remarkable but mysterious genetic diversity that exists in the bodies of genetic females, especially in their brains.

To celebrate International Women's Day, we consider the remarkable but mysterious genetic diversity that exists in the bodies of genetic females, especially in their brains.

Neuroscience
How Cats See the World

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 22, 2022

For millennia, humans have invited cats into our homes, yet they remain mysterious. Understanding how they perceive the world can bring us closer.

For millennia, humans have invited cats into our homes, yet they remain mysterious. Understanding how they perceive the world can bring us closer.

Neuroscience
The Neuroscience of Light Therapy

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on November 17, 2021

As we approach the winter solstice, you are probably aware that decreasing daylight can have a substantial impact on mood and mental health. Here's what we know.

As we approach the winter solstice, you are probably aware that decreasing daylight can have a substantial impact on mood and mental health. Here's what we know.

Neuroscience
What Do You See Just Before You Are Born?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Think back to your earliest memory. It probably comes from early childhood, probably around age three. Maybe it’s a hazy image or a vague feeling.

Think back to your earliest memory. It probably comes from early childhood, probably around age three. Maybe it’s a hazy image or a vague feeling.