logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
31m 54s

How to decode a thought

Vox
About this episode
Can researchers decipher what people are thinking about just by looking at brain scans? With AI, they're getting closer. How far can they go, and what does it mean for privacy? To buy tickets to our upcoming live show in New York, go to http://vox.com/unexplainablelive For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts a ... Show More
Up next
Jul 6
Are we all living in an enormous black hole?
It’s possible that the entire observable universe is inside a black hole. All we need to do in order to find out is … build a gigantic particle collider around the moon. (Originally aired in 2024) Guest: James Beacham, particle physicist at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN For s ... Show More
25m 37s
Jun 29
Risky business
As the world gets warmer and storms get worse, insurance companies are jacking up rates or refusing to cover homeowners altogether. Is the future uninsurable? (Originally aired in 2024). Guests: Umair Irfan, climate reporter; Karen Clark, co-founder and CEO of Karen Clark & Compa ... Show More
29m 47s
Jun 24
A period piece
Periods and menstrual fluid have long been overlooked by scientists. Now, researchers are starting to suspect they might be sources of medical treasure. (Originally aired in 2024) Guest: Jemma Evans, biologist For show transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unxtranscripts⁠⁠⁠⁠ ... Show More
19m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2016
Mind Reading
Whether it's gossiping over a drink, teaching our children, or politicians debating we use words to communicate with each other and share ideas. It’s what makes us human. But what if we can’t? Could it be possible to broadcast our thoughts directly from our brains without the nee ... Show More
26m 59s
Apr 2022
Is mind-reading real?
Can people actually read minds? Can we move objects with our brains like in the movies? We're exploring the history of shady psychics, sketchy seances, and secret superpower studies. Plus, hear from a scientist who is helping people regain the ability to pick up and move objects ... Show More
32m 32s
Sep 2023
Can technology read our mind?
How does our brain process language? We speak to an expert who is using technology to turn narrative thoughts into text. Also on the show, what is happening in our brains when we switch languages? And what are the positives and perils of technology and translation?Also on the sho ... Show More
50m 44s
Mar 2021
BrainStuff Classics: Could Humans Control Volcanic Eruptions?
Spoiler alert: Not yet. But researchers are working on it. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
6m 14s
Dec 2024
The mind-reading potential of AI | Chin-Teng Lin
Scientists are getting closer to giving humans the power to communicate with their thoughts alone. In a live demo, researcher Chin-Teng Lin shows how brain-computer interfaces can translate a person's neural signals into text on a computer, potentially opening up a new realm of c ... Show More
13m 19s
Nov 2024
The Science of Mind Reading: Unlocking the Secrets of Human Thought
The Science of Mind Reading: Unlocking the Secrets of Human ThoughtJoin us in this fascinating episode of The Science of Mind Reading, where we delve into the intriguing world of understanding human thoughts and emotions. Can we read minds, or is it just an illusion? In this epis ... Show More
12m 48s
Dec 2012
Brain Science
Will science ever understand the human mind? Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by comedian and former psychiatric nurse, Jo Brand, and neuroscientists Sophie Scott and Brian Butterworth. With ever more sensitive brain scanning techniques and advances in brain science, ... Show More
28m 17s
Jan 2022
Mind Reading 2.0: Why did you do that?
<p>As we go through life, we’re constantly trying to figure out what other people are thinking and feeling. Psychologist <a href="https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/psychology/people/faculty-directory/liane-young.html">Liane Young</a> says this ability to assess o ... Show More
48m 50s
Aug 2019
Can I Read Your Mind
What is a brain-computer interface and how does it work? Why is Elon Musk interested in them? And is Facebook really going to read your mind? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
45m 38s
May 2024
Audio long read: How does ChatGPT ‘think’? Psychology and neuroscience crack open AI large language models
AIs are often described as 'black boxes' with researchers unable to to figure out how they 'think'. To better understand these often inscrutable systems, some scientists are borrowing from psychology and neuroscience to design tools to reverse-engineer them, which they hope will ... Show More
17m 41s