The Electric Ape - Susan Greenfield's 1994 Christmas Lectures 1/5

In her first lecture, Dr Susan Greenfield introduces us to the human brain, how it works, and how electricity and chemicals shape what we do and feel.

Watch all the lectures in this series here:    • Susan Greenfield's 1994 CHRISTMAS LECTURES  
Watch our newest Christmas lectures here:    • Royal Institution Christmas Lectures  

This lecture was filmed at the Ri on Saturday 17th December 1994.
--
This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world famous series showcasing science, curiosity, and mind-blowing demos, and started by the legendary Michael Faraday himself. To celebrate, we're unlocking the archive. We're uploading all the classic lectures to our YouTube channel — some not seen since they aired on TV. Sign up as a Science Supporter and get early access here:    / @theroyalinstitution  
--

The brain is an odd-looking object, like nothing else in the universe. It has a basic shape which is elaborated and modified according to species, but which gives few clues as to how it works. However, we know that the brain is at work all the time, burning up energy ten times faster than any other body tissue at rest. The brain uses energy to generate electricity. If electrodes are placed on the surface of the scalp, then brain electricity can be monitored by a technique known as electroencephalography. The electroencephalogram (EEG) changes according to whether we are aroused, relaxed or asleep; it even changes when we dream. In turn, such states are regulated by chemicals in the brain. Chemicals in the brain can also control the sensation of pain. But the brain is not just a receiving station for our senses. The whole point about being an animal is that we are 'animated', always on the move. It is possible to identify the parts of the brain that control movement. Even simply thinking about moving, as with other 'mental' events such as feeling relaxed or feeling pain, all have counterparts in the physical, observable world.

--

Then Dr Susan, now Baroness Greenfield (b.1950), presented the 1994 CHRISTMAS LECTURES as a five-part series, entitled 'Journey to the Centres of the Brain'. Our brains are ourselves. Every emotion, prejudice and hope is grounded in a molecular scenario somehow and somewhere in the secretive, silent organ between the ears. These lectures will explore what we know, and what still mystifies us, about the workings of the brain. Starting with no prior knowledge, we shall see what the brain looks like, how it generates electricity, and how it uses chemicals to process information. We shall be left with the thought that we know a great deal about how different brain regions function, but how such regions work together to generate a cohesive, individual individual consciousness, remains a tantalising puzzle.

--

Join this channel to get access to perks:
   / @theroyalinstitution  

Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe

The Ri is on Twitter:   / ri_science  
and Facebook:   / royalinstitution  
and TikTok:   / ri_science  
Listen to the Ri podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...
Donate to the RI and help us bring you more lectures: https://www.rigb.org/support-us/donat...
Our editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks...
Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.