Your Brain. Your Decision. The Neuroscience Of Choice
This week: We talk to Jonah Lehrer, the author of “How We Decide” a new book on the neuroscience behind decision-making. He examines the latest research on how humans make decisions — from picking a breakfast cereal to choosing a mate.
Jonah has a lot to say about something called the certainty trap, about the reckless decisions that led to the global financial meltdown, and why sometimes it’s possible to think too much about a decision.
Today, we’re also rolling out our interactive science forum. What is that, you ask? It’s a place where you can meet some of the world’s top scientists and science writers.
Like Jonah. Jonah will be our first guest, and we’ll be talking about decisions and how we decide. He’ll check in regularly, commenting, and responding to your comments.
Tell us what you think — or ask Jonah a question. Email us.
How do you make decisions? Deliberately? Instinctually? Dysfunctionally?
How much self-control do you have? Do you really have free will, or are your neurons simply doing what they’re programmed to do?
Science Chat: After a week off, our roundup of research news with Elsa Youngsteadt is back!
• Icelandic cod are in trouble. Check out the study and see which fish are still harvested sustainably.
• French chemists have found in wine the chemical fingerprint of oak barrels that came from specific forests. (The study.)
• More decisions! Brain scans reveal what kinds of strategies people use during while gambling. (The study.)
Links:
More on the 1973 Arab-Israeli War
A tribute to Herbert Simon
Jonah’s New Yorker article on delayed gratification
Songs:
Aimee Mann, Choice in the Matter
The Clash, Should I Stay or Should I Go
