February 24, 2014

This is Your Brain on a Laser Beam

It's mathematically possible for your consciousness to exist without your body.

We are closer to achieving science fiction: your brain–your personality, your mind, your soul, your entire being–may one day be available on a disc. It’s mathematically possible for your consciousness to exist without your body. This big idea and the research that supports it is explored in the chapter “Mind Beyond Matter” in Michio Kaku’s latest book The Future of the Mind, released Tuesday. Catch him Tuesday night on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

Up Next

Surprising Science

Where’s Our Super-Fast Internet?

Google wants to develop super-fast internet across the country known as gigabit broadband. We covered Google’s announcement in March 2010, but it looks like it’s facing hurdles from both telecom […]