Certain brain disorders can lead to remarkable insights….even genius. We’ll peer into the world of autistic savants and dyslexics, and contemplate our cyborg future, when our brains merge with tiny, embedded computers. Also, one of the most fascinating investigations of consciousness: Stanislav Grof’s pioneering study of LSD. Segment 1Daniel Tammet, Savant LifeDaniel Tammet has memorized the number pi into the tens of thousands of digits. He’s learned new languages in a few weeks. He describes the gift—and the burden—of being an autistic savant. http://www.nourfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/048-Meet-Your-Mind—A-Users-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Consciousness—Extraordinary-Minds—Daniel-Tammet-Savant-Life.mp3 Segment 2Darold Treffert on Extraordinary BrainsPsychiatrist Darold Treffert regards savants as “islands of genius.” He talks about a lifetime of studying savant syndrome. http://www.nourfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/049-Meet-Your-Mind—A-Users-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Consciousness—Extraordinary-Minds—Darold-Treffert-on-Extraordinary-Brains.mp3 Segment 3Aubrey Ralph on Mental IllnessAubrey Ralph is an audio engineer and radio producer. He’s also bipolar. Having a mental illness has made him acutely aware of how schizophrenics can shape and distort reality. http://www.nourfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/050-Meet-Your-Mind—A-Users-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Consciousness—Extraordinary-Minds—Aubrey-Ralph-on-Mental-Illness.mp3 Segment 4Stanislav Grof on Non-Ordinary ConsciousnessLong before Timothy Leary’s study of LSD, psychiatrist Stanislav Grof launched his own investigation of psychedelics. Since then he’s devoted his life to exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness. http://www.nourfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/051-Meet-Your-Mind—A-Users-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Consciousness—Extraordinary-Minds—Stanislav-Grof-on-Non-Ordinary-Consciousness.mp3 Segment 5Maryanne Wolf on The Reading BrainSome of the world’s most celebrated scientists and artists have been dyslexic. Cognitive scientist Maryanne Wolf says dyslexia can be a gift, but schools must learn how to teach dyslexics to read. http://www.nourfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/052-Meet-Your-Mind—A-Users-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Consciousness—Extraordinary-Minds—Maryanne-Wolf-on-The-Reading-Brain.mp3 Segment 6Ray Kurzweil on Our Cyborg FutureRay Kurzweil believes we’ll soon have tiny computers embedded in our brains. He says we’re on the verge of a new era in evolution—a fusion of biology and machine technology. http://www.nourfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/053-Meet-Your-Mind—A-Users-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Consciousness—Extraordinary-Minds—Ray-Kurzweil-on-Our-Cyborg-Future.mp3 November 4, 2012 Mind and Brain November 11, 2012 Memory and Forgetting November 18, 2012 Wiring the Brain November 25, 2012 The Creative Brain December 2, 2012 Extraordinary Minds December 9, 2012 Higher Consciousness Sponsors MorePREVIOUS EVENTThe Creative BrainNEXT EVENTHigher Consciousness