Science AMA Series: Hi Reddit, I’m David Linden, a neuroscientist
working on brain plasticity and the editor of a new book of essays:
“Think Tank: 40 Neuroscientists Explore the Biological Roots of Human
Experience.” AMA!
Abstract
Hello Reddit, my name is David Linden and I’m a professor of
neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In my
lab, I study neural plasticity- the ability of the brain to be modified
by experience- whether from learning, hibernation, hormonal fluctuations
or injury. I have a long-standing interest in scientific communication
and have served for years as the chief editor of The Journal of
Neurophysiology. I’ve also written several books about neural function
for a general audience including The Accidental Mind (2007), The Compass
of Pleasure (2011) and Touch (2015). I find that scientists are trained
to be meticulous when they speak about their work. That’s why I like
getting my neuroscience colleagues tipsy. For years, after plying them
with spirits, I’ve been asking brain researchers the same simple
question: “What idea about brain function would you most like to
explain to the world?” I’ve been delighted with their responses. They
don’t delve into the minutiae of their latest experiments or lapse into
nerd speak. They sit up a little straighter, open their eyes a little
wider, and give clear, insightful, and often unpredictable or
counterintuitive answers. A new book I’ve edited, called “Think Tank:
40 Neuroscientists Explore the Biological Roots of Human Experience”
(Yale Press, 2018) is the result of those conversations. I’ve invited a
group of the world’s leading neuroscientists, my dream team of
thoughtful, erudite, and clear-thinking researchers, to answer that key
question in the form of a short essay. I have encouraged each author to
choose her or his own topic to tell the scientific story that she or he
is burning to share in clear and compelling language. Lets’ talk brains,
behavior and scientific communication. I look forward to having you
#AskMeAnything on April 30th, 1 PM ET.