BRAIN WAVES
So predictable. No one likes to think they’re predictable, but we might all be more predictable than we — you guessed it — think. Researchers created a new model of artificial intelligence they called Centaur and fed it data from over 160 psychological studies. These experiments included a wide range of activities — everything from memory games to problem-solving tasks to gambling. The researchers then tested Centaur's ability to guess the choices made by participants whose data it had never seen before. Turns out the AI could predict that real human behavior with stunning accuracy. So what does this all mean? This “shows that there’s a lot of structure in human behavior,” said Russell Poldrack, a cognitive neuroscientist at Stanford University in California who helped review the study. “It really ups the bar for the power of the kinds of models that psychology should be aspiring to.”
Rethinking addiction. What does addiction look like in the brain? A massive cohort study that followed nearly 10,000 kids over time found that those who started using cannabis, cigarettes, or alcohol before the age of fifteen had distinct brain differences from those who never used drugs. But the kicker is that those differences were seen before they ever used those substances. The research, part of the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development initiative, found that early drug users had larger brains overall with more folds and grooves in the cortex—characteristics typically linked to higher intelligence but also to personality traits like curiosity and risk-taking. The finding is useful for researchers and educators looking into addiction prevention programs. Read more about it here.
Best served cold. Revenge feels sweet, but what price do we pay for seeking it out? Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
You 2.0: The Passion Pill: Behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to keep our passions alive, and how to channel old passions into new pursuits.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Julie Ort’s Story: A favorite from 2022: After a mortifying fall in physics class, Julie remembers the unexpected gift she received from a fellow student.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
HIDDEN BRAIN ON TOUR!
The Hidden Brain tour continues! Host and creator Shankar Vedantam brings seven key insights from the first decade of Hidden Brain to the stage. Come share your own thoughts and ideas with Shankar and other fans of the show.
MIND GAMES
14,500 people sit in a stadium. One of them is picked out. What are the chances that the person's birthday is on a Sunday?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
Two mothers and two daughters went out to eat. Everyone ate one burger, yet only three burgers were eaten in all. How is this possible?
The answer: The grandmother is a mother, the daughter is both a mother and a daughter, and the granddaughter is a daughter.
A MOMENT OF JOY
Turn your keyboard into a piano — because why not?
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.