Sciencespeaking topic
Neurogenesis: even in the adult brain, new neurons are born in the hippocampus. If the belief that brain cells don't regenerate is wrong, can learning and exercise physically grow our brain?
— adult neurogenesis
practice with this topic
Set the timer (5-30 min), take 20 seconds of prep if you like, start talking. Jot your thoughts onto the sticky-note board.
similar topics
- Muscle soreness isn't from lactic acid: the lactate once blamed is cleared within hours, and the delayed soreness we feel comes from micro-tears in the muscle. Why did we blame lactate for decades?
- No species in nature saves resources for fear that they'll run out in the future; every creature uses today to the limit, yet balance lasts for millions of years. How is sustainability possible without any planning?
- Caffeine doesn't cut off sleepiness, it 'hides' it: it blocks the adenosine receptors in the brain while adenosine keeps building up. Why are we twice as tired once the coffee wears off?
- Incommensurability: for Kuhn, scientists in different paradigms may use the same words but talk about different things. Can two scientists ever truly understand each other?
- Research programmes: for Lakatos, a theory has a hard core surrounded by a protective belt. When should we abandon a theory, and when is it reasonable to stay loyal to it?