The Secret Life of “Aha!” Moments And Why We Remember Them
A sudden flash of understanding can feel magical. But new research shows that “Aha!” moments are more than just a feeling, they reshape our brains in ways that make those discoveries stick.
Behaviour
The language of depression isn’t universal
Scroll through any social media feed and you’ll find people sharing their highs and lows, sometimes openly, sometimes between the lines. For years, researchers have hoped that artificial intelligence (AI) could learn to recognize early signs of depression from our words. The idea is simple and powerful: if language carries emotional fingerprints, algorithms might one day detect distress before it becomes a crisis.
But what if these systems end up hearing some experiences more clearly than others?
The super-social beings that we are.
“Humans are social animals” is an understatement. In this blog, we dive into why humans are super-social animals and why we need to study the human brain beyond the individual and in the context of the culture that has evolved it.
Dear AI chatbots, enough with the flattery
Were you called a genius, visionary, or brilliant by an LLM (large language model) based on the last idea you discussed with it? But deep down, you know that the idea was half-baked and needed major refinement? The over-the-top ego massage may lead to an egoistic society. Read further to know why and how to stop it.
How our brains use stereotypes: A peek into the science of social communication
Stereotypes help us navigate social situations, but they can also mislead us. What happens when our assumptions clash with reality? Using a unique communication game, researchers reveal how feedback reshapes our behavior and how early experiences influence our ability to adapt.
You’re not surrounded by idiots, but please, don’t be the idiot
The book Surrounded by Idiots tries to explain human behavior by dividing people into four color-coded categories, but completely lacks validity. You are not surrounded by idiots, and let’s now also make sure you are not being the idiot yourself.
Why so funny?
What makes a joke funny? What goes on in our brains when we produce or conceive a joke?
The Times Square effect
As I was walking through the streets of Manhattan, I experienced what I call the “Times Square effect”: too many things to sense at once. It put me in this contemplation state where I am both fascinated and overwhelmed by my surroundings.
Death through the eyes of an animal
Grief isn’t just a human emotion; animals show similar behaviors when facing loss. From elephants mourning their fallen to dolphins carrying their deceased calves, exploring animal grief offers profound insights into our shared experiences with death.
About the road not taken
Robert Frost beautifully sets the context through his poem for this article, “Two roads diverged