BJKS Podcast

Benjamin James Kuper-Smith

A podcast about neuroscience, psychology, and anything vaguely related. Long-form interviews with people whose work I find interesting.

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113. Damian Blasi: Over-reliance on English hinders cognitive science, linguistic diversity, how to study a language you don't speak
Damian Blasi is a professor at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. We talk about his article 'Over-reliance on English hinders cognitive science', linguistic diversity, how to study across the world's languages, his career path, and much more.BJKS Podcast is a podcast about neuroscience, psychology, and anything vaguely related, hosted by Benjamin James Kuper-Smith.Support the show: https://geni.us/bjks-patreonTimestamps0:00:00: Why Damian studied physics0:06:31: How to deal with small, sparse, incomplete, imbalanced, noisy, and non-independent observational data0:09:38: Evolutionary advantages of different languages0:14:01: How Damian started doing research on linguistics0:20:09: How to study a language you don't speak0:28:58: Start discussing Damian's paper 'Over-reliance on English hinders cognitive science'0:48:25: What can experimental scientists do about the vast differences between cultures, especially of difficult to reach peoples? And how different are languages and cultures really?1:10:15: Why is New Guinea so (linguistically) diverse?1:17:34: Should I learn a common or a rare language? And where?1:29:09: A book or paper more people should read1:32:31: Something Damian wishes he'd learnt sooner1:33:56: Advice for PhD students/postdocsPodcast linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-podBlueSky: https://geni.us/pod-bskyDamian's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/blasi-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/blasi-scholarBlueSky: https://geni.us/blasi-bskyBen's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/bjks-scholarBlueSky: https://geni.us/bjks-bskyReferencesWorld Atlas of Languages: https://en.wal.unesco.org/world-atlas-languagesThe Andamanese group that's hostile to strangers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinelese"the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito_surrender_broadcastBakker (2022). The sounds of life.Blasi ... Neubig (2021). Systematic inequalities in language technology performance across the world's languages. arXiv.Blasi ... Bickel (2019). Human sound systems are shaped by post-Neolithic changes in bite configuration. Science.Blasi ... Majid (2022). Over-reliance on English hinders cognitive science. Trends in cognitive sciences.Everett (2023). A myriad of tongues.Floyd ... Enfield (2018). Universals and cultural diversity in the expression of gratitude. Royal Society Open Science.Gordon (2004). Numerical cognition without words: Evidence from Amazonia. Science.Hossenfelder (2018). Lost in math.Koyama & Rubin (2022). How the world became rich.Nettle (1998). Explaining global patterns of language diversity. Journal of anthropological archaeology.Pica ... Dehaene (2004). Exact and approximate arithmetic in an Amazonian indigene group. Science.Skirgård ... Gray (2023). Grambank reveals the importance of genealogical constraints on linguistic diversity and highlights the impact of language loss. Science Advances.
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1:41:09
112. Gordon Pennycook: From Carrot River to Cornell, misinformation, and reducing conspiracy beliefs
Gordon Pennycook is an Associate Professor at Cornell University. We talk about his upbringing in rural Northern Canada, how he got into academia, and his work on misinformation: why people share it and what can be done about it.BJKS Podcast is a podcast about neuroscience, psychology, and anything vaguely related, hosted by Benjamin James Kuper-Smith.Support the show: https://geni.us/bjks-patreonTimestamps0:00:00: Straight outta Carrot River: From Northern Canada to publishing in Nature0:37:01: Exploration vs focusing on one topic: finding your research topic0:48:57: A sense of having made it0:54:17: Why apply reasoning research to religion?0:59:45: Starting working on misinformation 1:08:20: Defining misinformation, disinformation, and fake news1:15:52: Social media, the consumption of news, and Bayesian updating1:24:48: Reasons for why people share misinformation1:35:57: Are social media companies listening to Pennycook et al?1:38:19: Using AI to change conspiracy beliefs1:44:59: A book or paper more people should read1:46:33: Something Gordon wishes he'd learnt sooner1:48:12: Advice for PhD students/postdocsPodcast linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-podBlueSky: https://geni.us/pod-bskyGordon's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/pennycook_webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/pennycook-scholarBlueSky: https://geni.us/pennycook-bskyBen's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/bjks-scholarReferencesCostello, Pennycook & Rand (2024). Durably reducing conspiracy beliefs through dialogues with AI. Science.Dawkins (2006). The God Delusion.MacLeod, ... & Ozubko (2010). The production effect: delineation of a phenomenon. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition.Nowak & Highfield (2012). Supercooperators: Altruism, evolution, and why we need each other to succeed.Pennycook, ... & Fugelsang (2012). Analytic cognitive style predicts religious and paranormal belief. Cognition.Pennycook, Fugelsang & Koehler (2015). What makes us think? A three-stage dual-process model of analytic engagement. Cognitive Psychology.Pennycook, Cheyne, Barr, Koehler & Fugelsang (2015). On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshit. Judgment and Decision making.Pennycook & Rand (2019). Lazy, not biased: Susceptibility to partisan fake news is better explained by lack of reasoning than by motivated reasoning. Cognition.Pennycook & Rand (2021). The psychology of fake news. Trends in cognitive sciences.Rand (2016). Cooperation, fast and slow: Meta-analytic evidence for a theory of social heuristics and self-interested deliberation. Psychological Science.Stanovich (2005). The robot's rebellion: Finding meaning in the age of Darwin.Tappin, Pennycook & Rand (2020). Thinking clearly about causal inferences of politically motivated reasoning: Why paradigmatic study designs often undermine causal inference. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences.Thompson, Turner & Pennycook (2011). Intuition, reason, and metacognition. Cognitive Psychology.
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1:50:21
111. Renzo Huber: Layer-fMRI, high-resolution fMRI, and the delicate balance between gourmet chef and janitor
Renzo Huber is a staff scientist at NIH. We talk about his work on layer-fMRI: what it is, how Renzo got into it, how to do it, when it makes sense to do it, what the future holds, and much more.Support the show: https://geni.us/bjks-patreonTimestamps0:00:00: How Renzo got into high-resolution fMRI0:11:28: The difference between 3T and 7T fMRI0:22:46: Is a bigger fMRI scanner always better?0:33:35: Layer-fMRI0:56:28: For what types of research is layer-fMRI most useful?1:02:35: How to do layer-fMRI and make it reproducible1:19:21: The future of layer-fMRI1:27:02: A book or paper more people should read1:30:37: Something Renzo wishes he'd learnt sooner1:33:11: Advice for PhD students/postdocsPodcast linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-podTwitter: https://geni.us/bjks-pod-twtRenzo's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/huber-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/huber-scholarTwitter: https://geni.us/huber-twtBen's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/bjks-scholarTwitter: https://geni.us/bjks-twtReferences and links mentionedEpisode with Peter Bandettini: https://geni.us/bjks-bandettiniEpisode with Emily Finn: https://geni.us/bjks-finnRenzo's blog about layer fMRI: https://layerfmri.com/YouTube channel on layer fMRI: https://www.youtube.com/@layerfmri/Bastos, ... & Friston (2012). Canonical microcircuits for predictive coding. Neuron.Bollmann & Barth (2021). New acquisition techniques and their prospects for the achievable resolution of fMRI. Progress in Neurobiology.Boulant, ... & Le Bihan (2024). In vivo imaging of the human brain with the Iseult 11.7-T MRI scanner. Nature Methods.Finn, ... & Bandettini (2019). Layer-dependent activity in human prefrontal cortex during working memory. Nature Neuroscience.Feynman (1985). "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!": adventures of a curious character.Haarsma, Kok & Browning (2022). The promise of layer-specific neuroimaging for testing predictive coding theories of psychosis. Schizophrenia Research.Huber, ... & Bandettini (2017). High-resolution CBV-fMRI allows mapping of laminar activity and connectivity of cortical input and output in human M1. Neuron.Huber, ... & Möller (2019). Non-BOLD contrast for laminar fMRI in humans: CBF, CBV, and CMRO2. Neuroimage.Huber, ... & Bandettini (2020). Sub-millimeter fMRI reveals multiple topographical digit representations that form action maps in human motor cortex. Neuroimage.Huber, ... & Kronbichler (2023). Evaluating the capabilities and challenges of layer-fMRI VASO at 3T. Aperture Neuro.Huber, ... & Horovitz (2023). Laminar VASO fMRI in focal hand dystonia patients. Dystonia.Persichetti, ... & Martin (2020). Layer-specific contributions to imagined and executed hand movements in human primary motor cortex. Current Biology.Polimeni, ... & Wald (2010). Laminar analysis of 7 T BOLD using an imposed spatial activation pattern in human V1. Neuroimage.
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1:36:54
110. Ella Marushchenko: Scientific illustrations, digital vs. classic art, and how to improve scientific figures
Ella Marushchenko is a scientific illustrator who runs a studio of artists and scientists that creates cover art, scientific and illustrations, and more. We talk about her unlikely path from artist in Russia to scientific illustrator in the US, digital vs classic art, how to interact as scientists with illustrators, how to improve scientific figures, and much more.BJKS Podcast is a podcast about neuroscience, psychology, and anything vaguely related, hosted by Benjamin James Kuper-Smith.Support the show: https://geni.us/bjks-patreonTimestamps0:00:00: Ella's unlikely path to doing scientific illustrations0:33:17: Running a studio for scientific illustrations0:36:30: The process of commissioning a scientific figure0:46:44: The changing landscape of scientific publications and communication0:50:15: Unhelpful things to avoid when interacting with a science illustrator0:59:06: Who are scientific illustrations for?1:06:36: The purpose of illustrations in science1:16:09: How to learn to improve scientific figures1:22:30: How to become a scientific illustrator1:26:10: A book or paper more people should read1:27:48: Something Ella wishes she'd learnt sooner1:29:10: Advice for PhD students/postdocsPodcast linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-podTwitter: https://geni.us/bjks-pod-twtElla's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/marushchenko-webTwitter: https://geni.us/marushchenko-twtBen's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/bjks-scholarTwitter: https://geni.us/bjks-twtReferences and linksSome pictures by Sergey Krasnov: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sergey_krasnov/Sergiy Minko: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TMotc_wAAAAJScience diagrams that look like shitposts: https://x.com/scienceshitpostMy photo of the elephant at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle: https://www.bjks.blog/nature/3n6ljuy6noa5470tdsbcuicltu48dfEpisode about Cajal: https://geni.us/bjks-ehrlich Bulgakov (1967). The Master and Margarita.
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1:32:11
109. Roberto Bottini: Cognitive maps, visual impairment, and image spaces
Roberto Bottini is an Associate Professor at the University of Trento. We talk about his recent work on unusual cognitive maps in blind people, image spaces, metaphors, and he gives me some advice for writing successful grant applications.BJKS Podcast is a podcast about neuroscience, psychology, and anything vaguely related, hosted by Benjamin James Kuper-Smith.Support the show: https://geni.us/bjks-patreonTimestamps0:00:00: Roberto's background0:03:20: Start discussing Roberto's paper on altered grid cells in visually impaired people: theoretical background0:16:28: Methods & results: walking on a clock face / altered grid cells: fourfold symmetry0:47:48: Start discussing Roberto's paper on cognitive maps and image spaces (TiCS)0:52:05: Egocentric and allocentric perspectives0:55:27: Metaphors and analogies1:00:08: Tips for grant applications1:14:18: A book or paper that more people should read1:18:38: Something Roberto wishes he'd learnt sooner1:20:30: Advice for PhD students/postdocsPodcast linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-podTwitter: https://geni.us/bjks-pod-twtRoberto's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bottini-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/bottini-scholarTwitter: https://geni.us/bottini-twtBen's linksWebsite: https://geni.us/bjks-webGoogle Scholar: https://geni.us/bjks-scholarTwitter: https://geni.us/bjks-twtReferencesAronov, ... & Tank (2017). Mapping of a non-spatial dimension by the hippocampal–entorhinal circuit. Nature.Bisiach & Luzzatti (1978). Unilateral neglect of representational space. Cortex.Bottini & Doeller (2020). Knowledge across reference frames: Cognitive maps and image spaces. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.Casasanto (2009). Embodiment of abstract concepts: good and bad in right-and left-handers. Journal of experimental psychology: General.Constantinescu, ... & Behrens (2016). Organizing conceptual knowledge in humans with a gridlike code. Science.Derdikman, ... & Moser (2009). Fragmentation of grid cell maps in a multicompartment environment. Nature neuroscience.Eichenbaum (2014). Time cells in the hippocampus: a new dimension for mapping memories. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.Gardenfors (2004). Conceptual spaces: The geometry of thought.Gentner (1983). Structure-mapping: A theoretical framework for analogy. Cognitive science.He & Brown (2019). Environmental barriers disrupt grid-like representations in humans during navigation. Current Biology.Horner, ... & Burgess (2016). Grid-like processing of imagined navigation. Current Biology.Jaynes (1976). The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.Park, ... & Boorman (2021). Inferences on a multidimensional social hierarchy use a grid-like code. Nature Neuroscience.Sigismondi, ... & Bottini (2024). Altered grid-like coding in early blind people. Nature Communications.Stangl, ... & Wolbers (2018). Compromised grid-cell-like representations in old age as a key mechanism to explain age-related navigational deficits. Current Biology.Tolman (1948). Cognitive maps in rats and men. Psychological Review.Whittington, ... & Behrens (2022). How to build a cognitive map. Nature Neuroscience.
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