Latest episode
20. THE RATIO CLUB: UK cybernetics powerhouse.
01:31:12||Season 3, Ep. 20In this special 100th episode of Brainland sometime co-host Andy Platman and Ken talk with Phil Husbands about the 'Ratio Club', a dining club of medics, mathematicians, engineers and physiologists that met regularly between 1949 and 1955 to talk cybernetics. Phil's definitive history of the group is in its final edit. The most well known member was, at the time, Grey Walter, who we talked about in an earlier episode (https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/grey-walter). After introducing 'Ratio' and its members (and why that name), Phil talks about the different disciplines of members (medic/psychiatrists, physiologists, mathematician/statisticians, engineers and other scientists), their 'no professors' rule and we discuss several in some detail (Shipton, Gold, Ashby, Turing, Good, McKay and Barlow) playing brief extracts from Phil's interviews with two (Shipton and Barlow). We also talk about psychologist Kenneth Craik whose conversations with Walter and Bates influenced their decision to meet with like-minded individuals in '49, some of the topics the club discussed and why meeting ceased in 1955. Along the way there are some great stories about these diverse characters. In an 'after-hours' section Phil asks Ken and Andy about Ratio, their musical take on the Ratio club story, currently a set of songs, broadly in folk genres, created with musical collaborators (Josh Platman, Ben Moss and Tina Cox) and the plan to build a radio play around them. Extracts from some songs are included during the main conversation with full versions in the after hours section. In short, a classic 'Brainland' melange. For the full list of club members, and to read more about the club, see Phil and Owen Holland's original paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265258561_The_Ratio_Club_A_Hub_of_British_Cybernetics/link/5406f00c0cf2c48563b28164/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19Participants:Phil Husbands, Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Sussex ( https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p1334-phil-husbands/about)Andy Platman, writer, dramatist and former GP.Ken Barrett, artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist. http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Voice extracts with the permission of Phil Husbands.Music: Opening theme composed and played by Ben Moss (https://www.benmossfolk.co.uk/), the intro to his song 'Turing', music, vocals and instrumentals by Ben, lyrics by Ken.Other songs extracts :'Gold' and 'Good' music, vocals and instrumentals by Josh Platman (https://www.joshplatman.com/about), lyric by Andy.'Shippy', sung by Tina Cox, lyric by Ken, traditional Shropshire folk tune.'Ashby', music composed and played by by Josh Platman, words and vocals by Andy.'Bates', improvised drumming by Bob Barrett, voice and words and sound design by Ken.Riso print by KB, based on sketched portraits of nine members of the Ratio Club.
More episodes
View all episodes
19. WHAT HAS GREEK TRAGEDY EVER DONE FOR US?
01:18:35||Season 3, Ep. 19Did anyone write about human psychology long before there was such a term? Yes and this season we are going to discuss five of them, beginning with three Greek tragedians. 32 of their plays have survived, written almost two and a half thousand years ago and a small sample of a thousand or so performed in the 'golden age' of Greek democracy. After talking though their historical and social context, and a brief diversion into Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey', Simon dismantles Nietzsche's influential take on Greek tragedy, favouring a more nuanced and strange take, referencing especially Euripides, whose plays mostly feature strong women (despite the fact that they were performed by men most likely to men in their thousands, part of spring festivals that featured masked performers and music). We talk Plato, who banned them from his ideal Republic, and Aristotle who reckoned he knew exactly what they were good for, but whose notion of 'catharsis' has been widely misunderstood and repurposed. After comparing Andy Burnham to Phillip of Macedonia, the sophists get a significant look in, including their influence on drama and the way they play with deception and truth. French actress Isabel Huppert makes an entrance, then Euripides translator Anne Carson and there's much more. In short, another terrific wide ranging conversation and to close, Simon reads from the opening and closing paragraphs of his book. In short, a must listen.Participants:Simon Critchley is Hans Jonas Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York City .https://simon-critchley.com/Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Simon's book 'Tragedy, the Greeks and us: https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Greeks-Us-Simon-Critchley/dp/0525564640/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IV6ZVSSA9WC9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QaqozU95ZRxDtLG5dEGBB7HA8fU4H4-FmnYggilEEO3pq2jgE-wqPXKVZXgnGQNGti9BL6V4mxOAmdjHSu1N0OM-RhtMqV5BNvVWkCyzrvtvVb_eMFwQgTGv5mQrgzEgQUaQXWLQ2V6vpgGwY7r0qUdqSMuGCwpK78bb-8xmSDARl3MunkeRR4Tl-VGdG4jgVkxJ3Vqmt55I9vsq_6UcbQ4FN4d03GlH4Il7NBIJMD8.d6ocuMesHoi8TIRhVyJY1ovRrvlCL9hNtbnz6Kb-6TQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=tragedy%2C+the+greeks+and+us&qid=1721389262&sprefix=tragedy%2C+the+greeks+and+us%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB
18. HUMANISH: The many faces of anthropomorphism
33:13||Season 3, Ep. 18In this conversation, animal behaviourist Justin Gregg talk through the many facets of our species' tendency to attribute human qualities to animals and things, as well as the opposite, to deny human qualities to classes of fellow humans. Our conversation ranges over enthusiasm for dolphin midwives, cuddly sharks and alligators and the difference between dogs and wolves. We talk about the possible effects of giving storms female names, 'companion cubes', using animals in marketing and why cartoon animal violence feels OK. Our desire to put intentions and humanish causation on the universe may explain aspects of religion a tendency even more obvious in animistic religions (Japan is the most anthropomorphising country). We also talk about the effect of not anthropomorphising, dehumanising, other humans, facilitating war and genocide. After a brief chat about Covid ghosts and a trip down the 'uncanny valley', Justin concludes by reading the closing paragraphs of his book. A terrific conversation based on a very readable and illuminating book.Participants:Justin Gregg is professor of biology at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada. https://www.justingregg.com/Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Justin's books: https://www.justingregg.com/booksMusical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB
17. EXPLORING THE AUTISTIC BRAIN
48:49||Season 3, Ep. 17In another wide ranging conversation, Prof Rajesh Kana, author of the recent book 'The Neuroscience of Autism' walks us through this potentially complex subject. After definitions we talk about overlaps with other conditions, especially ADHD, and how this is worked with in brain imaging studies. We talk about competing causal hypotheses the varied use of the MRI brain scanner to image structures, pathways, chemical concentrations and local energy use. The examination that perhaps has the most potential is pathways, relating to what has recently been labelled 'the connectome' - the more complex the behaviour or demand (and effective social interaction is demanding) the more areas of the brain effectively engaged, and so efficient connection, nerve pathways, are key. This has been applied in investigation of 'theory of mind'. Other areas discussed include gender difference in diagnosis, the importance of glial cells and animal models of autism and whether or not the concept of autism will survive into the future. Great introduction to an area of brain research still in its early stagesParticipants:Rajesh Rana is Distinguished Professor of Psychology and the Associate Dean for Graduate and Continuing Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham https://scholars.uab.edu/2730-rajesh-kanaKen Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Rajesh's book 'The neuroscience of autism' https://shop.elsevier.com/books/the-neuroscience-of-autism/kana/978-0-12-816393-1?format=print&utm_source=google_ads&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=ukpmax&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21073979696Opening and closing theme- extract from the Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB
16. SPEAK! On the neuroscience of language...
43:54||Season 3, Ep. 16In this conversation Jonathan Peelle, language researcher and author of the a recent book on the subject, ranges over many aspects of the brain origins of language. We begin by discussing nineteenth century luminaries Broca and Wernicke and the effect of the First World War on simplistic notions of localisation, revived in modified form by Penfield and Geschwind in the '50s and '60s. We talk about the various stages of understanding and using language, including non-verbal aspects of communication and non verbal language use (sign language). After discussing the various brain investigation tools used in language research, illustrated by one of Jonathan's own studies, we talk about the often unsung contribution on the cerebellum to communication (a structure that actually has four times as many neurons as the rest of the brain). We go on to talk about the effect of background noise on our ability to recall what is said and recent discoveries about the way brain electrical oscillation impacts linguistic functions. Great conversation with a real expert in the field.Participants:Jonathan Peelle is a Professor, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Health, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, USA. http://jonathanpeelle.net/https://cos.northeastern.edu/people/jonathan-peelle-2/Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Jonathan's book 'The Neuroscience of Language': https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/the-neuroscience-of-language/CC8ADEC4DCE8BB398F71BFFA1E56D124#overviewMore on Broca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_BrocaWernicke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_WernickeNorman Geschwind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_GeschwindWilder Penfield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilder_PenfieldMusical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB
15. CHESS MASTERY AND THE ART OF THINKING SIDEWAYS
48:58||Season 3, Ep. 15In this episode expert chess player Jennifer Shahade talks about the world of competitive chess and her motivation for writing her recent book 'Thinking Sideways'. In a wide ranging conversation, we discuss the changes in chess since the events depicted in the TV series 'Queen's Gambit', especially the greater involvement of children, now learning from the age of 4, and also women. We touch on discrimination and abusive behaviour in relation to the game, physical and online, some called out by Jennifer herself. Some figures from the past who were expert chess players get a mention, in fields as diverse as code-breaking (Alan Turing) and art (Marcel Duchamp), both fields in which 'thinking sideways' can be invaluable. We talk about decision trees, memory, visualisation and pattern recognition and an interesting overlap with learning dance steps. Jennifer's other skill, poker, also gets a mention and the way chess skills map onto that as well as the interesting differences. In short, a rare look into the world and mind of the chess master.Participants:Jennifer Shahade is a three-time National Chess Champion, PokerStars Ambassador and author: https://jennifershahade.com/Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Jennifer's book 'Thinking Sideways: How to think like a chess player and win at life' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Sideways-Chess-Reveals-Success-ebook/dp/B0CX4X11QSThe Netflix series 'Queen's Gambit':https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10048342/Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB
14. THE VISIONARY FICTION OF KAREL ČAPEK
44:45||Season 3, Ep. 14In this episode John Rieder, a leading authority on early science fiction and its critique of colonialism and more talks about Czech writer Karel Čapek, whose play 'RUR', 'Rossums Universal Robots', introduced the word 'robot' to the world. We discuss the way early sci fi, such as Well's 'War of the Worlds', offered a subtle critique of colonialism and uncontrolled profit/capitalism. John outlines the plots and the various subtexts of three Čapek's extraordinary novels recognised as early examples of science fiction: 'War with the Newts' (1936), 'The Absolute at Large' (1922) and Krakatit (1924), exploring the targets of his satire and his style of writing which, despite the subject matter, is most often comic. We also discuss some of Čapek's influences (he read Wells in English), his other fiction and non-fiction (detective stories, translating French poetry and biography and journalism). In short, a terrific great conversation about a visionary writer who deserves to be better known in the anglophone world. If you are a sci fi fan, check out season 2, episode 1 on Lem/Tarkosvsky's 'Solaris'. In September we are tackling Gibson's 'Neuromancer'.Participants:John Rieder is Emeritus Professor of English, University of Hawaii. https://english.hawaii.edu/faculty/john-rieder/Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/John Rieder on Karel Čapek, War with the Newts (1936) / Comic Jeremiad Journalism.” Uneven Futures, edited by Gerry Canavan, Sean Guynes, and Ida Yoshinaga. MIT Press, 2022: 99-104.The MIT Press Reader, January 30, 2023. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/on-karel-capeks-prophetic-sci-fi-novel-war-with-the-newts/More on Karel ČAPEK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karel_%C4%8CapekHis play 'RUR': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.U.R.War with the Newts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_with_the_NewtsThe Absolute at Large: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Absolute_at_LargeHis detective stories, 'Tales from two pockets': https://archive.org/details/talesfromtwopock0000cape'The gardeners's year': https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gardeners-year-9780826486257/The Solaris episode: https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/solarisOpening and closing music: Prelude to Brainland the opera by Stephen BrownBrainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB