BRAINLAND

In 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/Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB

In 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

In this episode we discuss the history and evolution of chess and how chess competence, up to grand master, is rated, including how this would stand up in a scientific research setting. We talk through the range of brain investigation studies included in their recent review and some of the technical background to those tests and limitations of their methods before moving on to the areas of difference between novice players and experts, relating to pattern recognition, memory, imagery and decision making. An interesting finding was reduced grey matter volume in key areas in experts and we talk about the way this links to findings in other skills areas before discussing the possibility that regularly playing chess might be a valuable tool in developing cognitive skills in school age children and maintaining them in older adults (both currently subject to research). Along the way there are interesting diversions into the brains of London taxi drivers, survival value of larger prefrontal areas, other studies of working memory training plus gender differences in chess interest and expertise. Where else could you hear this stuff!Samantha Brooks is professor of cognitive neuroscience, John Moores University, Liverpool UK https://profiles.ljmu.ac.uk/13546-samantha-brooks/professionalMorgan Williams is a postgraduate researcher, Leicester University, UK.Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatristhttp://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Morgan and Samantha's paper ' Neural correlates of chess expertise': https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050642525000326Also discussed: Frontiers | Review of the Neural Processes of Working Memory Training: Controlling the Impulse to Throw the Baby Out With the BathwaterThe Hans Berger, history of EEG Brainland episode: https://open.acast.com/networks/6452b6516dd22500113dc7d2/shows/6452b6516dd22500113dc7ca/episodes/6a4cc139e4f7d40f06345ebcOpening and closing music: Prelude to Brainland the opera by Stephen BrownBrainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB

In this episode we explore how post-humanist ideas and perspectives, discussed in the earlier episode with Christine Daigle (season 2, episode 7), are reflected in literature and film. Fresh from teaching a course on post-humanist literature and film, Russ Kilbourn chooses three novels and five films, the former including Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' (also discussed in detail at the end of season 2 episode 39), 'Split Tooth' by Inuit musician and writer Tanya Tagak and 'Lament for Julia by Susan Taubes. After defining 'posthumanism' Russ draws out the common threads from those narratives before moving on to his film picks including Villeneuve's 'Arrival', 'Ex machina' and 'Annihilation' by Alex Garland, Frammartino's extraordinary Italian film "Le quattro volte' and experimental film 'Upstream colour by Shaun Caruth. Our wide ranging discussion is difficult to capture in a couple of sentences. Take a listen!And if uou'd like more film chat, this is our Italian cinema podcastCapolavoro!: https://shows.acast.com/capolavoro-masterworks-of-italian-cinemaParticipants:Russell J Kilbourn is Professor in the Dept of English and Film Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada. http://rjakilbourn.com/Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatristhttp://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/Novels discussed:Frankenstein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein'Frankenstein disassembled': Brainland episode on Mary Shelley and her novel: https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/deassembling-frankenstein-the-remarkable-life-of-mary-shelleSplit Tooth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_ToothLament for Julia: https://www.the-tls.com/literature-by-region/north-american-literature/lament-for-julia-the-philosophical-pathos-of-susan-taubes-elliot-r-wolfson-book-review-jess-cottonFilms discussed: Le quattro volte https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646975/?ref_=fn_i_1Annihilation https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2798920/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_AnnihilationEx machina https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470752/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_ex%20machinaUpstream colour https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084989/Opening and closing music: Prelude to Brainland the opera by Stephen BrownBrainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukInstagram: #brainlandcollectiveSketch by KB

In this episode we talk to linguist and academic Nicoletta Asciuto about her York university module 'Found in Translation' and four of her former students. Nicoletta talks about her move from monolingual upbringing to knowledge of ten languages, her decision to teach a module about translating to English from whatever home language. She discusses the often powerful emotional effect of translation for her students, four of whom agreed to join her on the podcast to talk about their work and personal experience - translation as, by turns, mindful, calming, focussing, escapist, deeply connecting to the past/heritage, and, as a group, a safe space that nurtured confidence and acceptance. We also speak more widely about the state of mind in professional translation. Where else but Brainland?Participants:Nicoletta Asciuto, Senior Lecturer in Modern Literature, University of York, UK. https://www.york.ac.uk/english/people/nicolettaasciuto/Former students on Nicoletta's and their home nation:Anna Thyregod Wilcks (Danish);Enora Le Roux (French)Arek Prokopczyk (Polish)Ives Giulia Cappato (Italian)with a readquote from Hayley Griffiths (Welsh)Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.ukNicoletta's 'Found in Translation' module: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ENG00093H/2025-26?query=lost+in+translation&department=&creditLevel=&teachingPeriod=&isAvailableAsElective=false&isAvailableToVisitingStudents=false&electiveTheme=&offset=0&max=15Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukPortrait sketch by KB

In this episode French philosophy specialist Judith Still talks about Jacque Derrida and in particular his late preoccupation with the animal-human boundary. After surveying philosophical writing on animals going back two millennia, including related views on indigenous peoples, the enslaved and women, Judith talks about the challenges of reading Derrida. We discuss his early life, as a Jewish boy in Algeria, excluded from education in the Vichy period. We deconstruct deconstruction (sort of) before touching on his notion of 'leaving a trace', whether birds create something akin to symphonies and anyway their superiority to us, along with dolphins, in navigating the sound/spatial world. We make brief excursion into the notion of animal art, zoopolitics, factory farming and and the ethics of pedigree dog breeding in an episode that makes an often obscure and challenging subject and writer comprehensible.Participants:Judith Still, Emeritus Professor of French and Critical Theory, University of Nottingham, Vice President (Humanities), British Academy. https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/clas/departments/modern-languages/people/judith.still1 Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.ukJudith's book, 'Derrida and other animals: The boundaries of the human:https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/media/resources/9780748680986_Derrida_and_Other_Animals_-_Introduction.pdfMusical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukPortrait sketch by KB

In this extraordinarily wide ranging podcast, we talk about doubles from the point of view of psychopathology, neuroscience, and what they tell us about the nature of self. Our neuroscience discussion includes the work of Head, Schilder, Damasio (around the idea of body schema/representations in the brain and their implication - a kind of neural double) followed by a fascinating deviation into Melzak's exploration of the phantom limb and the 'neural matrix' that may underlie it. Our 'double in literature' chat ranges from Euripides over 2 millenia ago to Patrick McGrath's 1999 novel 'Spider' by way of a Scottish gothic tale from 1824. Femi gives an overview of Alfred Hitchcock's double-obsessed oeuvre before discussing the Wachowski brother's 'Matrix' (1999), a kind of thought experiment on the nature of the self, detached from the brain. We end with an 'out of hours' chat about clinical cases. Brainland was created as a platform for this type of terrific conversation.Participants:Oluwafemi (Femi) Oyebode, Honorary Prof of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham, UK https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/clinical-sciences/oyebode-femiKen Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.ukFemi's book 'Doppelganger': https://www.cambridgebookshop.co.uk/products/doppelganger?srsltid=AfmBOopUtJI3sepHVB0Vvakdh03zDbmDMPjwH2pfiErw9CJ2RkqX7PinNovels discussed:James Hogg, Private memoires and confessions of a justified sinner ( ). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Private_Memoirs_and_Confessions_of_a_Justified_SinnerPatrick McGrath's Spider (1990): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_(novel)Frigyes Karinthy's A Journey Round my Skull (1937): https://archive.org/details/bwb_W8-BJJ-568Penfield and Jaspers Epilepsy and the Functional Anatomy of the Human Brain: https://archive.org/details/epilepsyfunction0000penfPaul Schilder's The image and the appearance of the human body. (1935) https://archive.org/details/schilder-paul.-the-image-and-appearance-of-the-human-bodyFilms discussed:Alfred Hitchock's double obsession: https://indie-outlook.com/2014/06/06/our-mirrors-selves-the-hitchcock-double/The Matrix (1999): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_MatrixBrainland podcast on the novel and film Solaris: https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/solarisMusical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukportrait sketch by KB

Leading ethicist/philosopher Jonathan D. Moreno makes a welcome return to Brainland to discuss his recently published and compelling book 'ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL: Bioethics and the Rules-based Order'. We talk about the history of clinical and bioethic and outline their main components in application to humans. Topics discussed include the Nuremberg trials and why it took 20 years before a consensus in the medical profession, the currently accepted 'ethical principles' and how long term and ethically flawed studies on syphilis triggered them. Jonathan also talks about the notion of 'invisible colleges', the relatively recent requirement for medics to fully inform patients of their diagnosis and prognosis, and the importance of invitro-fertilisation, plus more recently CRISPR gene editing, in reshaping guidelines and policy. We also discuss the wider application of ethics to the biosphere, including the growth of the anti-vivisection movement in the late 19th century. To conclude Jonathan reads the closing, summing up, paragraph of his book. Essential listening!Participants:Jonathan D. Moreno is Emeritus Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, of History and Sociology of Science, and of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania.https://pikprofessors.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/2021-10/moreno-cv.pdfKen Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatristhttp://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.ukJonathan's book 'Absolutely Essential: Bioethics and the Rules Based Order'.:https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262553377/absolutely-essential/Also discussed on the podcast:DARPA: https://www.darpa.mil/Jonathan's earlier book on military and intelligence funding of neuroscience: MIND WARS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Wars-Science-Military-Century/dp/193413743XJonathan's last visit to Brainalnd to talk about Mind Wars: https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/mind-wars Musical extract: Prelude from Act 1 of Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown.Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukportrait sketch by KB

In this episode Christine Daigle, a leading figure in posthumanist philosophy and material feminism, begins by defining those terms before unpacking some of the ideas in her recent book 'Posthumanist Vulnerability: An affirmative ethics'. The humanist and Christian traditions both privilege the human, particularly the male human, in the sense of having 'dominion' over the rest of nature and, too often, women. Posthumanism breaks away from this and material feminism is concerned with the physical and material/economic constraints on women (really oversimplifying - listen to Christine's version). We move on to discuss the unusual structure of the book which, in addition to philosophy includes nine 'meanderings', more personal glimpses of her life, interactions with nature and trauma. Christine talks about her word 'transjective' used to highlight the permeability of the supposedly objective and subjective views and the origin of the term 'vulnerability' (the Latin word for wound). After brief diversion into Deleuze and Guattari, and 'joyful affirmation' we conclude with a reading of from the closing chapter of "Posthuman Vulnerability'. In short, a complex subject made digestible!Participants: Christine Daigle, professor of philosophy, Brock University, Ontario, Canada. https://brocku.ca/humanities/philosophy/christine-daigle/Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer and retired neuropsychiatrist: http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.ukChristine's books:Posthumanist Vulnerability: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/posthumanist-vulnerability-9781350302884/Opening and closing music: Prelude to the opera Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.ukPortrait sketch by KB.