David Eagleman author photo
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David Eagleman

Born: April 25, 1971 – Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

David Eagleman is an American neuroscientist, author, and science communicator whose work explores the brain, perception, consciousness, and time. He is known for Incognito, The Brain, Livewired, and the novel Sum. His books have become international bestsellers and have been translated into dozens of languages.

Biography & Author's Journey

David Eagleman grew up in New Mexico and came of age at Albuquerque Academy, carrying an early fascination with perception and time that he later linked to a childhood fall from a roof, when a brief event seemed to stretch in his mind. His formal path was not linear. At Rice University he studied British and American literature, spent a junior year at Oxford, and only in his final semester discovered neuroscience, which he later described as his calling. He then earned a PhD in neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine and completed postdoctoral work at the Salk Institute. ((https://www.aa.edu/2024/10/21/what-makes-david-eagleman-89-so-driven/))

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Quotes

quote
Our experience of reality is constrained by our biology
-TED Talk: Can We Create New Senses for Humans?
quote
Humans are real storytelling animals: most of our lives we live in narrative form
-Meet the Author
quote
Our brains are like a neural parliament: we've got all these competing political parties fighting for control
-It's a Mistake to Think of Ourselves as Individuals
quote
I think what a life in science really teaches you is the vastness of our ignorance
-We Won't Die
quote
The important part about brains, the theory goes, is not the structure, it is about the algorithms that ride on top of the structure
-Silicon Immortality
quote
The conscious mind is like a broom closet in the mansion of the brain
-Math & Magic
quote
Time perception, just like vision, is a construction of the brain and is shockingly easy to manipulate experimentally
-Brain Time
quote
Instead of letting legislation ride on the winds of intuition and reaction, let's make our legislation evidence-based
-Why Public Dissemination of Science Matters

Discover more

The Architecture of Consciousness
LEARNING PLAN

The Architecture of Consciousness

This plan bridges ancient non-dual philosophy with modern science to decode the nature of being. It is ideal for seekers, psychology students, and neurobiology enthusiasts looking to integrate spiritual depth with cognitive understanding.

1 h 36 m4 Sections
Oliver sacks and Alex boese
LEARNING PLAN

Oliver sacks and Alex boese

This learning plan bridges the gap between neurological observation and skeptical inquiry, offering a unique look at how our brains process reality. It is ideal for curious minds, students of psychology, and anyone looking to sharpen their critical thinking skills against modern misinformation.

5 h 10 m4 Sections
The Science of Near-Death Experiences
LEARNING PLAN

The Science of Near-Death Experiences

This plan bridges the gap between spirituality and neuroscience, offering a data-driven look at the brain's final frontier. It is ideal for medical students, psychology enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the biological triggers of consciousness during extreme trauma.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
understanding the human brain and love
LEARNING PLAN

understanding the human brain and love

This plan bridges the gap between neuroscience and emotional intelligence, offering a scientific lens on why we love and connect. It is ideal for individuals seeking to improve their relationships by understanding the biological and psychological roots of human behavior.

5 h 28 m4 Sections
The Dark Mechanics of Meaning
LEARNING PLAN

The Dark Mechanics of Meaning

This plan provides a provocative look at the biological and psychological traps of the human search for significance. It is ideal for students of philosophy, psychology, or anyone seeking to build mental fortitude by confronting the reality of an indifferent universe.

2 h4 Sections
Inside the Criminal Mind
LEARNING PLAN

Inside the Criminal Mind

This plan offers a deep dive into forensic psychology and behavioral analysis for those fascinated by criminology. It is essential for aspiring investigators, legal professionals, or true crime enthusiasts seeking to understand the 'why' behind the world's most complex crimes.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
The Evolution of Human Expression
LEARNING PLAN

The Evolution of Human Expression

This plan provides a deep philosophical dive into how human creativity has mirrored cultural shifts over millennia. It is ideal for art historians, philosophers, and curious minds looking to understand the intersection of technology, spirituality, and visual culture.

2 h 30 m5 Sections
Unus Mundus: Bridging Psyche and Cosmos
LEARNING PLAN

Unus Mundus: Bridging Psyche and Cosmos

This plan is essential for those seeking to bridge the gap between analytical science and deep psychological exploration. It is ideal for students of Jungian psychology, physics enthusiasts, and anyone looking to achieve personal healing through the lens of universal interconnectedness.

2 h4 Sections

Community Voices

"David Eagleman may be the best combination of scientist and fiction-writer alive"

Stewart Brand

"David Eagleman keeps the readers without medical degrees in mind in this pop science tome"

The National

"Eagleman aims, grandly, to do for the study of the mind what Copernicus did for the study of the stars"

Observer

"Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down consciousness"

The New Yorker

"Eagleman’s skill as teacher, bold vision, and command of current research will make this superb work a curious reader’s delight"

Publishers Weekly

"Eagleman is a neuroscientist, that must have helped, but Sum has the unaccountable, jaw-dropping quality of genius"

The Guardian

"David Eagleman is a 'Super Scientist' who has published Incognito and Sum"

The Independent

"Eagleman has a wealth of such observations, backed up with case studies, bits of pop culture, literary references and historic examples"

Kirkus Reviews

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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