Q&A with Terrence Sejnowski

So what do you do to help yourself learn more easily, when you're looking at something completely new? >>

Well I like to get into the thick of it. I don't get much out of just going and reading a lot of books. And, when I was in Graduate School, I made a transition from Physics to Biology. And the way I did it was to get into a Biology lab. And get involved in experiments. And I, I'm a firm believer in learning by doing, and learning by osmosis from people who are experts.

So, what do you do to get into and take advantage of diffuse mode thinking?

2:47 I find that when I'm jogging, or out getting exercise, that it's a wonderful way to get the mind disengaged, from the normal train of thought. And I find that it's very very possible to to sort of come up with new thoughts, new ideas. And it's almost as if your brain goes into a new mode, you're running along, things are passing you by. And you start thinking about what's happening. For example, things that, that your brain has been working on, your out of conscious thoughts bubble to the surface. And often new ideas that are going to be then helpful to you later on.

Neurons

Rusty discovered that, in an important part of your brain for learning, and memory, the Hippocampus. And which is located right in the middle here, of this model brain. 7:05 New neurons are being born, even in your adulthood. 7:10 And, this, this is very important for learning and memory. It is obviously something that is very, very useful to be able to have new neurons. 7:21 Now here's what we discovered together.

having an enriched environment is, is, is even as an adult is going to help you. Right? Instead of locking yourself, a monk in the room you really want to be surrounded by other people who are stimulating you. And events that are happening that you can actively participate in, so, so that important

Running

in the absence of an enriched environment exercise will also increase the number of new neurons that are being born and survive. And, so I, am very, avid at running.

I've already mentioned that I get lots of good ideas when I run, but I also, know, that my brain is, helping me remember things, because of the fact that I have new neurons being born, and surviving in my hippocampus.

Excercise and schools

its a pity if you look at the way our, our new educational reforms and schools. What do they cut out when they want to add a new, a, session for example learning something, for example, how to pass a test, right. Tests are being given now to help assess, how well a student is doing and how well a school is doing. Well, it's recess. And what happens during a recess? Exercise. It's running around. It's exactly what you need, what your brain needs. It needs that moment of pause of, of using your muscles rather than your brain. To be able to process that information and to, and, and get the neurons working on it. So I think that this is, again something that is, should be a policy that we need to have our children out there running around.

Have there been any special techniques you've acquired over the years that help you focus, learn or create more effectively

I find that, being in a, a creative environment, where other people, are, creative is, is, a way of, enhancing your own creativity. I, I think that.

Although the image we have of the creative thinker as being isolated genius may be true of some people, it's not true of me. I really find that I have better ideas if I'm talking to somebody, and trying to explain to them my ideas. Often, that process can, it boosts the creative process and the facts, I think that you know, having other people around to bounce your ideas off of is really for me a very, very important part of doing science.

Success

But I know a lot of people, who are very, very passionate. 12:54 And persistent. A lot of success in life is that passion and persistence, of really staying the course, staying working on it, and, not letting go. Not giving up. That's really, I think the most important, quality that I see in students, that I work with, who are successful.

powers of 10 view

start by 10 feet above, 100, 1000, until you reachg thte cosmos. Then do the same for the infinitely small.