Curated Video
Unintended Consequences
UC Berkeley psychologist Stephen Hinshaw explains the thinking behind his research that public policy for school accountability in the United States inadvertently played a key role in raising the rate of ADHD diagnoses.
Tom Nicholas
Literary Texts: Introduction to Cultural Texts and Roland Barthes' From Work to Text
Roland Barthes' From Work to Text is a seminal essay which lays out why, in the humanities, we have come to refer to pieces of literature, films and many other things using the catch-all term "text". Because, we refer a lot to reading a...
Tom Nicholas
Postcolonialism - WTF? An Intro to Postcolonial Theory
In this month's episode of What the Theory?, we're diving into postcolonialism with an intro to postcolonial theory in literature, film and culture. We'll be looking at the ideas of Edward Said (as laid out in his book Orientalism),...
Tom Nicholas
Postdramatic Theatre - WTF?
A brief introduction to postdramatic and postmodern theatre as first theorised by Hans Theis Lehmann. The first in a series in which I briefly (and, hopefully, accessibly) introduce some core academic concepts and ideas. In this first...
Tom Nicholas
Postmodernism - WTF? An introduction to Postmodernist Theory
What is postmodernism? This is certainly my most requested What the Theory? video yet. In it, I hope to provide an introduction to postmodernist theory and postmodernist philosophy. Along the way, we'll look at simulacra and...
Curated Video
Bioluminescence and Evolution
Marine biologist Edie Widder at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association describes how bioluminescence can beautifully demonstrate the mechanics of evolution.
Curated Video
Bad Assumptions
Lisa Feldman Barrett, Northeastern University, describes how the concept of variability is a key concept to understanding the brain that has been consistently overlooked as we developed invalid assumptions of brain processing based upon...
Curated Video
Science and Culture
Celebrated physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed (Institute for Advanced Study) relates why, for him, a basic appeal of science is how it is independent from people and culture.
Curated Video
Cultural Differences
Social psychologist Roy Baumeister, University of Queensland, describes how, while cultural differences clearly exist, he’s more focussed on studying the essence of what it means to be human.
Curated Video
In Praise of Barriers
Poet and historian Jennifer Michael Hecht argues that many cultural and social factors play a key role in leading people to commit suicide, highlighting the effectiveness of various social policies designed to combat it.
Curated Video
Culture and Community
Poet and historian Jennifer Michael Hecht describes her view that “the feeling of meaning is sufficient to the definition of meaning” and how we often need to consciously allow our culture and community to help provide meaning for us.
Curated Video
Between Two Extremes
Cognitive scientist Victor Ferreira (UC San Diego) discusses the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, while admitting that most cognitive scientists opt for the middle road between the two intellectual poles.
Curated Video
Cultural Mindsets
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck describes how, while she believes that her work on mindsets is universally relevant, understanding distinct values and practices is essential to getting the message across diverse cultures.
Curated Video
Context and Variability
Cognitive scientist Lisa Feldman Barrett (Northeastern) highlights how our current models of psychology are often based on false principles, using metaphors for the mind that simply don’t apply to the brain.
Curated Video
Suicide and Depression
Poet and independent scholar Jennifer Michael Hecht argues that suicidal thoughts and acts are often not limited to the clinically depressed.
Curated Video
The Human Condition
Social psychologist Roy Baumeister (Queensland) describes how, notwithstanding our various cultural differences, what really interests him is the investigation of factors and motivations common to all of us.
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Bridget E. Quinn - Freedom to Read
Bridget E. Quinn is the President & CEO of the Hartford Public Library, a position they have held since 2016. Prior to their current role, Ms. Quinn served as Interim President and CEO of Queens Library from 2011 to 2016, and as Director...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Carla Wade - An Exciting Time to Teach
Carla Wade is Digital Innovations Lead in the Office of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Carla has managed the Oregon Digital Learning virtual program since 2015. During her 20+ years at ODE...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Christine Lion-Bailey - Raising Global Awareness
Christine Lion-Bailey is the Chief Strategy Officer of Ready Learner One LLC and a Director of Technology & Innovation in New Jersey. Christine works with organizations spanning both the education and corporate space to define future...
Curated Video
Dust Bowl
A look at the devastating conditions in the central plains states during much of the Great Depression.
Curated Video
The Inuit People of Alaska
The Inuit People of Alaska investigates how the physical characteristics of a place influence the daily life of the people who live there by examining the cultural characteristics of the Inuit people of Alaska.
Curated Video
Portugal’s Influence on Brazil
Portugal’s Influence on Brazil explores the influence of Portugal on Brazil and the differences in history and culture.
Curated Video
Tales of Some Folks
A video entitled “Tales of Some Folks” which describes the characteristics of a folktale and gives some examples of folktales.
Curated Video
Hawaiian Leis and the Selma to Montgomery March
The Selma to Montgomery March was one of the most important actions of the Civil Rights Movement – but what were the connections between Black Americans and Hawaiians and why did the leaders wear Hawaiian necklaces?