Mind Field

E01

Episode 1

Grayson Brulte Interview

2017-10-06 · 3m

I get candid with Grayson Brulte, autonomous vehicle expert, as we discuss the potential ethical issues associated with driverless cars.

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E02

Episode 2

Uncut Shaman Song

2017-12-06 · 17m

Watch as a Peruvian Shaman performs his icaro—or healing chant—in its entirety, from my Ayahuasca ceremony.

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E03

Episode 3

A Few Personal Questions

2017-12-06 · 2m

With just seven days until my Ayahuasca ceremony, I fill out a recommended personality survey—which becomes a little revealing.

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E04

Episode 4

Gail Thomas Interview

2017-12-06 · 6m

I explore how psychedelics can improve mental health in my interview with cancer survivor Gail Thomas, as we discuss her experience in a study involving psilocybin--or mushrooms.

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E05

Episode 5

Digital Drugs

2017-12-06 · 3m

Is there a way to experience the effects of psychedelic drugs without having to ingest anything? Watch as I test out a few of these unconventional audio and visual files to see if their claims are true.

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E06

Episode 6

Uncut False Confession

2017-12-06 · 14m

Expert Melissa Russano elicits a false confession from one of our test subjects in this fascinating, uncut session.

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E07

Episode 7

False Confession Victim

2017-12-06 · 5m

I sit down with Jeffrey Deskovic, a real-life victim of a false confession conviction.

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E08

Episode 8

The Human Lab Rat

2017-12-06 · 6m

Check out this extended cut of my challenging experience as a human lab rat in a giant, 60-foot real-world maze.

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E09

Episode 9

Hero in the Sky

2017-12-13 · 3m

I interview Shirley Dygert, a first time skydiver, and her tandem skydiving instructor, Dave Hartsock, about a treacherous skydive they both miraculously survived.

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E10

Episode 10

Mr. Xtreme

2017-12-13 · 2m

In San Diego, real-life superheroes walk the streets as part of the Xtreme Justice League. I chat with Mr. Xtreme, one of the league’s most visible members, to discuss what it means to be a hero in today’s society.

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E11

Episode 11

Thought Implant

2017-12-20 · 5m

Check out the final stage of our power of suggestion test, where we try to convince our subjects that a brain scanner can implant a number in their minds.

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E12

Episode 12

Sham Acupuncture

2017-12-20 · 1m

I go deeper into accessory-assisted placebos by discussing sham acupuncture—and getting stuck with a few needles in the process.

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E13

Episode 13

Unleashed

2017-12-20 · 1m

I attempt to discuss placebos, but my furry co-star keeps stealing the scene.

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E14

Episode 14

Hearing Test

2017-12-27 · 1m

Let’s do a little test. I’ll play two tones and you see if you’re one of the few people who can notice a difference between them.

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E15

Episode 15

The Musical Savant

2017-12-27 · 4m

Derek Paravicini, a blind, autistic pianist and musical savant, sits down with me at the keyboard and shows off his incredible range of musical styles.

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E16

Episode 16

Dynamic Duet

2017-12-27 · 4m

Jazz pianist Dave O’Brien and his student Derek Paravicini play an impressive piano duet for me.

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E17

Episode 17

Marcie Bockbrader Interview

2018-01-03 · 1m

Research Physiatrist Marcie Bockbrader talks to me about a brain-computer interface project that is helping a paralyzed man move his arm.

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E18

Episode 18

Sending a Signal

2018-01-03 · 5m

I interview principal research statistician David Friedenberg about his role in analyzing all the data collected in a project aimed at helping a paralyzed man move again.

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E19

Episode 19

The Origins of Disgust

2018-12-05 · 13m

With the help of Cecile Sarabian, Dr. Andrew MacIntosh and some fake poop, Michael observes levels of disgust among Japanese Macaques.

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E20

Episode 20

Rock, Paper, Scissors

2018-12-05 · 4m

Kyoto University Ph.D. candidate Jie Gao shares her research involving Chimpanzees and the schoolyard game “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”

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E21

Episode 21

Brains and Language

2018-12-05 · 3m

Michael and Dr. Terrence Deacon discuss the connection between language and the physical brain.

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E22

Episode 22

The Park PSA

2018-12-05 · 1m

We edited the fake Los Angeles parks PSA from our Moral Licensing demonstration!

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E23

Episode 23

Virtual Dilemmas

2018-12-05 · 7m

Michael wrestles with two moral dilemmas in VR, designed by researchers Dr. Erick Ramirez and Dr. Scott LaBarge.

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E24

Episode 24

Coin Toss

2018-12-12 · 3m

Michael uses a series of coin flips and a large group of people to demonstrate the “wisdom of the crowd.”

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E25

Episode 25

Q & A

2018-12-12 · 3m

Michael recruits local Vsauce fans for his Brain experiment, and fields questions in a Q&A setting.

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E26

Episode 26

Memory Lane

2018-12-12 · 2m

Michael shares memories with his mom, who has saved everything from his childhood - from report cards to his space camp jacket.

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E27

Episode 27

Fast Times at Blue Valley High

2018-12-12 · 1m

Michael takes Dr. Chris Eliasmith on a tour through his high school, including his forensics team’s wall of fame.

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E28

Episode 28

Jelly Bean Experiment

2018-12-12 · 2m

Michael conducts his own version of the famous “jelly bean jar” experiment and reveals the statistical significance of the results.

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E29

Episode 29

A Great Performance

2018-12-19 · 3m

Michael learns the true story behind Stanford Prison Experiment guard Dave Eshleman’s “John Wayne” moniker.

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E30

Episode 30

Personal Responsibility

2018-12-19 · 2m

Michael learns more about Ben Blum’s cousin Alex and his personal transformation after participating in an armed bank robbery

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E31

Episode 31

A Death Positive World

2018-12-26 · 2m

Michael meets with Caitlin Doughty and learns about a death-positive culture in Indonesia, where relatives keep their dead loved ones in their homes.

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E32

Episode 32

World Views

2018-12-26 · 3m

Michael meets with psychologists Dr. Jeff Greenberg and Dr. Sheldon Solomon to discuss how death affects our world views.

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E33

Episode 33

A Frozen Pioneer

2018-12-26 · 2m

Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the first person to ever be frozen using cryonics.

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E34

Episode 34

A Family Affair

2018-10-26 · 2m

Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the family behind – and preserved by – cryonics.

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E35

Episode 35

Philosophizing About Death

2018-12-26 · 6m

Michael discusses the philosophy of death, and its changing definition, with Dr. Max More, CEO of Alcor life extension.

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E36

Episode 36

Barnard's Star

2019-01-02 · 3m

Michael and Dr. Douglas Vakoch discuss Barnard’s Star, the closest star to our solar system, within the context of sending messages into space.

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E37

Episode 37

The Golden Record

2019-01-02 · 3m

Michael and Dr. Steven Vance discuss the famous “Golden Record”, which was sent aboard NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.

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E38

Episode 38

What Is The Scariest Thing?

2019-10-24 · 30m

Stevens talks about fear and if there exists an innate fear of which all people are afraid.

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E39

Episode 39

I Watch 3 Episodes of Mind Field With Our Experts & Researchers

2019-10-14 · 30m

I asked a group of colleagues who worked with me on the series to sit down at Vsauce HQ and watch through three entire episodes. We go behind the scenes, elaborate on topics in the episodes, and dig in to what impact working on Mind Field has had on their current research.

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