Welcome to another exciting edition of BrainCraft! Recently, I celebrated my 100th episode and invited you all to ask questions about me and the show. I received a fantastic array of inquiries, and I’m thrilled to answer them all in just a few minutes. Let’s dive in!
I’m proud to call Australia my home.
As a child, I was captivated by wildlife documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and Ranger Stacey. The thrill of exploration and curiosity was something I cherished, and it fueled my passion for science.
Initially, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist and later a zookeeper. An internship at Taronga Zoo in Sydney led me to the education center, where I discovered my love for teaching and sharing science with others.
I attended the University of New South Wales in Sydney, earning a Bachelor of Science with a major in psychology. Later, I pursued a Master’s in Science Communication at the Australian National University in Canberra. In Australia, we often refer to college as “uni.”
My journey into YouTube began with a desire to innovate in education. The internet offered a dynamic platform, and meeting inspiring YouTubers during their visit to Australia motivated me to start my own channel.
My first video, “Is Google Killing Your Memory?” was a humble start with basic animation. But every creator has to begin somewhere!
Always keep your curiosity alive by asking questions.
Creating stop-motion videos for BrainCraft is a labor of love. It takes about ten hours of animation for each minute of video. Including research, writing, storyboarding, and editing, a full project can take around a week and a half. This is why I don’t do stop-motion very often.
My favorite video is the one I made last week without any narration. It was a creative challenge to convey the message visually. Another favorite is a stop-motion piece about Elizabeth Blackburn.
Consciousness can be tested using various methods. For animals, the mirror test assesses self-awareness. In computers, the Turing test evaluates consciousness.
The brain self-regulates its functions, unlike the heart. This regulation isn’t centralized, and failures in neuron firing can lead to seizures.
Chocolate contains cocoa flavanols, antioxidants linked to improved cognitive function and reduced cardiovascular risk. These are mostly found in dark chocolate, depending on the cocoa bean’s origin and processing.
Did you know butterflies taste with their feet?
I have a keen interest in astronomy, space exploration, and genetics.
One intriguing subject I’ve explored is carbon dating organs to determine the age of different body parts.
I admire cortical neurons for their role in shaping our identity and red blood cells for their classic functionality.
Brains are fascinating because they are the center of consciousness and identity, all within a small mass of tissue and fat.
The planning fallacy, where we underestimate task completion time, was a revelation to me. It’s a common psychological bias I encounter daily.
Some of my favorite books include “The Emperor of All Maladies,” “Musicophilia,” and “Elephants on Acid.” Personally, I also enjoy “Millions of Cats.”
I love Pomplamoose and their creative YouTube content. I also enjoy Australian bands like The Cat Empire, Tigertown, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
It’s an interesting observation that many Australian bands have animal names!
I engage Luna in activities that challenge her mentally, keeping her brain active and stimulated.
I would choose invisibility; the idea of immortality is daunting.
Snorlax is my favorite Pokémon!
If a bucket of apples weighs one gram, then a bucket with one gram of wool weighs one gram plus the bucket’s weight. But really, how can a bucket of apples weigh just one gram?
Why not? Building a particle accelerator in your backyard sounds like a fun project!
In a previous Q&A, I mentioned using a picture of Hugh Jackman to help me focus. Now, I use a sound-dampening panel, though it’s not quite as charming.
If I didn’t get to your question, check the comments on the last episode for more answers. Until next time, take care!
Reflect on your own journey and identify what sparked your interest in science. Create a short presentation or video sharing your story, similar to the journey shared in the article. This will help you connect with your passion and inspire others.
Try your hand at creating a short stop-motion animation video. Use simple materials and software to animate a concept from your studies. This activity will enhance your creativity and understanding of the animation process discussed in the article.
Choose a complex scientific topic and explain it in a simple, engaging way, either through a blog post, video, or infographic. This exercise will improve your ability to communicate science effectively, a key theme in the article.
Identify a question or topic that piques your curiosity, similar to the diverse interests mentioned in the article. Conduct a mini-research project and present your findings to the class. This will encourage you to explore and satisfy your scientific curiosity.
Form a book club to read and discuss one of the recommended books from the article, such as “The Emperor of All Maladies” or “Musicophilia.” This will deepen your understanding of science and its impact on society.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Last week, I posted my 100th episode of Brain Craft and asked you all what you wanted to know about me or the show. I received so many questions, and I’m going to try to answer them in four minutes or less. Here we go!
**Where are you from?**
I’m from Australia.
**What sparked your curiosity for science?**
When I was a kid, I watched a lot of wildlife documentaries. I loved David Attenborough and also Ranger Stacey. I loved the idea that you could explore, ask questions, and be curious, which was a great thing to do as a kid.
**What did you want your profession to be?**
I wanted to be a marine biologist and then a zookeeper. I did an internship at Taronga Zoo in Sydney and ended up in the education center, where I realized that education is awesome, and I love talking to people about science.
**Did you go to college? What did you major in?**
I went to the University of New South Wales in Sydney, where I did a Bachelor of Science and majored in psychology. A few years later, I attended the Australian National University in Canberra and completed a Master’s in Science Communication. In Australia, college is often referred to as “uni.”
**What got you started making YouTube videos?**
I worked in the classroom and wanted to push the boundaries of education. The internet seemed like a cool platform. I also had the opportunity to meet some amazing YouTubers when they came to Australia about three years ago, which inspired me to start my own channel.
**What were your first videos?**
My very first video was called “Is Google Killing Your Memory?” The animation was not great, but you have to start somewhere!
**What advice would you give to aspiring future science educators?**
Never stop asking questions.
**How long does it take for you to make each stop-motion video?**
For Brain Craft, it takes about ten hours of animating for one minute of animation. So, if I do a two-minute fully animated piece, that’s about 20 hours of animation. There’s also a few days before that for researching, writing, and storyboarding, and a few days after for editing. All in all, it can take about a week and a half, which is why I don’t do stop-motion all that often.
**Which is your favorite Brain Craft video you’ve made and why?**
Actually, my favorite video is the one I did last week because I didn’t speak in it. It was a big challenge to figure out how it would work without narration. Other than that, I really enjoyed a stop-motion piece I did in March about Elizabeth Blackburn.
**Is consciousness something you can scientifically test?**
Yes, with primarily visual species, the mirror test checks an animal’s level of self-awareness by seeing whether they can recognize themselves in a mirror. Other tests include tool use and language. If you’re testing consciousness with a computer, you would use the Turing test.
**Does the brain have anything to regulate its function?**
Unlike the heart, the brain is self-regulated, but that regulation doesn’t happen in a single location. When the regulation of neuron firing fails, it can lead to excessive activity, known as a seizure.
**What’s the effect of chocolate on the brain?**
Interesting question! Chocolate contains an antioxidant called cocoa flavanols, which has been linked to increased cognitive function and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it’s quite bitter, so it’s mostly found in dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa. The amount of flavanols in chocolate depends on how it’s processed and where the cocoa bean comes from.
**What’s your favorite pointless science fact?**
Butterflies taste with their feet!
**Do you have interests in other fields of science?**
Yes, I particularly love astronomy, space exploration, and genetics.
**What’s your favorite subject you’ve ever researched?**
Carbon dating your organs to find out how old all the parts of your body really are.
**What’s your favorite cell and why?**
I love cortical neurons because they are the oldest part of your body that makes you, you. I also love red blood cells; they’re functional, classic, and just work!
**What makes brains fascinating?**
It’s simple: you have this lump of tissue and fat inside your head that controls your consciousness and sense of self. If you’ve held a brain, that really hits home.
**What’s the most surprising fact you’ve ever heard regarding psychology?**
When I was doing an episode on cognitive biases, I came across the planning fallacy, which is where you underestimate the time it takes to complete a task. It surprised me because I do that every day, and now I know it’s a flaw in my psychology that I can’t overcome.
**What are the best books you’ve read for Brain Craft?**
Some favorites include “The Emperor of All Maladies,” “Musicophilia,” and “Elephants on Acid.” Personally, I also love “Millions of Cats.”
**Who are your favorite bands or artists?**
I love Pomplamoose; they have an amazing YouTube channel and music videos. I also enjoy Australian music, like The Cat Empire, Tigertown, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
**Why do most Australian bands have animal names?**
That’s an interesting observation!
**What’s your favorite activity to do with Luna to stimulate her brain?**
I enjoy engaging her in various activities that challenge her mentally.
**Would you rather have invisibility or immortality?**
Invisibility; immortality scares me.
**Who’s your favorite Pokémon?**
Snorlax!
**If a bucket of apples weighs one gram, then how much does a bucket with one gram of wool weigh?**
It would weigh one gram for the wool plus the weight of the bucket. But honestly, how does a bucket full of apples only weigh one gram? What kind of apples are we talking about?
**Should I build a particle accelerator in my backyard?**
Yes!
**Do you still use Hugh Jackman to help you focus?**
In my last Q&A, I mentioned using a picture of Hugh Jackman’s face to help me focus before stepping in front of the camera. I’ve since moved, and Hugh Jackman is with my brother now. I use a large sound-dampening panel instead, which kind of works, though it’s not as good-looking.
If I didn’t get to answer your question, I’ll post answers in the comments on the last episode, so check back there. I’ll see you next time! Bye!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, from the smallest particles to the vastness of space.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – Psychology provides insights into how cognitive processes influence our decision-making and interactions.
Curiosity – A strong desire to know or learn something, often driving scientific inquiry and discovery. – Curiosity about the mechanisms of memory led the researcher to conduct a series of innovative experiments.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university, often involving the dissemination of scientific knowledge. – Education in the sciences equips students with critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world.
Consciousness – The state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings. – The study of consciousness remains one of the most intriguing challenges in both neuroscience and psychology.
Neurons – Specialized cells transmitting nerve impulses; the basic building blocks of the nervous system. – Neurons communicate through synapses, forming complex networks that underpin all cognitive functions.
Chocolate – A food product made from roasted and ground cacao seeds, often studied for its effects on mood and cognition. – Research suggests that consuming chocolate may have positive effects on cognitive function and mood enhancement.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Research in psychology often involves both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore human behavior.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; a crucial component in scientific innovation and problem-solving. – Creativity in experimental design can lead to groundbreaking discoveries in various scientific fields.
Exploration – The action of investigating or studying unknown areas or subjects, often leading to new scientific insights. – The exploration of uncharted territories in the brain has led to significant advancements in neuroscience.
