Nostr notes by Dean Burnett (that brains guy)

Currently stood at the exact location of the Blood-Brain barrier ...

2026-10-30T10:55:13Z

Currently stood at the exact location of the Blood-Brain barrier (one for my neuro/biomed crew, this one)

#neuroscience #brains #biology

It surprises many, but as a younger kid, I was never really ...

2026-10-30T00:12:06Z

It surprises many, but as a younger kid, I was never really interested in science. I found it tedious, frustrating, needlessly complex.

That was until one day when I wandered into the front room, where my mother was watching this colourful show about an eclectic bunch of characters on a spaceship.

She said it was Star Trek, but it wasn't. I'd seen Star Trek, it was those films where that bunch of middle-aged people in red tried to kidnap whales or shoot God in the face, or something.
1/8

Isn't it a bit weird how so many populist efforts to gain ...

2026-10-26T12:32:33Z

Isn't it a bit weird how so many populist efforts to gain power involve voter suppression? Like, if you really were supported by the vast majority, who are sick of being downtrodden by a tiny elite, then surely you'd want as many people voting as possible?

I often meet fellow cat owners who want to compare cat escapades, ...

2026-10-13T22:09:23Z

I often meet fellow cat owners who want to compare cat escapades, which usually leads to me saying "My cat is such 'a cat' that he made the international news"

And they laugh at this obvious exaggeration

Then stop laughing when I point out that it really isn't one

https://www.newsweek.com/case-poses-photo-house-window-problem-twitter-1834379

#Pickle

Just got a spam email titled "The baking soda trick: how to ...

2026-10-07T13:35:30Z

Just got a spam email titled "The baking soda trick: how to restore male sexual potency"

I mean, don't get me wrong, a lot of guys appreciate a nice clean oven, but not in THAT way.

"By using AI, tasks like essays that used to take hours can ...

2026-10-06T07:36:59Z

"By using AI, tasks like essays that used to take hours can be completed in minutes!"

Sure, like how if I arrive at the gym and immediately go for a shower, my workout is done in record time. And if I throw my sandwiches straight in the bin, I can finish my lunch in under 10 seconds.

Ultimate irony is, data shows that time kids spend outdoors has ...

2026-09-18T13:25:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…23ku
_________________________

Ultimate irony is, data shows that time kids spend outdoors has been declining since 1980s, long before smartphones etc. Likely due to parents becoming stricter, overprotective (possibly due to constant "there are predators around every corner!" media coverage)

This trend has reversed in recent years. Likely because... kids have phones. So parents can contact/track them, so more willing to let them roam

TL:DR kids now go outside more BECAUSE of phones

RE: https://ohai.social/@Garwboy/117270549593473203 Fun fact: I ...

2026-09-14T19:40:35Z

RE: https://ohai.social/@Garwboy/117270549593473203

Fun fact: I wrote this, my first @theguardian.com article in years, weeks ago. I wasn't told it was published today, only found out because a belligerent stranger emailed me directly to call me a cretin for not recognising that overpopulation is the real problem

Some things never change

quoting
note15jm…x6qj

There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/14/england-record-antidepressant-use-gp-guidelines-overprescribing?CMP=share_btn_url

My latest article, for the... [checks notes] Guardian? Doesn't ring a bell, must be some new publication.

#mentalhealth #antidepressants

There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high ...

2026-09-14T17:22:59Z

There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/14/england-record-antidepressant-use-gp-guidelines-overprescribing?CMP=share_btn_url

My latest article, for the... [checks notes] Guardian? Doesn't ring a bell, must be some new publication.

#mentalhealth #antidepressants

WARNING! WARNING! Unauthorised podcast guest! #cats #Pickle ...

2026-09-11T16:02:56Z

WARNING! WARNING! Unauthorised podcast guest!

#cats #Pickle #podcast

On Friday, I finally watched 'The Great ADHD #Myth' in ...

2026-09-07T11:15:55Z

On Friday, I finally watched 'The Great ADHD #Myth' in its entirety, and livestreamed my reaction, pausing any time I found something objectionable

Probably quite telling that it took me TWO AND A HALF HOURS to get through a 45 min programme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBJPU55Iw24&t=2s

Edited highlights coming soon, but for now, if you've got half a day spare, it's worth a watch, if you enjoy barely-constrained neuroscientific fury

Finally watched 'The Great ADHD Myth?' Please excuse any ...

2026-09-04T22:09:32Z

Finally watched 'The Great ADHD Myth?'

Please excuse any typos, I'm posting this from the shower, where I intend to spend the next few hours, or until I feel sufficiently decontaminated.

RE: https://ohai.social/@Garwboy/117212387910523401 8pm! ...

2026-09-04T18:19:11Z

RE: https://ohai.social/@Garwboy/117212387910523401

8pm!

https://www.youtube.com/live/IBJPU55Iw24?is=eZijhw5IrUOGbLRF

quoting
note1s6f…sejy

Tonight!

If you're looking for critiques/comebacks to those dismissing #ADHD because they watched this infernal doc, I'll do my professional best to provide them

Or I'll end up burbling nonsensically, but that'll be amusing too

https://www.instagram.com/drdeanburnett?igsi=ZnIwODZic24wNTNm

https://www.youtube.com/live/IBJPU55Iw24?is=eZijhw5IrUOGbLRF

Tonight! If you're looking for critiques/comebacks to those ...

2026-09-04T10:51:42Z

Tonight!

If you're looking for critiques/comebacks to those dismissing #ADHD because they watched this infernal doc, I'll do my professional best to provide them

Or I'll end up burbling nonsensically, but that'll be amusing too

https://www.instagram.com/drdeanburnett?igsi=ZnIwODZic24wNTNm

https://www.youtube.com/live/IBJPU55Iw24?is=eZijhw5IrUOGbLRF

I was in central Dubai last month They've fully embraced AI ...

2026-09-02T20:30:25Z

I was in central Dubai last month

They've fully embraced AI generated art. It's everywhere, including on giant ad billboards.

Basically, this multi-multi-billion dollar hub of advanced high tech capitalism, has the aesthetics of a high street kebab shop with a 3 star hygiene rating

Just been reminded of this. Newer friends and followers may not ...

2026-08-29T21:13:43Z

Just been reminded of this.
Newer friends and followers may not know of that time 11 years ago when I was writing for the Guardian and finally snapped at their ludicrous image archive setup and it got published on the actual site.

#cake #breakdown

He may well have 1000 Einsteins and Mozarts working in his ...

2026-08-20T08:15:28Z

He may well have 1000 Einsteins and Mozarts working in his warehouses right now, but they can't do anything with their abilities what with having to work 18 hours a day under constant threat of being fired for taking a piss

A Review of the Guardian’s Review of Channel 4’s ‘The Great ...

2026-08-19T17:28:37Z

A Review of the Guardian’s Review of Channel 4’s ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/a-review-of-the-guardians-review

I reviewed the Guardian's review of The Great ADHD Myth, and found it... well, lacking doesn't really do it justice.

#ADHD #Channel4 #Guardian #Neurodivergence

PSA If you encounter someone who dismisses your #ADHD because ...

2026-08-18T20:46:51Z

PSA

If you encounter someone who dismisses your #ADHD because they watched 'The Great ADHD Myth?', feel free to tell them to contact me via my site so I can explain, at length, why they're an idiot

Hell, send my their address and I'll do it face to face. I'm willing to go full 'Punisher' over this

At the risk of immodesty, it's interesting how I've had ...

2026-08-18T19:49:16Z

At the risk of immodesty, it's interesting how I've had zero media contacting me about 'The Great #ADHD Myth?'

Usually, whenever any even slightly brain-related story hits, I inevitably get some mainstream platform asking me to explain it to their audience in accessible terms. This time... *crickets*

I'm not saying that genuine evidence-based insight about the reality of #ADHD is something those responsible desperately want to avoid... but I can't think of another way to finish this sentence

FFS, @Guardian. Max Pemberton is NOT an expert in #ADHD, he's ...

2026-08-18T08:09:04Z

FFS, @Guardian.

Max Pemberton is NOT an expert in #ADHD, he's a psychiatrist specialiseing in older patients, with a bizarre agenda against #Neurodivergence, a regular column in the Daily Mail, and a dangerous TV show to promote

Remember when you had actual experts regularly writing for you?

Given that 'The Great #ADHD Myth?" airs tonight, I'll ...

2026-08-18T07:48:25Z

Given that 'The Great #ADHD Myth?" airs tonight, I'll flag up that Channel4 still haven't answered these important questions

Presumably because they're fully aware that it's a deeply dangerous and cynical endeavour that'll do genuine harm to many, but don't want to have to admit it

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/some-questions-for-channel-4-about?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=24oxwv

Am still pretty out of the loop, so I feel compelled to ask: Have ...

2026-08-17T11:32:58Z

Am still pretty out of the loop, so I feel compelled to ask:

Have I already missed the short lived and ultimately entirely performative #BeKind campaign for Jason Arday, like we had when Caroline Flack died in a very similar situation? Or did just nobody bother this time, for... reasons

The fact that Farage didn't see it coming that him running ...

2026-07-10T13:49:06Z

The fact that Farage didn't see it coming that him running against an actual bin would be something that pretty much everyone in the UK thinks is brilliant really undermines his whole 'Man of the people' schtick. As it should.

Foreign journalists trying to cover UK politics right now #Farage ...

2026-07-09T13:19:49Z

Foreign journalists trying to cover UK politics right now

#Farage #Clacton

No need to stop the 'brain rot': Modern kids aren't ...

2026-06-28T12:16:57Z

No need to stop the 'brain rot': Modern kids aren't less intelligent

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26635392-800-no-need-to-stop-the-brain-rot-modern-kids-arent-less-intelligent/

Neuroscientist Dr Dean Burnett tackles a common, but unfair, claim about modern young people. For New Scientist magazine

#Brains #BrainRot #Youth #GenZ

The Sub-Par Science of the Social Media Ban - Part 1 ...

2026-06-22T18:46:26Z

The Sub-Par Science of the Social Media Ban - Part 1

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/the-sub-par-science-of-the-social?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=24oxwv

I did a deep dive into the consultation that justified the UK Social Media ban. And found so many problems with it, it's going to take me multiple posts to explain them all

#SocialMediaBan #Labour #Data #Evidence

- It's ultimately based on the paranoia of concerned parents, ...

2026-06-15T11:24:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…09s0
_________________________

- It's ultimately based on the paranoia of concerned parents, rather than evidence. The victims will be the less privileged kids, and those who don't have concerned parents, for whom SM acts as a lifeline, but are absent from the whole discussion

- https://www.techdirt.com/2026/02/17/australias-social-media-ban-is-isolating-kids-with-disabilities-just-like-critics-warned/

As ever, it's a policy where the *possible* but unsubstantiated risk to the privileged are heavily prioritised over the *actual* harms that would be done to the underprivileged. Modern politics in a nutshell, basically.
2/2

Quick thoughts on the proposed UK social media ban - Enforcement ...

2026-06-15T11:24:26Z

Quick thoughts on the proposed UK social media ban

- Enforcement will be a nightmare, teens are already more tech savvy than most parents

- Taking an existing right away from teens for 'debatable' reasons will never end well

1/2

Pride day in Cardiff, and suddenly the glorious sunshine has ...

2026-06-13T12:18:32Z

Pride day in Cardiff, and suddenly the glorious sunshine has returned.
I'm not saying that this means God is an LGBTQ+ ally, but going by the logic of those who genuinely believed the legalisation of same-sex marriage caused severe UK flooding, it's the only reasonable conclusion.

Stated that really don't like AI, and some tech bootlicker ...

2026-05-31T19:45:15Z

Stated that really don't like AI, and some tech bootlicker pointed out that I must have still used it because it's everywhere now, as if this was some sort of 'gotcha'.

I mean, I don't like bird shit either. That it's ended up on my car so often doesn't undermine my stance, it reinforces it.

Got a question for Dr Dean Burnet? Want to get his take on ...

2026-05-18T08:51:23Z

Got a question for Dr Dean Burnet? Want to get his take on something? Or would like him to be involved with your event/project/show/business?

Then just drop him a line via his new website's contact page

https://www.deanburnett.com/contact

#Website #Contact #HustleCulture

‘Your brain isn’t fully formed until you’re 25’: A ...

2026-05-16T11:47:06Z

‘Your brain isn’t fully formed until you’re 25’: A neuroscientist demolishes the greatest mind myth

https://www.sciencefocus.com/comment/brain-myth-25-development

Dr Dean Burnett tackles a stubborn, and increasingly harmful, brain myth. For Science Focus Magazine.

#Brains #Teens #Development #Autonomy

Saw someone pointing out that David Attenborough celebrated his ...

2026-05-10T14:36:53Z

Saw someone pointing out that David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday even though he's publicly expressed concerns about the dangers of overpopulation, as if this was some form of 'gotcha'.

Experts no longer believe in photographic memory. Here’s what ...

2026-05-03T08:13:46Z

Experts no longer believe in photographic memory. Here’s what convinced them

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/photographic-memory-wrong

A Science Focus longread article by me on the science of eidetic (photographic) memory, and how the brain deals with memory in general.

#Brains #Memory #Neuroscience

Earlier this week, I was asked to guest on a science podcast to ...

2026-04-20T21:20:51Z

Earlier this week, I was asked to guest on a science podcast to dicuss the phenomenon of Imposter Syndrome

My immediate thought was "Crap, why are they asking me? I don't know what I'm doing!"

So yeah, I have some relevant insight

‘Your brain isn’t fully formed until you’re 25’: A ...

2026-04-19T09:15:21Z

Why Are Heavy Metal Fans So Nice? ...

2026-04-16T14:39:23Z

Why Are Heavy Metal Fans So Nice?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTLbL5_DEim/

Dean Burnett's surprisingly popular video explainer of the surprisingly mellow nature of many heavy metal fans.

#Metal #Music #Brains #Emotions

No need to stop the 'brain rot': Modern kids aren't ...

2026-04-13T17:19:24Z

Dear hotel bathroom designers It may look stylish, but if the ...

2026-04-06T18:48:15Z

Dear hotel bathroom designers

It may look stylish, but if the featureless steel block that is apparently a tap will only dispense hot water by stroking the rear quadrant thrice widdershins, you should include instructions for the average guest who doesn't have a Masters degree in Escherian geometry

You wrote a novel using AI? Cool. It's like that time I ran a ...

2026-04-02T19:40:30Z

You wrote a novel using AI? Cool. It's like that time I ran a marathon using a Ford Focus.

Request for the hivemind I'm looking for more examples of ...

2026-03-17T19:20:27Z

Request for the hivemind

I'm looking for more examples of things/breakthroughs that are always 'imminent', e.g. predicted 'within the next 5/10 years', but thus far have not happened

So far I've got
- Nuclear fusion
- Quantum Computing
- Self-driving cars
- Canaverro's head transplant

Was asked to appear on the radio, to discuss Zack Polanski's ...

2026-03-12T08:17:26Z

Was asked to appear on the radio, to discuss Zack Polanski's previous job of offering hypnotherapy for breast enlargement

While unavailable for this obvious hit piece, if you're legit worried about 'politicians saying/doing things that aren't evidence based', there are far more prominent examples

Not the key point, but all the 'Andrew Mountbatten ...

2026-02-20T10:05:36Z

Not the key point, but all the 'Andrew Mountbatten Windsor' coverage shows how quickly and easily the entire UK media complex can switch to someone's new name/title, even after using their old one for decades, when it's an incredibly pampered white male deviant. So, you know, it's not *that* hard...

Running a survey to find out how many people know what a ...

2026-02-12T22:08:01Z

Running a survey to find out how many people know what a 'control group' is.

Also running another survey at the same time that asks very similar people about something completely unrelated

The cat is constantly trying to get into the attic for some ...

2026-01-06T14:10:47Z

The cat is constantly trying to get into the attic for some reason. His latest effort was impressively sneaky.

#Pickle #cats #ChristmasTree

As a 'rural' person who grew up with hunts as a regular ...

2025-12-27T10:57:47Z

As a 'rural' person who grew up with hunts as a regular presence, there's little more alienating than a bunch of sociopathic posh people on horseback descending upon your community with a pack of jittery hounds, in order to dismember a small woodland animal usually encountered in children's stories.

Public service announcement Just so we're all clear, this ...

2025-12-26T23:32:47Z

Public service announcement

Just so we're all clear, this week the bins go out on Fratunday morvening, with the exception of mixed glass clippings and general garden food. Those go out on Modnesday, before 15.87am.

Watched Muppet's Christmas Carol, and 13yo son said "the ...

2025-12-24T20:04:30Z

Watched Muppet's Christmas Carol, and 13yo son said "the scariest part is when the doorknob turns into Bob Marley", and now I DESPERATELY want to see that version

#ScroogeMon

An AI response, that I didn't ask for, telling me my search ...

2025-12-15T18:31:09Z

An AI response, that I didn't ask for, telling me my search query is wrong because it's based on a misunderstanding, but it is in fact the AI that has misunderstood my query, so it telling me I'm wrong is, in fact, wrong.

I'm so glad this tech is apparently running everything now. Very reassuring.

"I had a very expensive education and I'm still a huge ...

2025-12-10T12:11:12Z

"I had a very expensive education and I'm still a huge bigot. So anyone who had a less expensive one must surely be even more bigoted. Logic, that is".

This seems to be the mindset of far too many of the people who control the UK discourse and it's incredibly tiresome.

Another day, another attempt at self-promotion. But at least ...

2025-12-04T14:53:49Z

Another day, another attempt at self-promotion. But at least it's 100% human made!

The Idiot Brain - 10 year anniversary edition - 01/01/2026

Pre-order now - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Dean-Burnett/The-Idiot-Brain--Why-Your-Brain-Gets-Things-Wrong--and-Why-Thats-Alright/32355466

#Books #Brains #Slop #AnniversaryEdition

When you're opening a tin of tuna and turn around. #cat #dog ...

2025-11-09T20:40:50Z

When you're opening a tin of tuna and turn around.

#cat #dog #pickle #forest #ambushhunters

Alcohol can actually improve your memory (sometimes) ...

2025-11-07T10:12:15Z

Alcohol can actually improve your memory (sometimes)

https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/16/alcohol-can-actually-improve-your-memory-sometimes-5691916/

A Metro article inspired by The Idiot Brain (my debut book), which makes it definitely correct.

#Brains #Memory #Article

Do you like science and comedy and music and ridiculous mashups ...

2025-11-04T08:28:34Z

Do you like science and comedy and music and ridiculous mashups of all those things? Do you also happen to live in Cardiff?

Well, book your tickets for 9 Carols at the Cardiff Glee Club, December 9th.

https://booking.glee.co.uk/22532

Featuring many brilliant acts. And also me.

Just had an ad in my feed, which was a video all about how ...

2025-10-17T13:21:40Z

Just had an ad in my feed, which was a video all about how it's better to use AI to create promotional videos.

This particular promotional video, for the service that makes promotional AI videos, was not created with AI.

A 100% perfect encapsulation of the problem. No notes.

The thing is, if you genuinely believed that preteen girls are ...

2025-10-16T21:06:01Z

The thing is, if you genuinely believed that preteen girls are old enough to be mothers while males in their thirties are too young to comprehend fascism, then you logically wouldn't trust men to be responsible for anything more consequential than a balloon animal, let alone a government

Nigel Farage is basically someone who'll burn down your house ...

2025-09-30T11:33:28Z

Nigel Farage is basically someone who'll burn down your house because he doesn't like how it looks, dance around in the ashes to gloat, then whine about the state of his shoes and demand that you pay to have them cleaned.

No, it’s not just a trend: The real reasons adult ADHD and ...

2025-09-28T15:06:24Z

No, it’s not just a trend: The real reasons adult ADHD and autism diagnoses are on the rise

https://www.sciencefocus.com/comment/adult-mental-health

A frustratingly-still-relevant article I wrote for Science Focus magazine

#ADHD #Autism #ND #diagnosis

Your brain works fine when you're under 25 (no matter how ...

2025-09-20T11:36:10Z

Your brain works fine when you're under 25 (no matter how 'inconvenient' this fact may be)

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/your-brain-works-fine-when-youre

The myth that 'if you're under 25, you're not mature enough to decide anything' refuses to die. But it absolutely should

#Brains #Development #Maturity

Where the hell is my 'runner's high'? ...

2025-09-18T19:59:13Z

Where the hell is my 'runner's high'?

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/where-the-hell-is-my-runners-high

A quite-frankly justified rant about the absence of much-touted rewards of regular exercise. Sure, the whole 'being healthier' thing is all well and good, but where are the endorphins at?

#Exercise #Running #Health #High

"We must abandon all the things we supposedly stand for and ...

2025-09-16T11:51:37Z

"We must abandon all the things we supposedly stand for and promised and be as performatively racist as possible, so we can retain power and continue to do none of the things we'd hoped to do".

I mean, if that's your thinking, why even bother? Just walk away and take up lawn bowls, or something

I'm sorry, but if you feel compelled to add the name of your ...

2025-09-11T22:02:01Z

I'm sorry, but if you feel compelled to add the name of your country to your national flag, then you are openly admitting it fails at the one and only function of a national flag, and therefore, logically, is a shit flag

The true origins of autism? ...

2025-09-10T07:10:13Z

The true origins of autism?

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/the-true-origins-of-autism?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=24oxwv

Forget smartphones or vaccines, a new
study reveals that neurodivergence is
tomething that evolved millions of years
ago. And we likely wouldn't be human
without it.

#autism #neurodivergence

The first rule of passive-aggressive club is something you really ...

2025-08-26T12:02:05Z

The first rule of passive-aggressive club is something you really should remember at this point. It's not like this is the first meeting you've attended, after we went to all the trouble of organising them. But no matter, it's fine. Everyone learns at their own pace, I guess.

I'm am absolutely on board with the blunt but long-overdue ...

2025-08-15T18:40:34Z

I'm am absolutely on board with the blunt but long-overdue honesty of this hot drinks machine.

Awful new euphemism just dropped. ...

2025-08-03T07:05:36Z

Awful new euphemism just dropped.

Why do we keep dreaming about our teeth falling out? ...

2025-07-30T07:21:07Z

Why do we keep dreaming about our teeth falling out?

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/why-do-we-keep-dreaming-about-our?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=24oxwv

When you consider how ridiculously random the typical dream is, that so many people would have the same one, so often, is very weird.

But neuroscience offers some explanations.

#Dreams #Teeth #Brains

Please join me in wishing a happy 8th birthday to the ...

2025-07-18T10:50:54Z

Please join me in wishing a happy 8th birthday to the news-making, truck defying, home invading, chaos causing bogeyman of the northern Cardiff pet community, Pickle.

Happy birthday, you ludicrous animal.

Recently got asked one of those default interview questions about ...

2025-07-16T14:43:20Z

Recently got asked one of those default interview questions about "Name someone who inspires you".

I've always struggled with these questions, as I'm not one to put people on pedestals. But then I remembered someone who legitimately inspired me in every way

A former student of mine
1/15

Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration... A running joke. ...

2025-07-11T13:22:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…7f92
_________________________

Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration...

A running joke.

Just been out for a 5k It's a ridiculously expensive form of ...

2025-07-11T10:10:28Z

Just been out for a 5k

It's a ridiculously expensive form of exercise, but I'm assured it's worth it in the end

Your brain works fine when you're under 25 (no matter how ...

2025-07-10T19:37:55Z

Your brain works fine when you're under 25 (no matter how 'inconvenient' this fact may be)

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/your-brain-works-fine-when-youre

The 'frontal lobe theory', that your brain isn't 'fully mature' until age 25, remains very influential... and almost entirely wrong.

#Brains #Teens #development #Policy

RIP to Norman Tebbit, holder of the record for "Most ...

2025-07-08T12:44:12Z

RIP to Norman Tebbit, holder of the record for "Most self-damning argument in history" for that time when he said we shouldn't allow same-sex marriage because he might marry his own son to avoid inheritance tax.

This presumably explains why my last-but-one book got several 3 ...

2025-06-26T21:27:24Z

This presumably explains why my last-but-one book got several 3 star reviews on Goodreads, just after it was announced, but at least 6 months before I actually finished writing the first draft.

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/authors-hit-by-bad-reviews-on-goodreads-before-review-copies-are-even-circulated

If you don't self-censor, you are technically subhuman ...

2025-06-23T07:17:01Z

If you don't self-censor, you are technically subhuman

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/if-you-dont-self-censor-you-are-technically?r=24oxwv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

A recent 'survey' supposedly revealed that many men object to feeling like they have to self-censor in the workplace

The thing is, though, self-censoring is a fundamental part of being a human.

My latest article on this is available now.

#Brains #Censorship #work

Remember in 2014 when the new U2 album was automatically ...

2025-06-12T17:05:29Z

Remember in 2014 when the new U2 album was automatically installed in everyone's iTunes and everyone got really annoyed?

Imagine if they'd installed it on every other programme you ever used. And it also somehow meant Bono could interrupt what you were doing and take over

That's modern AI, that is

McDonald's cures migraines? I'm doubtin' it. ...

2025-06-03T19:48:14Z

McDonald's cures migraines? I'm doubtin' it.

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/mcdonalds-cures-migraines-im-doubtin?r=24oxwv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

A viral TikTok claim says that a simple McDonald's meal is all that's needed to cure a migraine. That this is being taken seriously reveals all manner of problems.

My latest blogpost, for your eyeballs

#Migraine #McDonalds

This is my PhD thesis I did not ask for this I did not consent to ...

2025-06-02T20:03:10Z

This is my PhD thesis

I did not ask for this

I did not consent to this

I did not approve of this

I was not compensated for this

I would not have advised this

I do not like this

And worst of all, the number of people who've read my thesis has still not increased.

Do. Not. Disturb. The. Mysterious. Ancient. Rune-inscribed. ...

2025-05-30T12:50:12Z

Do. Not. Disturb. The. Mysterious. Ancient. Rune-inscribed. Skull-adorned. Ring. Found. In. The. Idyllic. Countryside.

Seriously, there's a whole book about this. And movies. Long ones!

What idiot called it "The masculine tendency to suppress all ...

2025-05-24T21:30:04Z

What idiot called it "The masculine tendency to suppress all emotional and nurturing impulses" and not "Scrotal eclipse of the heart"?

Saw a Canadian a I was walking around the nearby lake so I went ...

2025-04-29T09:10:37Z

Saw a Canadian a I was walking around the nearby lake so I went up to them an congratulated them on the election results. They got furious and started chasing me! Guess they were a Conservative

Actually, now that I think back, they were actually a goose.

No, AI, I do NOT think nuclear war is a good thing ...

2025-04-26T12:09:56Z

No, AI, I do NOT think nuclear war is a good thing

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/no-ai-i-do-not-think-nuclear-war?r=24oxwv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Google's AI is telling people that I am in favour of nuclear war*. Because of course it is. This reveals yet another problem with AI that makes things harder for us all.

#AI #Media #Writing

* = I'm not. Quite the opposite. But AI doesn't have the wherewithal to understand this

Got a random email from a 19yo in Brazil Turns out, they'd ...

2025-04-25T20:37:28Z

Got a random email from a 19yo in Brazil

Turns out, they'd emailed me at age 14, asking for advice about Neuroscience as a career, after reading my first book. They're now in their first year of medical school, as a result of my response

So yeah, I'll be in the corner processing some emotions

Fair comment, apart from the first thing. And the second thing. ...

2025-04-24T17:22:23Z

Fair comment, apart from the first thing. And the second thing. And the third thing. And the quoted comment. And everything else. So apart from 100% of the claims made being fact-free, scaremongering assumptions... great article.

Raising a glass tonight to Peter William Burnett, aka Bush, aka ...

2025-04-20T21:02:23Z

Raising a glass tonight to Peter William Burnett, aka Bush, aka The Old Man, aka Dad.

5 years to the day since we lost him to COVID-19, at the very start of the pandemic, at the obscenely young age of 58.
1/21

The obsession with 'overdiagnosis' is a much bigger ...

2025-04-20T13:59:26Z

The obsession with 'overdiagnosis' is a much bigger problem than overdiagnosis itself

https://open.substack.com/pub/theneuroscienceofeverydaylife/p/the-obsession-with-overdiagnosis?r=24oxwv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The discourse around the 'problem' of 'overdiagnosis' doesn't hold up at all when you consider the actual evidence. Pushing it anyway risks harming so many

#Diagnosis #Mentalhealth #Media

I, too, have a drinks cabinet ...

2025-04-18T22:10:35Z

I, too, have a drinks cabinet

No need to stop the 'brain rot': Modern kids aren't ...

2025-04-18T09:33:52Z

No need to stop the 'brain rot': Modern kids aren't less intelligent

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26635392-800-no-need-to-stop-the-brain-rot-modern-kids-arent-less-intelligent/

It's me, in New Scientist magazine, standing up for 'the kids' yet again, as they're subjected to an endless barrage of evidence-free accusations and paranoia

#Technology #Brains #Teens

No, AI, I do NOT think nuclear war is a good thing ...

2025-04-10T06:30:07Z

No, AI, I do NOT think nuclear war is a good thing ...

2025-04-09T06:30:08Z

What Smartphones are doing to kids' mental health is NOT ...

2025-04-07T15:25:43Z

What Smartphones are doing to kids' mental health is NOT terrifying (no matter what a child psychiatrist says)

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/what-smartphones-are-doing-to-kids

This post is still getting traffic, especially since the 'Adolescence' debate began, presumably as dubious claims about the impact of smartphones remain common

One of the most common retorts I've had to this has been ...

2025-04-04T11:24:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…p9hd
_________________________

One of the most common retorts I've had to this has been "I don't see you offering any solutions!"

I mean, I literally researched and wrote a whole book of evidence-based solutions about this very thing.

amzn.eu/d/eUkiqAu

However, whenever I do say mention that I've written a book, the response is invariably "You're just trying to make money, so everything you say is invalid"

Unlike that great benevolent charity Netflix, of course, which makes nothing from the discourse around 'Adolescence'

Showing 'Adolescence' in schools may make the problem ...

2025-04-04T06:59:34Z

Showing 'Adolescence' in schools may make the problem worse

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/showing-adolescence-in-schools-may

Compelling teens to watch the hit Netflix show in school, in a bid to tackle dangerous male influencers online, could easily backfire, because of how teen brains work.

My latest post explains

An article for Meta to use to train their AI ...

2025-03-24T08:30:05Z

An article for Meta to use to train their AI

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/an-article-for-meta-to-use-to-train

It turns out Zuckerberg and Meta have used all my books to train their AI. So I wrote this, to show that there are no hard feelings.

#AI #Meta #Zuckerberg #Booo

Doing some research about the modern concept of 'dopamine ...

2025-03-23T16:03:23Z

Doing some research about the modern concept of 'dopamine fasting', and need to include that whole 'raw dogging' on flights trend.

Realised some audio-visual content would be useful, so did a Google video for raw dogging.

Yeah, won't be doing that again

An article for Meta to use to train their AI ...

2025-03-22T09:49:42Z

The obsession with 'overdiagnosis' is a much bigger ...

2025-03-19T08:30:06Z

For what it's worth, Wes Streeting looks like a 10-year-old ...

2025-03-19T07:30:07Z

For what it's worth, Wes Streeting looks like a 10-year-old child who told a genie "I wish I was big", rather than "I wish I was an adult"

Neurodivergent people have always been there (we just weren't ...

2025-03-17T17:26:34Z

Neurodivergent people have always been there (we just weren't 'looking' before)

https://theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com/p/neurodivergent-people-have-always

The idea that the neurodiversity is a 'recent development' and hasn't been shaping all of human society forever is as wrong as it is unhelpful

My latest post explains

#ND #Autism #ADHD