Mallorca brain talks: why magic fools the mind
In Palma, Mallorca, four talks from 14 October let people test how the brain makes sense of sight, sound and smell — and why magic can fool it. CaixaForum Palma is hosting the series until 6 November. Each talk starts at 19.00 and includes activities or simple experiments.
Seeing things that are not there
Neurobiologist Conchi Lillo opens the series on 14 October with optical illusions and examples from films and music videos. She will show why the brain can treat an image as real when it is not.
The next talk turns to hearing. Enrique A. López and Enrique Saldaña, both from the University of Salamanca, will explain how the brain gives sounds meaning. People attending can explore the limits of their own hearing and find out why following a conversation in a noisy place takes effort.
Magic, memory and smell
On 28 October, doctor Jordi Camí will use examples of magic to show how tricks play on attention, perception and memory. His talk looks at why the way the brain handles information can leave it open to deception.
Neuroscientist Laura López-Mascaraque closes the series on 6 November with a talk on smell. She will explore how the brain processes odours and why some scents bring back memories or stir feelings. The final session will include sensory activities.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com