Mindbending
Dara O Briain and his team of experts explore how much our brains give away about us and discover how illusions and machines can be used to manipulate the mind.
Dara is joined by his regular team and leading science guests Professor Noel Sharkey and Professor Bruce Hood as he looks inside our heads to explore how much we know about our brains and how much our brains give away about us.
Science journalist Alok Jha goes to Pittsburgh to test whether a computer can actually reach into his mind and read his thoughts.
In the studio Dara takes control of Professor Mark Miodownik's brain to demonstrate how illusions and machines can be used to manipulate our minds, and Dr Helen Czerski goes to Texas to investigate a new theory that our weather is being influenced by a mysterious force.
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Clips
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Swarming robots
Duration: 00:51
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Emotional computers
Duration: 01:25
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Playing tricks on the mind
Duration: 02:08
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Mysterious weather forces
Duration: 01:20
Helen's science news
Find out more about the stories featured in Dr Helen Czerski's science round-up.
Are you a super-taster?
Super-tasters experience the five basic tastes, especially bitter foods, with greater intensity. Find out if you have a sensitive tongue by following Mark's simple step-by-step instructions.
Follow @BBCScienceClub
Get an extra helping of surprising facts and links and join the conversation for some really social science.
Guest experts
Joining the team in the studio are Noel Sharkey, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Dara O Briain |
| Expert | Mark Miodownik |
| Reporter | Helen Czerski |
| Reporter | Alok Jha |
| Participant | Noel Sharkey |
| Participant | Bruce Hood |
| Executive Producer | Helen Thomas |
| Series Producer | Kaye Godleman |
| Series Editor | Nigel Paterson |
Why does a magnetised needle face north?
Mark demonstrates how to magnetise a needle in order to create your own working compass.
