Consciousness

Iain McGilchrist, a former fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, talked about his book The Divided Brain at the RSA in late 2010.

Are we facing a population explosion of ideas, but without enough brains or attention to process them?

Research into brain scanning is advancing fast, and controversial testing includes prisoner interrogation and advertising.

In response to neuroscience and scanning breakthroughs showing effects of isolation, rejection and despair on the brain, researchers have developed the "self-esteem initiative", including video games that aim to trick the brain into forming more positive mental images.

• Consciousness - some are claiming that the world would now benefit from a "second enlightenment".

• Consciousness - some are claiming that the world would now benefit from a "second enlightenment".

• Consciousness - some are claiming that the world would now benefit from a "second enlightenment".