Response to Diane Rehm

I listened to the Diane Rehm podcast with Michael Gazzaniga. He is the author of the book Who’s in Charge: Free Will and the Science of Brain. Gazzaniga is also a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. During the interview, they mostly discussed his book, which details his research and his views on how social interaction affects our control over our brain. In addition they discussed some of his other research particularly the division of the two hemispheres of the brain. Gazzaniga did well in explaining the science behind his research to his non-academic audience. Rehm also helped by asking him to explain various words or concepts that most people would not understand. I think Gazzaniga findings are interesting, but I think he misses the mark in his conclusion. Although his findings are credible, he stretches them too far to support his claims. He only says the human brain is hardwired but social interaction and responsibility alter our behavior. I believe that we all have innate beliefs from birth, but these are often overshadowed by our experiences in the world. Gazzaniga’s explanation does not show how people from the same environment can take their socialization in different ways. Another part of his interview that interested me was when he discussed the research with babies who are born with brain deformation. When this occurs, the brain evolves and finds alternate ways to carry out the functions that were compromised. If the changes happen later in life the brain has already developed and can not alter its structure to compensate for the malformation.