Brain Games Season 2 Episode 2 It's About Time

It's About Time, the second episode of the second season of Brain Games, explores the fascinating subject of time and how our brains perceive it. The episode begins by posing the question: What is time? It is something that we all experience in our daily lives, but the concept of time is difficult to define. Host Jason Silva explores different theories, such as the idea that time is a unit of measurement created by humans to organize our activities, and the theory that it is a fundamental aspect of the universe.

The episode then delves into the ways in which our brains perceive time. Silva introduces the concept of "brain time," the idea that our brains can manipulate time perception. He explains how our brains can slow down time during intense or dangerous moments, allowing us to react quickly to potential threats, and how time seems to move faster as we get older, due to our reduced ability to experience new things.

Next, the episode explores the concept of multitasking. While many people believe that they are capable of multitasking, research has shown that our brains are actually not wired to handle multiple tasks at once. The episode demonstrates this through a series of experiments, including a driving simulator game in which participants are asked to answer math problems while driving. The results clearly show that our performance on both tasks suffers when we attempt to multitask.

The episode then shifts its focus to the topic of sleep. The importance of sleep for our overall health and wellbeing is widely known, but many people still struggle to get enough rest. The episode explains how our brains provide us with cues about when it is time to sleep, such as the release of melatonin, and explores different tactics to improve sleep habits, such as sticking to a regular sleep schedule and avoiding blue light from electronic devices before bed.

The final segment of the episode explores the concept of time travel. While time travel remains firmly in the realm of science fiction, researchers have been able to manipulate time on a small scale. The episode explores experiments in which researchers were able to slow down time by altering the speed of light, and even send information back in time using quantum entanglement.

Throughout the episode, Silva engages with viewers by challenging them to interactive games designed to test their time perception and cognitive abilities. These games include tasks such as judging how long five seconds lasts, and attempting to count the number of basketball passes made by a group of players, while ignoring a person in a gorilla suit who walks through the scene. These games serve to illustrate the concepts explored in the episode, as well as provide viewers with fun and engaging activities to try on their own.

Overall, It's About Time is a fascinating exploration of the many ways in which our brains perceive time. From the ways in which we experience time in our daily lives, to the concept of multitasking and the importance of sleep, to the theoretical possibility of time travel, this episode offers something for viewers with a wide range of interests. Through engaging interactive segments and clear explanations of complex concepts, this episode is sure to delight and inform Brain Games fans.