Just a note to let readers know that shortly (morning West Coast, afternoon, East) I will be participating in "AirTalk with Larry Mantle," on public radio. The topic is the ethics of memory modulation - via medications, such as propranolol, that may be able to interfere with the consolidation of fearful associations. (One British headline for a story on the topic reads: "Pill to erase bad memories: Ethical furore over drugs 'that threaten human identity.'") The show is carried on a number of stations, including, in Southern California, 89.3 KPCC, 89.1 KUOR, and 90.3 KPCV. I plan also to address the memory topic in future blog postings. While I'm on the ether: The current and, sadly, final issue of the Washington Post Book World features my review of two books, one focused on neurology and one on psychology, related to the ways we make good and bad decisions. Again, I may return to this topic here, particularly the question of whether neuroscience has any help to offer to people faced with tough choices.
