Mind In The Machine

Consciousness

The Hidden Connection Between Information and Consciousness

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 17, 2025

Science can now explain the connection between information and consciousness. The answer is simpler—and stranger—than you might expect. The key is self-reference.

Science can now explain the connection between information and consciousness. The answer is simpler—and stranger—than you might expect. The key is self-reference.

Cognition

Why the World Was So Fascinated With the Tyson-Paul Fight

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on November 29, 2024

Why did a circus-like exhibition between a social media star and a 57-year-old legend command global attention? The answer relates to our fascination with unpredictability.

Why did a circus-like exhibition between a social media star and a 57-year-old legend command global attention? The answer relates to our fascination with unpredictability.

Environment

The Psychological Benefits of Finding Your Cosmic Purpose

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 1, 2022

The teleological stance is a science-based self-help system that turns your life into a game with a cosmic purpose. Taking this perspective infuses life with meaning and direction.

The teleological stance is a science-based self-help system that turns your life into a game with a cosmic purpose. Taking this perspective infuses life with meaning and direction.

Career

An Intro to Entropy for Neuroscientists and Psychologists

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on May 23, 2022

Entropy is a confusing concept, but it is also extremely useful for quantifying the properties of complex systems like the human brain. This article attempts to demystify the term.

Entropy is a confusing concept, but it is also extremely useful for quantifying the properties of complex systems like the human brain. This article attempts to demystify the term.

Free Will

Free Will Is Real and We Can Lose It

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on April 13, 2022

Previous studies seemed to suggest that humans do not have free will, but those findings were misinterpreted. New work suggests consciousness has causal power.

Previous studies seemed to suggest that humans do not have free will, but those findings were misinterpreted. New work suggests consciousness has causal power.

Neuroscience

The Neuroscience Behind Will Smith's Attack on Chris Rock

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

It's impossible to judge Will Smith's attack on Chris Rock without understanding the relevant neuroscience and psychology—specifically, "amygdala hijack."

It's impossible to judge Will Smith's attack on Chris Rock without understanding the relevant neuroscience and psychology—specifically, "amygdala hijack."

Free Will

Finding the Freedom in Free Will

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on February 10, 2022

According to famous physicists, free will is incompatible with a scientific worldview. New research investigating causal relationships suggests that this assumption may be wrong.

According to famous physicists, free will is incompatible with a scientific worldview. New research investigating causal relationships suggests that this assumption may be wrong.

Fake news and bogus conspiracy theories are running rampant. We can fight them by teaching people to think like scientists.

False Memories

What Makes People Especially Vulnerable to Fake News?

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 30, 2020

It's no secret that fake news and bogus conspiracy theories are a big problem in America. How do we protect ourselves?

It's no secret that fake news and bogus conspiracy theories are a big problem in America. How do we protect ourselves?

Anthropomorphism

Study: Gamblers Risk More When Slot Machines Seem Humanlike

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 29, 2020

Watch out gamblers: research suggests you will take more risks if a slot machine seems more humanlike.

Watch out gamblers: research suggests you will take more risks if a slot machine seems more humanlike.

Religion

Your Brain on God

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

Religion can be addictive just like a drug. Is that a good or a bad thing? It can be both.

Religion can be addictive just like a drug. Is that a good or a bad thing? It can be both.

Bogus conspiracy theories will undoubtedly play a major role in the upcoming presidential election. The question is whether anything can be done about it.

Is the nation's collective narcissism the reason for Trump's popularity and political invincibility? A study suggests a causal link between the phenomena.

Bias

Implicit Racial Bias and Its Effects on Policing

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

Is there systematic racism in policing? Science says yes, but much of it may be implicit and unconscious. The good news is such biases can be detected and perhaps even corrected.

Is there systematic racism in policing? Science says yes, but much of it may be implicit and unconscious. The good news is such biases can be detected and perhaps even corrected.

President Donald Trump

New Study Finds Trump Tweets May Increase Anti-Vaxx Attitudes

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

New research shows that Trump's tweets increase anti-vaxx sentiment among his supporters. This suggests that COVID-19 may be with us long after we have a vaccine.

New research shows that Trump's tweets increase anti-vaxx sentiment among his supporters. This suggests that COVID-19 may be with us long after we have a vaccine.

Religion

Could a "Cosmic Religion" Unite a Divided Nation?

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on June 9, 2020

According to Terror Management Theory, the solution to all the division and chaos is a worldview that unites us all by aligning our common interests—the "Cosmic Perspective."

According to Terror Management Theory, the solution to all the division and chaos is a worldview that unites us all by aligning our common interests—the "Cosmic Perspective."

When people are given a way to see what’s happening inside their head in real-time, they can rapidly learn how to dampen pain, enhance self-control, and boost mental ability.

Social distancing from infected or high-risk family members may soon become necessary for many people. Here's how to be prepared for the psychological effects.

Gaslighting

Some Media Outlets Are Gaslighting Us About Joe Rogan

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on January 25, 2020

Is gaslighting now being used by some media outlets to influence public opinion of political candidates? Intentional or not, we're being told some things that simply aren't true.

Is gaslighting now being used by some media outlets to influence public opinion of political candidates? Intentional or not, we're being told some things that simply aren't true.

President Donald Trump

Why Evangelicals May Be Hardwired to Believe Trump's Falsehoods

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 31, 2019

This brain quirk makes gaslighting particularly easy.

This brain quirk makes gaslighting particularly easy.