Finding solace in Murderbot
Why I’ve started describing my feelings in the style of Murderbot, a half-human construct from Martha Wells’s sci-fi series
by Christian Jarrett
Christian is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He also holds a Masters in neuroscience and PhD in cognitive neuroscience awarded through two Medical Research Council scholarships. Christian was the founding editor of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest and an award-winning journalist on The Psychologist magazine. His books include The Rough Guide to Psychology, 30-Second Psychology and Great Myths of the Brain. His latest Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change was awarded the annual book prize by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Christian has written for many international publications such as GQ, Wired, New York Magazine, BBC Future and The Guardian, and he’s answered readers’ questions on psychology and neuroscience for BBC Science Focus for nearly a decade. Christian will never forget holding a human brain in his hands as part of a neuroanatomy class, the grey mass so heavy as if filled still with memories and dreams.
Written by Christian Jarrett
So what if Nike’s neuro shoes are a placebo?
Nike has released a range of ‘mind-altering’ shoes engineered by neuroscientists. They’re probably an elaborate placebo
by Christian Jarrett
A memory hack to help you face your fears
There’s a way to recall past encounters with your fears that could help you feel more confident facing them in future
by Christian Jarrett
Motivation is good, but discipline is better
The Ukrainian boxing champion Usyk’s recent claim that ‘discipline is better than motivation’ was psychologically astute
by Christian Jarrett
How slow breathing calms down your brain
Researchers studied the effect of slow breathing on people’s brain activity while they experienced anticipatory anxiety
by Christian Jarrett
Are you saying ‘thank you’ too effusively?
Research suggests that people who express their gratitude more effusively are judged as lower status and less influential
by Christian Jarrett
Being a dad has made my brain younger
As the father of twins, I could hardly feel more frazzled. But my brain age might paint a different, more youthful, picture
by Christian Jarrett
A way to enjoy more positive mental images
Psychologists have tested a way to seed ‘involuntary positive mental images’ in the brain. You can try it for yourself
by Christian Jarrett
Edited by Christian Jarrett
I’m a philosopher trying to make sense of my dad’s delusions
Philosophers debate whether delusions count as genuine beliefs. My father’s storytelling has made the question more personal
by Matthew Parrott
How to reclaim your attention
Psychological minimalism is a way to clarify your life by cutting the mental noise from your environment and routines
by Yousri Marzouki
Science, serendipity and a new era for schizophrenia treatment
Drug treatments for schizophrenia have barely changed in 70 years, but a mix of chance and ingenuity offers fresh hope
by Jeremy Hall
How to network when you’re socially anxious
Do networking events fill you with dread? Here’s how to manage your fears, show up, and take advantage of the opportunities
by Fallon Goodman
No, willpower isn’t a muscle – here’s a better way to think of it
The muscle metaphor based on ego-depletion theory hasn’t survived scrutiny. But there’s an alternative that holds promise
by Alberto De Luca
How to think differently about procrastination
Avoid the trap of thinking you’re either working or not. A different mindset promises less self-judgment and more progress
by Rebecca Roache
What your mind’s blank moments reveal about consciousness
Scientists are uncovering the nature of an elusive mental experience that challenges what it means to be conscious
by Thomas Andrillon