BrainBlog

Broadcast on The BBC World Service . Available on podcast here . Body, memory, perception. Gormley, Mayer-Schoenberger, Lotto 14 Nov 09 Thu, 12 Nov 09 Duration: 49 mins "We like nothing better than talking about ourselves so this week’s Forum with Bridget Kendall casts a spotlight on the human brain and human form. One of Britain’s best known sculptors Antony Gormley looks at why we need to peel back our skin in order to understand our own humanity. He also conducts an experiment inviting all BBC listeners to close their eyes and connect with deep space beyond. Information technology professor Viktor Mayer-Schoenberger offers a vista of a future nightmare world where humans may be in danger of losing the capacity to forget as digital memories become so efficient at keeping our data for ever. And we peer inside our brains with neuroscientist Beau Lotto who reveals the illusion of perception and shows - with a little help from bees - why we see the way we do."

The One & Other Antony Gormley project ended today in Trafalgar Square, London. Among the many media reports and summaries of the project, Laura Hickman who represented Chiari Malformation awareness efforts during her hour on the Fourth Plinth has received additional attention. The Times (UK) cites her hour as being on of the best of the 2400 individual hours in the project and says this about her: "Laura Hickman: held up placards carrying the words of 30 sufferers of rare brain condition Chiari Malformation. Has since persuaded the NHS to recognise the condition, started work for Chicago's Chiari Centre Foundation, and plans to open a UK branch of the charity." Excellent work! Here is a link to the full report: Best of the Trafalgar Square plinthers (14th October, 2009).

In the final several days of Antony Gormley's One & Other project on the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square, London, Cara is going to ascend the plinth in support of Multiple Sclerosis awareness. Her plinth hour is 1900 hrs BST, Monday the 12th of October. She writes in her bio: "I thought that this project was an unusual and unique opportunity and so put my name forward. During the hour on the plinth, I am going to try to bring awareness to www.shift.ms - an online community for young people with Multiple Sclerosis. When I was diagnosed with MS, I found the website to be a source of support and reassurance during a weird and shocking time. So, if anyone who is affected by MS, or anyone who'd like to know more about it, you are welcome to become part of the shift.ms community!" Bests wishes, Cara! Cara's plinth hour can be viewed live at http://www.oneandother.co.uk/ . If you miss it live, a refeed of the hour is available on the One&Other website within...

Di Flatt, manager of the fundraising team at Epilepsy Action, has her hour on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square at 1700 hrs, Saturday. She is one of the 2400 taking part in Antony Gormley's One & Other project. You can read about Di and view a refeed of her plinth hour at DiFlatt . You can watch her live at One&Other . Read all about the 60th anniversary of Epilepsy Action .

Thomas G., a member of the Alzheimer's Research Trust , was on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square this afternoon to promote Memories Matter . He was one of the 2400 plinthers of Antony Gormley's One & Other project. Watch Tom and listen to his message at Thomas_G . Take a look at the Trust's Memories Matter website.