Product Description

THE BRAIN is an astonishing voyage of discovery into our last biological frontier. Although today s computers can make calculations in one-100th of a second and technology can transport us outside the bonds of Earth, only now are we beginning to understand the most complex machine in the universe.

Using simple analogies, real-life case studies, and state-of-the-art CGI, this special shows how the brain works, explains the frequent battle between instinct and reason, and unravels the mysteries of memory and decision-making. It takes us inside the mind of a soldier under fire to see how decisions are made in extreme situations, examines how an autistic person like Rain Man develops remarkable skills, and takes on the age-old question of what makes one person good and another evil.

Research is rushing forward. We've learned more about the workings of the brain in the last five years than in the previous one hundred. This DVD from HISTORYTM brings it all to spellbinding life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8494 in DVD
• Brand: A&E HOME ENT.
• Released on: 2009-02-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

Features

• THE BRAIN is an astonishing voyage of discovery into our last biological frontier. Although today s computers can make calculations in one-100th of a second and technology can transport us outside the bonds of Earth, only now are we beginning to understand the most complex machine in the universe.Using simple analogies, real-life case studies, and state-of-the-art CGI, this special shows how the b

Customer Reviews

Interesting but not what I was looking for
This DVD was interesting but I expected something a little more focused on the workings of the brain. The topics covered are case studies of abnormal brain activity.

You don't have to be a "brain" to understand the brain!!
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"The human brain, one of the last great frontiers...We've learned more about it in the last 5 years than in the last 5,000 years...For the first time, we're actually seeing what's going on in the brain during sex...What makes some brains evil?...And is there really such a thing as ESP [ExtraSensory Perception]?...Technology is finally unlocking the secrets of the brain. It's explaining why we behave the way we do. It's helping experts develop new methods and machines to boost our brain power. And its revealing the untapped abilities that we all have inside our heads."

The above is what the narrator states in the introduction of this interesting documentary that uses simple analogies, real-life case studies, and state-of-the-art computer generated images.

This program is not about explaining detailed anatomy of the brain. Instead it features experts in brain studies (interweaved with narration) explaining a brain-related topic (like those given above: sex, evil, ESP) and brain function while fantastic animations provide an additional look of what's going on in the brain (learned through brain-imaging techniques) at a specific time.

Eleven brain-related topics are discussed. Eight of the topics last between eight and eleven minutes while three of the topics last between four and six minutes.

The last topic is particularly interesting. Discussed is the future of the brain and how technology may interface with the brain to enhance its abilities for all of us.

I was amazed at the scope of what this documentary covers. However, each topic is given brief treatment (as can be inferred from the above times). It feels that we are given a sample of each topic. This documentary provides a good starting point if you want to do additional research into a topic.

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2009) is perfect in picture and audio quality. There are no subtitles but there is closed-captioning. There are no extras.

In conclusion, this is certainly an interesting program and you'll be amazed at some of the new discoveries in brain studies. I leave you with the last words of the narrator:

"For all that we have learned about the brain, we still have so much to discover...If we do manage to answer [many] questions [we still have about the brain] over the course of perhaps one more life time, what will this mean for the brain, an organ that is so complicated yet so often driven by primitive instincts?"

(2008; 90 min; a History Channel presentation; wide screen; 12 chapters)

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Mindblowing
It turns out that a tsunami of blood roars through the male brain during orgasm, but blood flow nearly shuts down to the female brain when she comes. The talking heads interviewed for The History Channel's "The Brain" view this is an adaptation from the savannah portion of human history, when after coupling, she is perfectly free to pass out in exhausted delirium, but he is kept in a heightened state of awareness to scout for prowling jackals and leopards.

A lot of heterosexual strife might thus be avoided if only women realized men pass out soon after coitus exhausted from having protected them from hungry predators. "The Brain" is chock-a-block with such interesting revelations as some of the newest research into the human brain is explored through the use of compelling graphics and well-written, intelligent narrative.

This 90-minute History Channel DVD is riveting entertainment and utterly fascinating. We've learned more about this most complex machine in the universe in the past five years than in the hundred that preceded them. In "The Brain," you'll get caught up on what we now know, and frankly, it will blow your mind!