Get your BLUEMiND On: Exploring the Neuroscience of Our Emotional Connection to Water, the Sea and Our Natural World

In this public lecture, nationally renowned marine biologist and activist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols speaks on environmental issues tied to the ocean. Nichols discusses his work with sea turtles and the BLUEMiND project, which connects ocean science and cognitive science in an emerging field he terms "neuro-conservation." By mapping how brains work in response to certain events (such as looking at the sea), scientists can help people understand how and why we love the experience. Nichols also discusses the Blue Marbles Project, a non-profit effort committed to using a blue marble as a metaphor for our planet, as well as other projects that incorporate his philosophy of participatory science, social networking/community organizing, and creative communication to inspire a healthier relationship with the sea.