In the 1950s, the Australian government decided to address a rabbit infestation by introducing myxomatosis, a disease...
Oscar Forrester
Very Big Brain is written by Oscar Forrester, a researcher and writer with a long-standing fascination with how the brain works. Oscar spent several years working in hospital IT, including on infection control systems, and grew up in a household shaped by medicine — his father was a physician and his mother a registered nurse. He is not a clinician himself, and nothing on this site should be taken as medical advice. What he brings instead is a rigorous, source-first approach to research, honed over two decades of writing (he’s authored numerous published books, primarily on software development), and a genuine curiosity about the science of cognition. Mr. Forrester strives to present complex topics in a clear and engaging manner, making it easy for you to understand and apply the knowledge to your daily life.
Right now, as you read this, there’s probably a voice in your head commenting on the words....
A hummingbird hovers at your feeder and your attention locks completely. A squirrel darts across your path...
The first chord plays, and before the melody enters, someone hums the tune perfectly. They’ve never heard...
You casually mention something from a conversation three weeks ago, and your friend responds, “Actually, what you...
Put on the right music and your scattered attention suddenly sharpens. A specific drumbeat starts and your...
That worn rabbit’s foot in your pocket, the specific shirt you wear for important presentations, the ritual...
Someone whispers in your ear and your entire brain shifts gears. Your attention sharpens, your heart rate...
Some people see a maze and feel a spark of excitement. Others see it and feel immediate...
Watch an animator at a coffee shop, and you’ll notice something peculiar. While everyone else glances at...