Brain Games: Season 1

This day and age even our documentaries often get "dumbed-down." Shows about the natural world, for example, are filled with close-ups of extreme snake-handlers or tornadoes, and it often seems that about the only documentaries that capture the general public's fascination are "shark weeks."However, National Geographic's Brain Games is a wonderful exception. Smart and engaging, the three episode series looks at the way our brain works, demonstrating how the brain processes information and stimuli and how that shapes how we look and interact with the world around us. The world is complicated, and our brain works extremely hard to process and make sense of it. Most of the time, it's successful at helping us cope with others and the world around us, but sometimes it fails. And, thanks to recent advances in cognitive science, we are able to examine (and learn from) failure-cases like never before. Sounds complicated and boring, but Brain Games isn't. There are at least 15 interactive experiments that the viewer can participate in throughout each show. These aren't boring math problems, but rather truly interactive experiments; many will leave you in complete surprise when the the results are revealed. (For example, did you manage to notice the error I did in the previous sentence?) If you didn't, it's because our brain is constantly shaping the world around us so that it makes sense to us, and assumed there should only be a single "the" there instead of two.Brain Games doesn't try to cover the implications of the scientific studies they highlight, (and it shouldn't, as that would be an entire series unto itself) but these are of immense importance and have real, practical consequences. Our belief systems are based on the way our brains look at and construct the world, and so, for example, we believed for thousands of years that the sun revolved around the earth. Even now, our common disagreements on contentious, incommensurable issues such as abortion, (Does life begin at birth or conception?), may be traceable at least in part to the way our brains help shape and construct our beliefs.Do yourself a favor and grab this DVD. Brilliant job by National Geographic.

A must have for all Intro or AP Psych teachers. Segments are short enough that they won't dominate a class but can provide clarity as introductory pieces, segues, or recaps. Excellent resource that are easy to work into a lesson plan.

So far I have purchased every season of Brain Games on DVD and they keep getting better! I am a middle school teacher and I show these to my students from time to time. They basically beg me to play them, and I really enjoy them as well. They really make you think and some of the facts really blow all of our minds! I like how when the experts and scientists explain stuff so anyone can understand it, even my 5th graders. Their favorite parts are the illusions and games that they can play along with the DVD. They are a great way to understand the concept and see it in real time. I give Brain Games a HUGE 5 stars!!

My kid really likes Brain Games. He is planning to use some of the things we watched for his science projects.It is even interesting for adults and helps expand knowledge for the young ones.Recommend it for anyone who has kids and wants to exercise their curiosity and knowledge.

Not a bad speaker for the size and price. It produces good quality sound with surprisingly rich base for such a small package at reasonable volume levels. The sound quality tends to diminish at the higher volume levels. The outer rubberized coating will protect the speaker and is a nice touch for anyone traveling or moving it around often. Good speaker for moderateGreat Video! It is interesting and entertaining for everyone from 7 years old to 107 years old. It will transform the way you think about yourself, others, and the world around you. You will start to understand how your brain works and how its amazing strengths can become a hindrance. You will walk away amazed, challenged, and changed.A great resource for trainers, teachers, and homeschoolers.

Great show!

I have never written a review because it takes effort. This one, I want to make an exception.I saw one episode on a flight and was totally hooked. The video is not only informative but interactive. It interacts with the audience and there are things the audience can try out at the same time while watching. It is like being part of a magic performance.My wife and I watched the first season together after I bought it and we loved it! I have since purchased the second and we are really looking forward to it!Strongly recommend it for audience of all ages.

I use the Brain Games from National Geographic as my emergency sub plans. I teach Mathematics in a middle school and this show is perfect for them. It is hard for math teachers as movies are supposed to relate to your content area...I use this to talk about how our brain works and why we learn differently, can focus at certain times, and understand how the brain memorizes. The TIME one is perfect for a math class and always get's kids sucked into the show. The students really get into it and love the little tricks they can play on their families and friends.for a 1.99 a pop....easy choice.

This is a great series and it has examples on the screen that you can try, and most of the time prove how your brain can be tricked.I've bought both series, and both are really interesting.I re-watch them for eveything to sink in :-)

Fantastic fun. My children loved it. And I shared it with my colleagues at a safety meeting highlighting the truths about human attentiveness.

I thought it was going to be more interactive. It was just like watching a documentary on television. If I could return it, I would.

Love the series

As described and fast delivery