Neuroscience and Disinformation

In the framework of the exhibition “Fake News. The power of lies”, the Spanish neuroscientist Rafael Yuste, director of the Center for Neurotechnology at Columbia University and promoter of the BRAIN initiative, invites us to explore the secrets of the human brain and its role in the construction of reality.

Starting with his work “The Brain, the Theater of the World”, Yuste guides us on a fascinating journey through modern neuroscience to discover how eighty billion neurons are organized into networks that allow us to perceive, interpret and anticipate the world around us. His theory of the “Theater of the World” shows us the brain as a prediction machine, capable of constructing an internal version of reality, a mechanism that not only defines our perception, but also makes us vulnerable to manipulation and disinformation.

In this talk, Yuste will address the scientific and philosophical implications of his research, connecting the history of neuroscience with the impact of lies in today's society. Through references to figures such as Ramón y Cajal, Kant or Calderón de la Barca, the author will make us reflect on how knowledge of the brain can help us face the challenges of the 21st century and project a future based on truth and critical thinking.