The Human Brain Is Hardwired To Recognize Faces. But What If You Can't?

Short Wave

Jun 26 2024 • 12 mins

Humans are hardwired to see faces — even in inanimate objects. We have a lima bean-shaped part of our brains dedicated to facial recognition. But this process isn't always straightforward. Science journalist Sadie Dingfelder is one of 10 million Americans who are face blind, or struggle to recognize the faces of people they know. In her new book, Do I Know You? she dives into this, as well as the science of memory and imagination.

Want more episodes on the wonder of the human brain? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

You Might Like

Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
Radiolab
Radiolab
WNYC Studios
StarTalk Radio
StarTalk Radio
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Science Friday
Science Friday
Science Friday and WNYC Studios
The Best of Coast to Coast AM
The Best of Coast to Coast AM
iHeartPodcasts and Coast to Coast AM
Sasquatch Chronicles
Sasquatch Chronicles
Sasquatch Chronicles - Bigfoot Encounters
Something You Should Know
Something You Should Know
Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
Paranormal Mysteries
Paranormal Mysteries
Nic Ryan Media | Unexplained Supernatural Stories
This Podcast Will Kill You
This Podcast Will Kill You
Exactly Right Media – the original true crime comedy network
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | QCODE
Science Vs
Science Vs
Spotify Studios
The Confessionals
The Confessionals
Merkel Media
Blurry Creatures
Blurry Creatures
Blurry Creatures
Real Ghost Stories Online
Real Ghost Stories Online
Real Ghost Stories Online | Paranormal, Supernatural & Horror Radio