Memory Masters: Beautiful Minds 1

Synopsis

The human brain is the most mysterious piece of matter on earth. It was just as effective in the middle ages as it is on the Internet. It’s been used to invent symphonies - and to devise violent crimes. Yet it’s only now in the 21st century, with high-tech computers, that scientists have begun to watch the brain while it’s actually thinking.

Their most important discovery is that it’s almost a miracle that this peculiar thing in our heads works at all. But certain miracles are only noticeable when something goes wrong, as it has for a group of less than a hundred people worldwide who display astonishing, almost super-natural abilities. Despite their mental disabilities, they are capable of things for which science is only now beginning to find an answer.

Scientists call these people savants - the "knowing ones". More than half of these mysterious people are autistic. Experts all over the world are now working on the question: Is there a hidden genius within all of us? (52 minutes)

Series

Beautiful Minds

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2007

Year of production

2006

Subjects

Biology; Psychology

Keywords

autism; brain; brain imaging; creative thinking; neurology; scientific investigation; savants

Online availability

URI

http://www.teachers.tv/video/24387

Price

$2.99 (FS)

Delivery

Download

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Price

£20.00 (ES)

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

52 minutes

Year

2007

Production Company

Name

Colourfield International

Sponsor

Name

ARTE France

Email

http://www.arteboutique.com/inputContact.action

Web

http://boutique.arte.tv/ External site opens in new window

Address

STACI
ARTE Boutique 1610
B.P. 59124 - 95074 Cergy Pontoise
France

Notes

An extensive range of programmes broadcast on the French Arte channel, relating to art and culture. Most are only available in French, but some have English audio or subtitles. Sale on Region 2 PAL DVD.

Distributor

Name

Electric Sky

Email

info@electricsky.com

Web

http://www.electricsky.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

01273 224 240

Fax

01273 224 250

Address

1 Clifton Mews
Clifton Hill
Brighton
BN1 3HR

Notes

A company specialising in quality factual television programmes, some of which are available for sale on DVD.

Name

FirstScience

Web

http://www.firstscience.tv External site opens in new window

Name

Teachers’ TV

Email

info@teachers.tv

Web

http://www.teachers.tv/ External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7182 7430

Address

6-18 Berners Street
London
W1T 3LN

Notes

Funded by the Department for Education, Teachers’ TV was a producer and supplier of over 3,600 free videos and lesson resources to support the professional development of anyone working in school, enabling them to widen their skills, develop their practice, and connect with others in the field. Previously broadcast on digital television, the service became exclusively online from 31 August 2010, with programmes being available for free online viewing or download. Thge DfE terminated the contract with Teachers TV and delivery via the website ceased on 29 April 2011, with the programmes being offered to educational distributors free online delivery. Further details from the DfE website Until 29 April 2011 programmes from Teachers Television were streamed on the website and available for download to registered users (free registration). Programmes are aimed at primary and secondary school teachers in all subject areas, as well as headteachers and governors, and include observation of teaching sessions, materials for use in the classroom and discussion of issues relevant to education. Teachers TV was funded by the Department for Education but the contract ended in April 2011 and the programmes are being offered to educational distributors to deliver free at the point of use from their websites. Details of which titles are available in this way are on the DfE website http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/toolsandinitiatives/teacherstv