About the talk:

Jerzy Vetulani is a Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, professor at the J. Dietla MWSZ in Kraków and, after hours, at the Institute of Pharmacology at the Polish Academy of Sciences. He is a neuropsychopharmacologist with a specific interest in antidepressant and pro-cognitive medication as well as anti-addiction and is also a popular blogger. He will talk about the common neurobiological roots of empathy and aggression, and how the close relationship between these two supposedly different emotions can lead us to destructive behaviour and misguided decisions.

Recorded during: TEDxKraków 2011

About the speaker:

Jerzy Vetulani is a neuroscientist, neuropsychopharmacologist, biochemist, a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Learning, one of Poland’s most frequently-cited scientists, a popular blogger, author, former performer at the famous Piwnica pod Baranami cabaret and founder of a secret society for bug collectors (1946). He’s passionate about the role of the brain and is devoted to popularising the field of neurobiology. And judging by the crowds who regularly turn up to hear him speak, whether at the popular “Gadajacy Pies” open mic nights or at his day-time lectures to students, it’s clear he has a talent for it.

Jerzy’s academic interests include the study of the mechanisms of depression, addiction and memory. He recommends plenty of Scrabble-playing and crossword-solving as good preparation for old age.

A much-loved speaker at TEDxKrakow in 2011, it seems that the feeling was mutual - he arranged his schedule around our conference this year.

Original subtitles: Jerzy Paź (reviewed by Krystian Aparta)

Translated by: Krystian Aparta (reviewed by Anna Obarzanowska)