Is it possible to read somebody’s mind? Stage mentalists and magicians have entertained audiences for years with feats of telepathy, but can it be done for real? Neuroscientist John-Dylan Haynes describes how scientists can use an fMRI to study the activity inside a patient’s brain, then use that as a fingerprint to deciphering what they are thinking or feeling. The process is in no way exact, but leads to some interesting findings on the nature of free will and decision making.

Image courtesy of Deadstar 2.1; Recorded June 2009; Posted July 2011