7. The Science of Imagination: Away from the Here and Now (Part 1)

Close your eyes for a moment. Can you picture an apple? Maybe it’s red and shiny, maybe green and crisp. Now imagine if you couldn’t picture it at all. For some people, imagination comes in dazzling technicolour, while for others, it’s silent and dark. And for all of us, it’s the hidden stage on which so much of life plays out. Whether reminiscing about the past, planning the future, or daydreaming at work, how does the brain pull off this everyday act of detachment from the here and now? In Episode 7 - Part 1 of Leafing Through Science, neurologist Adam Zeman joins Hedi to discuss “The Shape of Things Unseen: A New Science of Imagination”. From the imaginary companions of childhood that help us understand other minds, to inner speech and music, and healthy individuals who hear voices that seem to come from outside themselves, to the sheer prevalence of mind-wandering in almost every activity we do (except one), Adam guides us through the latest science in the strange world of the imagination. Along the way, he reminds us that imagination isn’t just “castles in the sky”; it’s a system that supports memory, emotion, and creativity. Tune in to Part 1 for a clearer picture of what’s going on in your brain the next time a thought pops into your mind. Every two weeks, the podcast series Leafing Through Science brings together host Hedi Young, Champalimaud Foundation neuroscientist and science communicator, with the authors behind some of the most fascinating non-fiction books in the life sciences. From new releases to timeless classics, we explore everything from the mysteries of consciousness and free will, to alien hands and minds under siege. Expect page-turning ideas, head-spinning science, and stories that might just change how you see the world – and yourself. Relevant links: The Shape of Things Unseen: A New Science of Imagination by Adam Zeman https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shape-o... More about Adam: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/1385-ada... (also read Adam Zeman Q&A: https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/...) Chapters: (00:00) Losing the Mind’s Eye (04:05) Defining Imagination (07:10) The Mind’s Eye, Ear, and Fingertip (08:50) What Imagination Is For (11:15) Remembering the Future (13:13) Understanding Other Minds through Imaginary Companions (16:43) A Spectrum of Inner Worlds (18:41) Drifting into Dreams (21:36) Mind-wandering: The Art of Being Elsewhere (25:08) Inner Speech and Voice Hearing (29:13) The Generative Nature of Perception and Imagination (33:37) The Daydreaming Brain Network (37:38) The Autonomous, Spontaneous Brain (40:43) Wrapping Up Episode Credits: Credits Creator & Series Producer: Hedi Young Concept Development & Curation: Ana Rita Mendes, António Monteiro, Carla Emilie Pereira, Catarina Ramos, Diana Cadete, Hedi Young, João Van Zelst, John Lee, Marta Correia, Thaïs Lindemann, Andreia Pinho and Teresa Fernandes Host: Hedi Young Guest: Adam Zeman Graphic Design: Marta Correia Sound Design: João Van Zelst Dissemination: Ana Rita Mendes, Diana Cadete, Thaïs Lindemann and Andreia Pinho