Talking Heads

How Conversation Shapes Us

Author: Shane O'Mara

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Written by a leading neuroscientist and author of In Praise of Walking, this is the first book to explain how, why and what happens when we talkFrom neurons to nations, Talking Heads is a stunning survey of the science of human connection and communication.'Delightfully well-written' IRISH TIMES'Intriguing ... Makes for an enjoyable read' NEW SCIENTIST'Full of good stories' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENTTalking to each other is a primal behaviour. It's a key part of what makes us human. Yet the science of human connection has largely remained a mystery. Only recently have scientific advances allowed us to peer into the purpose of conversations and uncover their extraordinary impact.In this groundbreaking book, the first of its kind written by a leading neuroscientist, Professor Shane O'Mara expertly reveals how talking affects all our lives. What does it mean that we mostly think, and speak, in five-minute bubbles around the present moment? Is the fact that we instinctively trust what others say empowering or a hindrance? And how do our very nations begin as conversations?Moving from the personal to the social and ultimately towards an urgent and radical new perspective on the defining phenomenon of our times, populist nationalism, Talking Heads is the story of how conversation shapes us and constructs our worlds - and how, together, we can talk our way into a better tomorrow.

Critic Reviews

Delightfully well-written, accessible, surprisingly reflecting ... and humorous Niamh Jiménez, Irish Times
Surprising... intriguing... enjoyable New Scientist
In this time of digital disconnection, Talking Heads is a reminder of the enduring power of face-to-face interactions and conversations. It is a thoughtful book that might make you watch what you say Irish Independent
Talking Heads ... is mostly interested in big-picture questions: how intact memory supports our sociality and binds us into collective beings who share collective memories. ... The point O'Mara is most keen to make in his book is that entities such as nations 'begin as conversations'... O'Mara is an entertaining guide, full of good stories Times Literary Supplement
O'Mara delves deeply into the ways we use conversations to create our cultures and build entire nations ... There's a lot in it that resonates Irish Times
Fascinating … The author’s lucid exploration of how we communicate stretches from neurons to nations [and] strikes an informed, accessible tone ... Talking Heads is seasoned with intriguing facts Sunday Business Post
An invaluable perspective. Talking Heads is a fascinating account of a highly complex field, and Shane O'Mara does a grand job of explaining it clearly David Crystal, author of Let's Talk
O'Mara is particularly good in expanding his theme from the minutely personal to the global ... [This is] a book that's accessible to all as well as a fascinating read Connaught Telegraph
Verily enjoyable Trinity News
This is a very important book because it drills down into how we shape realities through conversation and dialogue, including identity, filtering down into bedrock convictions that can result in wars The Quad - Oxford University Alumni Review

PRAISE FOR IN PRAISE OF WALKING

Informative and persuasive enough to rouse the most ardent couch potato - perhaps saving humanity before our lifestyle consumes our brains completely

New Scientist
Convincing and compelling ... In Praise of Walking is peppered with insights Sunday Times
Fascinating The Times
An invaluable perspective. Talking Heads is a fascinating account of a highly complex field, and Shane O'Mara does a grand job of explaining it clearly David Crystal, author of Let's Talk
Informative and persuasive enough to rouse the most ardent couch potato - perhaps saving humanity before our lifestyle consumes our brains completely New Scientist on In Praise of Walking

About the Author

Shane O'Mara is Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. He is Principal Investigator in, and was director of, the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, one of Europe's leading research centres for neuroscience, as well as being a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator and a Science Foundation Ireland Principal Investigator. He is the author of Why Torture Doesn't Work, A Brain for Business and In Praise of Walking.His musings on neuroscience, psychology and life can be found at the substack Brain Pizza.