Watch Hacking Your Mind

Hacking Your Mind is a fascinating PBS documentary series that delves into the inner workings of the human mind, exploring how we can be manipulated and influenced by various factors in our lives. The show is hosted by the experienced science and technology journalist Jacob Ward, who guides viewers through a series of compelling case studies and real-life scenarios that demonstrate how easily our brains can be "hacked," and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Throughout the series, Ward talks to experts in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and technology to unpack the latest research on how our minds work, how we perceive information, and how we make decisions. Drawing on their insights, he then showcases a range of techniques that are used to influence us, from advertising and marketing to political propaganda and fake news.

One of the key themes of the show is the idea of "brain hacking," which refers to the various ways in which our brains can be tricked into doing things that we might not want to do. For example, the show explores the ways in which social media algorithms are designed to keep us engaged and addicted, by constantly showing us content that we find appealing, and how this can have negative consequences for our mental health.

Another topic covered in the series is the rise of deepfakes, which are videos or images that have been manipulated using artificial intelligence. The show explores how these technologies can be used to deceive people, and how we can learn to spot the signs of manipulation and protect ourselves from being fooled.

Alongside these discussions, the show also features a series of fascinating experiments that highlight how easily our brains can be influenced. For example, Ward showcases a classic experiment in which people are asked to estimate the length of a line, but are then told that their estimate is incorrect, leading them to change their answer to conform with the group. This demonstrates the power of social conformity, and how we can be swayed by the opinions of others.

Similarly, Ward takes viewers through a range of optical illusions and other perceptual tricks that show how our perception can be easily manipulated. These experiments are both fascinating and thought-provoking, and help to reinforce the main thesis of the show – that our minds are constantly being hacked, often without us even realizing it.

Overall, Hacking Your Mind is an engaging and informative series that offers a fascinating insight into how our brains work, and how they can be influenced and manipulated. With a range of compelling case studies and experiments, and insightful commentary from leading experts in the field of neuroscience and technology, this is a show that will leave you with a new appreciation of the power of your own brain, and the need to protect yourself against outside influences that could be harmful.

Hacking Your Mind is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between September 9, 2020 and on PBS Documentaries