How Communication Makes us Human | Thom Scott-Phillips | TEDxCEU

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker, a cognitive scientist by day and a Lindy Hop dancer by night, explores the richness of human communication. They discuss how communication is not just about conveying information but also about expressing intentions, which is a unique aspect of human interaction. Drawing parallels to Edward Hopper's paintings and the dance form, the speaker highlights the diversity and flexibility of communication, which allows us to connect beyond our immediate surroundings and create complex social structures and cultural practices.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The speaker expresses a passion for Lindy Hop, a dance form with origins in African-American communities of Harlem, New York during the swing and jazz era.
• 🧠 The speaker is a cognitive scientist who studies communication, emphasizing the diversity and richness of human communication and its role in making us human.
• 🐠 The script compares human communication to the natural abilities of fish swimming or bats using echolocation, highlighting how ordinary communication is remarkable for humans.
• 🎨 It references Edward Hopper's painting 'Night Hawks' and his philosophy that if he could express something in words, there would be no need to paint it, relating to the idea of non-verbal communication.
• 🤔 The speaker discusses the imperfections in human communication but points out that given its complexity, it's remarkable how often we get it right.
• 📣 Communication is about intentions; we not only have intent but also reveal it to others through our actions and behaviors.
• 🍇 The script uses a berry-eating example to illustrate the difference between providing information and communicating intentions.
• 💡 The idea that communication involves revealing intentions is rooted in the philosophy of language and is a key concept in modern cognitive science.
• 🌐 The speaker suggests that the ability to communicate intentions allows for the flow of information that facilitates the invention of technologies, building of social institutions, and creation of cultural practices.
• 🕺 Dance, especially partner dance like Lindy Hop, is highlighted as a cultural practice that exploits and celebrates the biological and distinctly human aspect of communication through continuous expression and recognition of intentions.
• 👏 The script concludes with applause, indicating the speaker's successful conveyance of the importance and joy of human communication.

Q & A

What is the dance style called that is mentioned in the script?

The dance style mentioned in the script is called Lindy Hop.

Where does the Lindy Hop dance style have its origins?

The Lindy Hop dance style has its origins in the African-American communities of Harlem, New York during the era of swing and jazz.

What does the speaker do by profession?

The speaker is a cognitive scientist by profession.

What is the main focus of the speaker's research in cognitive science?

The speaker's main focus of research in cognitive science is communication.

What is the famous painting by Edward Hopper mentioned in the script?

The famous painting by Edward Hopper mentioned in the script is 'Night Hawks.'

What themes are associated with Edward Hopper's 'Night Hawks' painting?

The themes associated with Edward Hopper's 'Night Hawks' are melancholy, solitude, stoicism, and regret.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of human communication?

The speaker suggests that human communication is diverse, varied, flexible, rich, and often successful despite its imperfections.

What is the key point the speaker makes about intentions in communication?

The key point the speaker makes about intentions in communication is that we not only have intent, but we also reveal our intentions to others.

How does the speaker describe the richness of human communication?

The speaker describes the richness of human communication by emphasizing its ability to free us from the here and now, allowing us to communicate about anything.

What cultural practice does the speaker use as an example to illustrate the concept of communication as a continuous expression and recognition of intentions?

The speaker uses partner dance as an example to illustrate the concept of communication as a continuous expression and recognition of intentions.

How does the speaker relate the concept of communication to the invention of complex technologies and the building of social institutions?

The speaker relates the concept of communication to the invention of complex technologies and the building of social institutions by stating that the ability to express and recognize intentions allows for the flow of information, which facilitates these advancements.